Vietnam tourism: Clear signs of recovery

Domestic tourism flourishes

According to a survey on tourism demand and trends during the COVID-19 period, conducted by the Tourism Advisory Council in collaboration with the Research and Development Department of the private economy in December 2021 with the participation of more than 10,700 people, up to 90% of participants said they want to travel within the next 10 months, of which 53.7% want to travel in the first months of 2022; 45% choose tours lasting 2-3 days; 78% want to go with their families or groups of friends. The number of people booking travel services tends to increase, choosing short-term tours, near destinations, for sightseeing and relaxation purposes.

According to travel agencies, although tourism at the beginning of this year did not increase compared to previous years, it has brought new hope for the recovery of tourism, especially domestic tourism in provinces such as Phu Quoc and Da Lat, Nha Trang, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Quy Nhon, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City and some western provinces; and in the north provinces such as Hoa Binh, Lao Cai, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Son La and Bac Giang. Statistics of the Vietnam Civil Aviation Administration show the frequency of domestic flights in the Lunar New Year of 2022 is about 14,000 flights with 2.7 million seats provided.

Most travel agencies keep stable prices thanks to the close connection with service providers for the common goal of stimulating travel demand. Many stimulus policies and incentives have been applied by tourism businesses to attract tourists. In addition to discounts for customers traveling in groups, from December 20, 2021 to February 28, 2022, Vietravel also offers customers 2,600 Vietravel Airlines domestic round-trip tickets, applied until December 19, 2022.

Vietnam tourism shows clear signs of recovery

Grasping the trend of self-sufficient travel of individual groups and the rise of online booking, many travel companies have launched good-priced travel combos that combine air tickets, hotel rooms, etc. Saigontourist Group cooperates with Vietnam Airlines to open a sale combo "Spring travel to bring fortune". With the price of only VND2.68 million, visitors can have the opportunity to own round-trip air tickets of Vietnam Airlines and a three days / two nights stay at the 4-5 star hotel and resort system of Saigontourist Group.

To ensure the safety of visitors, many travel agencies also add a COVID-19 insurance item. Vietravel's representative said that the domestic travel insurance package of Vietravel customers is extended to insurance terms related to COVID-19 with a maximum cost of up to VND60 million/person/case. To ensure the interests of tourists with unexpected problems such as suddenly becoming F1 or F0 during the pandemic season, some travel agencies have also developed flexible options such as changing attractions, or saving tour and service costs so that visitors can participate when it is convenient.

Reopening all international routes

Vietnam Airlines officially announced that it will start reopening all international regular routes to countries from February 15, after nearly two years of closure.

Bridge pagoda in Hoi An

In order to prepare for international travel before March 31 under the direction of the Government, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam decided to lift the restriction on operating frequency with international routes. All flights are back to normal as before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Passengers entering Vietnam will have to meet the conditions prescribed by the Ministry of Health. When boarding, guests need to have a certificate of negative PCR test for COVID-19, valid for 72 hours; and vaccination certificate/vaccine passport or certificate of recovery from COVID-19.

After getting off the plane, passengers who have been vaccinated or have recovered from the disease will be isolated at home for 3 days; If they have only a single dose, they will have to quarantine at home or place of residence for 7 days. Passengers who are not vaccinated or have not been confirmed to recover from the disease will have to have a certificate of eligibility for facilities and equipment to ensure medical isolation at home, or confirmation of a hotel reservation (minimum 7 days). When passengers check in, the airline will check these documents.

Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh province

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, passengers on entry can use vaccine passports (if any). This is a tool to prove passengers are fully vaccinated. If you do not have a vaccine passport, you can use a hard copy as usual.

With a high vaccination rate, along with a signal of prosperity on the occasion of the New Year and a policy to attract international visitors, tourism experts expect that tourism will have the opportunity to accelerate the holiday period April 30 -May 1 and the upcoming summer tourist season.