Safe reopening creates opportunities for Vietnam's tourism recovery
The Government has agreed with a proposal of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and other public agencies on safely reopening tourism activities by air, road and sea in a new normal condition starting March 15.
Tourists at the Golden Bridge in Da Nang's Ba Na Hills tourist area. (Photo: VNA)(Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Government has agreed with aproposal of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and other publicagencies on safely reopening tourism activities by air, road and sea in a new normalcondition starting March 15.
The ministry is now completing its related plan forsubmission to the Government and the Prime Minister as soon as possible,creating favourable conditions for both tourists and local services providers.
General Director of the Vietnam National Administration ofTourism (VNAT) Nguyen Trung Khanh said the opening of tourism needs to ensure COVID-19 prevention and control. In Vietnam, the vaccine coverage is high, but it is still necessary to pay attention tothe risk of emergence of new strains.
Khanh said he had asked the Prime Minister to allow theapplication of the visa policy for visitors to Vietnam as done before 2020,considering it a very favourable condition to attract international visitors andcreating competitiveness for the tourism sector.
Regarding "vaccine passport", not manycountries have so far recognised Vietnam’s vaccination certificate, making itdifficult to bring Vietnamese tourists abroad and causing imbalance ininternational air transport. Therefore, more negotiations are needed for the industryto access more abundant and better sources of tourists.
Tourists visit Hanoi by double-decker bus. (Photo: VNA)
To ensure the recovery of Vietnam's tourism, it is necessaryto improve the quality of products, facilities, and human resources. The VNATwill propose training and re-training programmes for tourism workers as well asthe extension of support policies, particularly in terms of finance and credit,for businesses and employees in the industry.
Khanh said that the EU Delegation to Vietnam has recentlyassisted 15 Vietnamese cities and provinces in assessing competitiveness oftourist destinations based on different criteria. This is an opportunity for thoseinvolved to review and have solutions to improve the competitiveness of their localtourism in the coming time.
The VNAT unveiled that it will continue to vigorouslyimplement the "Live fully in Vietnam" communication campaign,especially on digital platforms; participate in major international tourismfairs in key markets; and work with Vietnamese representative agencies abroadto spread information on Vietnam's tourism./.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has proposed the Government resumes pre-pandemic waivers of visas for tourists from 24 countries when the country restarts international tourism.
Hanoi is going step by step to completely resume tourism activities in 2022 with the aim of welcoming 9 – 10 million tourists, including around 2 million foreigners, according to the municipal People’s Committee.
The northern province of Quang Ninh, home to UNESCO-recognised Ha Long Bay, will launch a campaign on safe tourism in mid-March when Vietnam fully reopens its borders to foreign tourists.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
Tourists at the Golden Bridge in Da Nang's Ba Na Hills tourist area. (Photo: VNA)(Photo: VNA) 
Tourists visit Hanoi by double-decker bus. (Photo: VNA) 
