Hanoi (VNA) –🥃 The mobilisation of social resources for tourism infrastructure has helped Vietnam’s tourism strengthen its position in the new period.

Vietnam’s tourism infrastructure has seen various changes over the past two decades. The Government has once pointed out bottlenecks of the sector, namely asynchronous infrastructure, poor management of tourist destinations, and tourism development not in combination with environmental protection. Vietnam’s tourism development strategy to 2020, with a view until 2030, which was approved by the Prime Minister, points out the key viewpoint that is to focus more on quality. The mobilisation of social resources for tourism infrastructure has helped Vietnam’s tourism strengthen its position in the new period.

The Government’s guidelines

Both Vietnam’s tourism development strategy and a master plan on tourism development to 2020, with a view to 2030, set a target of turning tourism into a spearhead economic sector with an increasing share in the country’s gross domestic product (GDP), serving as momentum for socio-economic development. Accordingly, the sector has exerted efforts to further bolster quality and competitiveness. Tourism officials suggested placing priority on financial resources, promoting effectiveness of tourism promotions, application of information technology, and creating optimal conditions for entry. For its part, the Vietnam National Administration for Tourism (VNAT) is to improve tourism infrastructure, charms of tourism, environmental sustainability, safety, sanitary and human resources development. With a coastline of more than 3,000 km, 125 beaches, thousands of natural landscapes and cultural relics, if infrastructure improves, Vietnam’s tourism is expected to flourish, VNAT Deputy General Director Ha Van Sieu affirmed. The tourism sector witnessed a remarkable growth in the past 5-10 years. In 2010, Vietnam had only 43 five-star hotels and resorts with nearly 11,000 rooms, and 110 four-star establishments with almost 14,000 rooms. The figures surged to 152 (52,000 rooms) and 276 (37,000 rooms) eight years later. Foreign tourist arrivals rose 2.3-fold to 18 million from 7.9 million during the 2015-2019 period, recording an average growth of 22.7 percent a year. Meanwhile, the number of domestic tourists increased 1.5 times to from 57 million to 85 million during the reviewed period. Tourism revenues swelled 2.1-fold, from 355 trillion VND to 755 trillion VND (32.65 billion USD) in the period, while the sector’s competitiveness index leaped 12 places to the 63rd spot in 2019. Vietnam is ranked among 10 countries with the fastest tourism growth in the world.

Impressive milestones

For tourism infrastructure to develop in a more sustainable manner, the participation of major investors is vital. After the government granted permissions to major investors such as Vingroup, Sun Group, FLC and Vina Capital, among others, various entertainment complexes at key tourists destinations were built, including Vinpearl Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Ha Long; and cable car systems in Da Nang, Sa Pa and Ha Long. Many major international tourism brands have come to Vietnam, such as Accor, Marriot, Hyatt, Intercontinental, HG and Four Seasons, which have helped improve the country’s tourism management and quality. These brands also helped Vietnam obtain international and domestic prestigious tourism awards. Vietnam has been named as Leading Heritage Destination, Leading Cultural Destination, and Leading Culinary Destination of Asia at the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA) 2020. Of note, the country surpassed many others with recognised heritage tourism like China, Thailand, Cambodia and India to win such prizes. National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines brought home the “World’s Leading Cultural Airline” title, along with the World’s Leading Airline - Premium Economy Class, and World’s Leading Airline – Economy Class. Although Van Don airport has not been operational for a long time, it was honoured with the “World’s Leading Regional Airport.” The Ha Long International Cruise Port clinched the Asia's Leading Cruise Port.

New prides

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the tourism sector still gained such remarkable achievements, said Nguyen Cong Hoan, General Director of Flamingo Redtour. He added that tourism has received due attention from the Party, Government and state agencies. More importantly, public awareness of tourism has completely changed, especially after recent “waves” of COVID-19. Vietnam has emerged as one of a few destinations in the world that could resume domestic tourism at an early time. At the National Tourism Conference 2020 held in late November, Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) spoke highly of the Vietnamese Government’s vision as the establishment of the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control and border closures have contributed to saving lives. As domestic tourism has been resumed, he voiced his belief that Vietnam will continue to be a role model for responsible leadership. Luxurious resorts boasting impressive architecture have been built across the country, which are a draw to an increasing number of holidaymakers./.