Phu Quoc ready to serve international tourists

Phu Quoc island in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang now stands ready to welcome tourists with the resumption of business and entertainment activities.

So far, 17 accommodation facilities, including those run by Vinpearl, CEO Group, Sun Group, MIK Group, the Shell and Mercury, along with major travel firms such as Saigontourist, Viettravel Phu Quoc and Jonhs Tours Phu Quoc as well as seven entertainment centres have joined “COVID-19 Vaccine Passport” programme.

A representative from four-star Saigon-Phu Quoc Resort said that all the staff of the facility have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and received skill training on ensuring safety for visitors and dealing with arising problems related to the pandemic.

Bui Quoc Thai, Director of the Department of Tourism of Kien Giang, said that the pilot plan to welcome back international tourists to Phu Quoc is divided into two phases.

In the first phase from November 20, 2021 to March 20, 2022, the island aims to serve about 5,000 visitors each month, he said, adding that there is no limit ation on the number of passengers. The destination will receive foreign tourists from countries with high level of pandemic safety such as those in Europe, the Middle East, Northeast and Southeast Asia, and Northern America.

International tourists can enter Phu Quoc via charter flights and visit destinations that they registered before arriving. They have to show their COVID-19 vaccination certificate with the second shot injected within 14 days but not more than 12 months until the entry date, said Thai. He said tourists should also give their negative RT-PCR testing result against SARS-CoV-2 that is valid within 72 hours before the departing time.

Thai said that all tourism and entertainment facilities in the island are ready to serve visitors who will also enjoy various promotion programmes from businesses participating in the “Vaccine Passport Programme”.

Phu Quoc is among five localities that implement the pilot scheme to welcome international tourists. The remaining destinations are Khanh Hoa, Quang Nam, Da Nang and Quang Ninh.

Meanwhile, Da Lat city in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong has become bustling again with a large number of visitors.

The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism on November 2 reported that in three days from October 29-31, the locality welcomed 2,606 visitors who stay for nearly two days on average.

In recent days, checkpoints in entrances to Lam Dong from Ho Chi Minh City and southeastern localities reported more than 2,100 vehicles entering the province, showing good signs in tourism recovery./.