Hanoi (VNA) – As Vietnam has not yet opened its doors to internationaltourists, tourism enterprises in Hanoi are devising plans to welcome backdomestic tourists. Unique and attractive products are being developed and manystimulus programmes will be launched to ensure safety for tourists and thoseworking in the industry.

Phung Quang Thang, Director of Hanoitourist Company, said the unit isconducting a survey on tourism products in Hanoi and some localities that aredoing well in pandemic prevention and control as well as studying their tourismpolicies to organise tours to safe destinations with a view to better servingdomestic holidaymakers.

Many businesses are also tapping the city's tourism advantages to build uniqueand attractive products, with a focus on cultural ones. Trinh My Nghe, Directorof ITC International Travel Company, said ITC cooperates with a number oftravel companies to develop such tours as "One day discovering Hanoi"and "Discovering Autumn in Hanoi".

It is difficult to attract visitors without good products, Nghe said, stressingthe need to improve the quality of tourism services to creating synchronisationand professionalism.

The Hanoi tourism sector also concentrates on prioritising improving thequality of cultural and heritage destinations, craft and ancient villages toenhance their competitiveness. The industry plans to expand the development ofagricultural,community-based and health care tourism as well as promote MICE(Meeting Incentive Conference Event) tourism associated with hosting majorevents.

TheHanoi Department of Tourism also asked relevant agencies to form attractive andspecialised tourism products and services to create new experiences, meetingthe needs and tastes of holidaymakers in the new normal situation.

Given the high risk of possible COVID-19 outbreaks, meeting the pandemicprevention and control requirements and ensuring safety for visitors and thecommunity remain a priority.

Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Temple of Literature’s Centre for Scientific andCultural Activities, said the centre has always paid attention to COVID-19control rules. Hand sanitisers are placed at ticketing points, entrances andother locations for visitors to use once the tourism activities are resuming.The centre’s staff will remind visitors to wear masks and they are told toseriously implement pandemic prevention and control for their safety, he said.

According to Tran Trung Hieu, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department ofTourism, businesses and tourists will have to actively comply with safe tourismstandards and products.

Currently, the city is finalising scenarios of economic activity in line witheach pandemic situation, he said, adding that tourism companies should closelyfollow these scenarios./.