Year-end peak season: Opportunities for Vietnam’s tourism breakthrough

As the peak season for international visitors approaches, Vietnam's tourism sector has devised plans to accelerate growth and exceed year-end targets.

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A nighttime photo of Da Nang by photographer Tran Tuan Viet will be displayed as part of a program at the end of this month to promote the image of Vietnam in the US. (Photo courtesy: Tran Tuan Viet)

Hanoi (VNA) - After the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam's tourism received significant attention and direct guidance from the Prime Minister, with support from related ministries and sectors. This has helped the entire industry gradually recover.

One of the most critical highlights during this period was the government's policies supporting businesses and localities in developing new service products that meet tourist demand. Notably, improvements in visa policies and extended stay durations have created favorable conditions for international travelers.

As a result, in the past eight months, Vietnam attracted over 11.4 million international visitors, with estimated revenue reaching 586.1 trillion VND (23.8 billion USD). These figures surpassed the same period in 2019, marking a positive trend amidst global economic challenges.

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Director General of the National Authority of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh (Photo: VNA)

Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director General of the National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), pointed out that as the country prepares for the peak international tourism season (from October to April), there is a solid foundation for achieving further growth in attracting international tourists. The goal is to reach 18 million international visitors, 110 million domestic tourists, and total revenue of 680 trillion VND (27.7 billion USD).

In line with the national tourism development strategy, clear guidelines have been established for markets, regions, and localities. The recently approved masterplan for Vietnam's tourism system, with a vision to 2045, emphasizes that localities should focus on developing unique tourism products and high-quality services based on their strengths and potential.

Khanh stated that each year, VNAT sets up official guidelines to promote tourism. In addition to promotion programs by localities, VNAT encourages them to collaborate in promoting tourism at international fairs and roadshows both domestically and abroad, he added.

Additionally, the Authority has advised the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism to issue documents requesting that State tourism authorities and localities enhance destination management, ensure the safety and security of tourists, and maintain service quality to prevent incidents.

As a leading locality in tourism, Da Nang has become a model "locomotive" for Vietnam's tourism industry. The experiences of this city are being shared and will help guide other destinations in leveraging their unique strengths.

Cao Tri Dung, Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association, shared that Da Nang has welcomed 7.8 million visitors, including 2.8 million international tourists, with an estimated revenue of 23.355 trillion VND (951.6 million USD). In comparison, during the peak year of 2019, the city served about 8.7 million tourists.

This year, Da Nang expects to welcome 9.8 million visitors, including over 4 million international tourists. Local leaders are optimistic about the return and growth of major traditional markets such as the Republic of Korea, China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India, and Europe.

Da Nang’s tourism represents a constantly refreshed product ecosystem, numerous events, and a rich, premium service system. Dung said he hopes in the last three months of 2024 and into 2025, Da Nang will continue to see sustainable growth in both domestic and international visitors.

The city's tourism businesses frequently advertise on platforms aimed directly at potential customers. As tourists increasingly seek information and book services directly, Da Nang has quickly adapted to this trend.

From approaching customers through intermediaries, Da Nang also wants to expand direct promotion efforts to reach end-user customers. With the convenience of ideal destination information, competitive pricing, and direct booking services, tourists will continue to return to Da Nang, Dung noted./.

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