HÀ NỘI — Along with the policy of safe and effective control of the pandemic, Viet Nam's tourism sector continues to prepare solutions to recover and adapt to the new normal.

Recently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has sent the Government a proposal to completely open international tourism, including welcoming foreign tourists to Viet Nam and allowing Vietnamese tourists to travel abroad from March 31.

From now until March 30, Viet Nam will continue to implement phase 2 of a pilot programme to welcome international tourists, but it is proposed to expand to localities in which residents have received the 3rd dose of the vaccine and low-risk areas.

Under the pilot programme, international tourists can visit seven localities including Phu Quốc island (Kien Giang Province), Khanh Hòa, Quảng Nam, Đa Nẵng, Quảng Ninh, Bình Định Province and HCM City.

Travellers need proof of double dose of vaccination or that they have recovered from COVID-19 within 6 months and a negative RT-PCR certificate within 72 hours before departure. Visitors are only allowed to participate in tourism activities in package tours registered in advance. On the 7th day of the itinerary, if the traveller has tested negative for COVID-19, they can continue to travel to other locations that have been approved for international arrivals.

In addition to ensuring safety, many localities across the country are also preparing to open many tourism programmes and activities to welcome international guests.

To adapt to the new situation, museums, parks, eco-tourism areas and cinemas in Ha Noi have been allowed to open. Historical sites are also gradually reopening. Notably, Hương (Perfume) Pagoda, a famous spiritual tourist destination of the capital, will welcome tourists back from February 16.

Ha Noi Department of Tourism also works with relevant units, airlines and travel businesses on preparing conditions for reopening, recovering and developing tourism. Accordingly, businesses are ready to welcome tourists back, first domestic, then international travellers.

In Đa Nẵng, the city's Department of Tourism has made plans to promote the city’s tourism in the new normal state with two main messages: "Đa Nẵng Now Open" and "Enjoy Đa Nẵng".

Cao Trí Dũng, chairman of the Đa Nẵng Tourism Association, said in an interview with Tuổi Trẻ (Youth) newspaper that local businesses and airlines had discussed building plans to promote and stimulate tourism in Đa Nẵng.

It is expected that the stimulus package will be launched around the end of February 2022. The plan will focus on attracting domestic tourists from March and attracting international visitors from April 2022. To welcome guests back, Đa Nẵng People's Committee has agreed with the proposal of the Department of Tourism to allow the reopening of some tourist services such as spas, massage parlours and karaoke venues.

In Quảng Nam, a pilot plan to welcome international visitors has been implemented since November 2021. During the recent Lunar New Year holiday, the province also welcomed 60,000 domestic visitors, which tripled the number of tourists in the same period in 2021.

In addition, Quảng Nam is focusing on the opening event of the National Tourism Year on March 25 and dozens of events throughout 2022.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Đoan Văn Viet said the local tourism industry needs to focus on solutions to ensure the safety of destinations and visitors; strengthen tourism advertising and promotion; develop a variety of new products, thereby, responding to new market trends. Along with the guidance and timely support from the Government, Viet Nam's tourism sector is expected to recover strongly while adapts flexibly to the COVID-19 pandemic. VNS