Lessons learnt from first localities welcoming international tourists back

Hanoi (VNA) – The first delegations of international tourists to Vietnam under the Government's "vaccine passport" pilot programme arrived in Da Nang, Quang Nam and Phu Quoc last week. This "ice-breaking" move of the tourism industry and localities shows the efforts and good start of the Government’s policy of safe pandemic prevention and control and effective economic development.

The experiences of these localities will become lessons for others to continue perfecting their plans to welcome international visitors in the coming time.

"First shot" from the central region

Vice Chairman of Quang Nam People's Committee Tran Van Tan said that in order to prepare to welcome tourists under the "safe and flexible adaptation and effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic" conditions, the province has selected three units, namely Hoiana, TUI Blue Nam Hoi An, Vinpearl Nam Hoi An, to provide accommodation services. The local government will create all favourable conditions for tourists to have a comfortable and safe tour and experience amidst the pandemic, he affirmed.

After the first days of serving visitors from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany and the Republic of Korea, representatives from the resorts shared that all tourist activities were on schedule. All of them were very cooperative and complied with pandemic prevention and control safety.

During the 7-day tour in Quang Nam, in addition to diverse activities in the resort, visitors can choose to swim, play golf on the resort premises, and visit Hoi An ancient town and My Son Sanctuary.

Earlier, to prepare to welcome tourists back, local people and businesses embellished and "warmed up" the ancient town by reopening shops and lighting lanterns to contribute to building the image of a safe and friendly Hoi An and Vietnam.

Tan affirmed that if any international tourists test positive, Quang Nam also has a prompt response plan with a resort designated to monitor, quarantine and treat patients. In case the pandemic gets worse, the province also has a plan for timely treatment.

To the "first shot" of the South

Chosen as a pioneer in the “vaccine passport” pilot programme to welcome international visitors, Phu Quoc had to be very cautious in the preparation process. This is because the local pandemic situation was quite complicated right before the reopening of its door.

As many as 204 tourists from the Republic of Korea landed on Phu Quoc in the southern province of Kien Giang at noon on November 20, marking the first group of foreign visitors to the resort island in the “new normal” period after nearly two years of closure.

During their four-day stay, these Korean visitors will be accommodated at an exclusive facility away from the community and activities of other tourists. They will take the second COVID-19 test on the last day of their stay.

Speaking at a welcoming ceremony, Director General of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration Nguyen Trung Khanh described the event as an important milestone marking a new step in the efforts to restore the tourism industry.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of the Kien Giang People’s Committee Nguyen Luu Trung expressed his belief that, with dynamism and close collaboration among enterprises, Phu Quoc will be able to welcome up to 400,000 visitors, both Vietnamese and foreign, from now to the end of this year.

It is expected to serve at least 20 flights a month in the time to come.

Vietnam is implementing the “Live fully in Vietnam” campaign with a hope to revive the tourism industry.

Fully vaccinated travellers from 72 countries with vaccination certificates recognised by Vietnam, who hold vaccination certificates or COVID-19 recovery certificates and having negative RT-PCR test for COVID-19 within 72 hours of departure, are now welcomed to these destinations. Children under 12 years of age are not required to have certificates of vaccination./.