What Phu Quoc prepares for tourism recovery in October

Hanoi (VNA ) - “The reopening of the market must be ensured with a clear roadmap. At first, it is advisable to choose and arrange visitors to stay at a number of large resorts, then expand to other areas and types of accommodation throughout Phu Quoc city."

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung made the affirmation at an online conference taking place on September 9 between this unit and the People's Committee of Kien Giang province on a pilot plan to welcome international tourists to Phu Quoc.

Choosing visitors from highly safe countries

According to leaders of the tourism industry, Phu Quoc (Kien Giang province) will be piloted to welcome international visitors for a period of 6 months, expected from October 2021. It is worth mentioning that this is an "open plan." Depending on the actual situation, management units will adjust the reasonable time. Currently, this pilot plan has been sent by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to relevant ministries and agencies for comments.

Director General of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration Nguyen Trung Khanh said that the subjects to be piloted are international tourists who have a certificate of full dose of COVID-19 vaccine recognized by competent authorities in Vietnam; time for injection 2 is at least 14 days and not more than 12 months from the time of entry.

In case the traveler has a history of COVID-19 infection, it is necessary to certify that he has recovered from the disease which is recognized by the competent authority in Vietnam; must be tested for SARS-CoV-2 virus by RT-PCR/RT-LAMP method within 72 hours before entry and certified by the competent authority of the country conducting the test (in English) with the negative results and registered to participate in the package tour programme of the travel agency.

Minister Nguyen Van Hung said: "With the policy of piloting international visitors to Phu Quoc with vaccine passports approved the Politburo and under the Government's direction, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has urgently developed a pilot plan to welcome international tourists to Phu Quoc and worked with relevant agencies.”

Minister Hung also affirmed that the ministry will be very careful in reopening the international tourist market, so as to ensure the prevention and control of COVID-19 without disrupting tourism activities. When reopening, the safety of both residents and visitors must be ensured.

The Ministry will assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with concerned ministries and branches in selecting international tourist markets from countries and territories in the pilot phase according to the criteria of potential and high safety in terms of prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic, such as: Northeast Asia, Europe, the United States, the Middle East, Australia...

With this pilot program, international visitors will be allowed to enter by air via charter flights or commercial flights.

Strengthening vaccination for locals is necessary

In the draft of the pilot plan to welcome international tourists to Phu Quoc, Kien Giang province needs to prepare human resources, material resources, medical equipment and supplies, and strengthen the testing capacity.

In particular, localities need to coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in selecting businesses, accommodation establishments, destinations and service establishments eligible to participate in the pilot programme; develop a separate pilot plan to welcome international tourists to Phu Quoc and implement it in the locality; organize information, communication and dissemination of information related to the pilot plan and set up a working group to implement this pilot plan.

Chairman of the City People's Committee Huynh Quang Hung said: "There is no other way, we have to live with the epidemic. Phu Quoc is fully qualified to welcome guests back with 25,000 hotel rooms, of which 15,000 5-star standard rooms, many high-class entertainment areas, urban areas, and shopping centres have also been formed. … meeting the needs of visitors.”

However, the prolonged pandemic has seriously affected all aspects of the island's social life. Currently, Phu Quoc has only vaccinated 35% of people aged 18 and over and needs 250,000 to 300,000 more doses. Therefore, local leaders affirmed that if there are enough vaccines, within 15-20 days, Phu Quoc can ensure to welcome visitors in October, otherwise it may face difficulties.

Since the appearance of the COVID-19 epidemic, Phu Quoc has only had 5 infected cases but now they have been fully recovered, and 50% of F1 are in isolation. The city strictly controls the epidemic. The city has arranged 4,356 beds for concentrated quarantine.

“It is necessary to specify whether visitors to Phu Quoc must be isolated and if yes, how many days will they be isolated? Phu Quoc has many separate resorts that can ensure safe pick-up and isolation at the accommodation. Pick-up needs to be carefully arranged to ensure the safety of both residents and tourists,” said Mr. Huynh Quang Hung.

Thus, up to this point, Phu Quoc is ready to "open up", but it is necessary to speed up and strongly vaccinate people and workers directly involved in providing tourism services./.