Before the pandemic outbreak, Vietnam tourism witnessed a breakthrough growth in the period 2015 - 2019. That international visitor arrivals increased 2.3 times was the fastest growing globally according to the report of the World Tourism Organisation. Tourism contributes directly 9.2% of GDP. Vietnam tourism is honoured to receive various prestigious international titles and awards such as World's Leading Heritage Destination, Asia's Leading Cultural Destination,...
However, the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 seized tourism activities globally, including Vietnam. Tourism and aviation were the first industries to get beaten up harshly. The number of international visitor arrivals to Vietnam in 2020 decreased by 79.5% and the total tourism receipts downed by 58.7% - a decrease equivalent to about USD19 billion.
Confronting the above situations, Vietnam Tourism has taken some necessary actions so as to minimise the damage caused by the pandemic.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) proactively proposed to the Government and the Prime Minister to issue policies to support businesses and workers in the tourism industry, who are affected by the pandemic. At the same time, the MOCST issued guidelines for localities and businesses to adapt safely, flexibly and effectively control the pandemic in the field of tourism.
The Government agreed with the proposal of the MOCST and relevant ministries and agencies to fully resume tourism activities which means restoring measures and immigration procedures for foreigners and Vietnamese residing overseas as before the pandemic from 15th March 2022, including visa exemption for citizens of 13 countries to enter Vietnam regardless of passport types and entry purposes.
In order to carry out the safe and effective opening of tourism, localities have been asked and guided to urgently prepare for the reopening of tourism, which focuses on ensuring safety, implementing tourism stimulation programmes, developing products, improving service quality, upholding promotion activities, supplementing human resources and strengthening inspection and examination.
Media campaign “Live fully in Vietnam’' - held by the MOCST and the whole industry has been promoting Vietnam’s outstanding values of culture, heritage, landscapes as well as premium services of Vietnam tourism, offering visitors a full experience in Vietnam. Through the implementation, the campaign has received enormous support and great appreciation. Besides, promoting digital transformation and technology application to improve the efficiency of promotion activities as well as ensuring safe tourism have been carried out. In particular, upholding image and brand promotion of Vietnam’s tourism nationally and internationally via digital platforms such as websites and social networks; organising and participating in international tourism programmes, events and fairs to reconnect with tourist markets, targeting key markets such as Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, USA, Europe, Australia; deploying programmes to promote Vietnam's tourism on major international media channels such as CNN, CNBC,etc.
Travel service businesses are guided to strictly implement the registration and safe declaration of COVID-19 on the online system and encourage visitors to use and install the “Vietnam Safe Travel” app while travelling in Vietnam. Together with the attention from the Government, the close and effective coordination of ministries, branches, localities, the business community, the support of the whole society, with a proactive and creative manners, believing that Vietnam's tourism industry will open up successfully, creating momentum for a strong recovery, worthy of being a spearhead economic sector of the country.
