Central Vietnam gears up for tourism recovery

Update: 06/10/2021
Several provinces and cities in the central region, including Danang City, Thua Thien Hue and Quang Binh, are planning to welcome tourists again, with a roadmap for both local tourists and foreign travelers.

Visitors at Tinh Tam Lake in Thua Thien Hue Province. Several provinces and cities in the central region are planning to welcome tourists again – Photo: Hieu Truong

The Thua Thien Hue Department of Tourism on October 4 signed an agreement with South Korea’s Smart Media City Company and the Phu Bai International Airport to promote tourism.

Under the deal, several tourism promotion activities will be rolled out, while the relevant sides will support legal procedures for flights from South Korea to Thua Thien Hue. Flights transporting South Korean investors will be launched in the initial stage.

Besides, tours for attending conventions targeting South Korean investors will be arranged in December this year.

Earlier, the Hue Monuments Conservation Center announced that heritage and historical sites would reopen from October 1, asking tourists to follow Covid safety protocols.

Nguyen Van Phuc, deputy director of the provincial Department of Tourism, said that in the first stage, the province will encourage residents to experience its tourism and cultural programs. After domestic flights are resumed, Thua Thien-Hue will welcome visitors from other provinces and cities.

Similarly, Danang City is gearing up by launching tourism products to first serve its residents in December.

The city might welcome tourists from other localities in January 2022 and foreign visitors in June next year.

“Tourism firms are ready to resume operations,” said Cao Tri Dung, chairman of the Danang Tourism Association, adding, “We have worked with the Danang Department of Tourism to reopen the doors to tourists in accordance with a roadmap, from residents and domestic visitors to international travelers.”

Elsewhere, Quang Binh Province will take steps toward the recovery of tourism in two phases, according to the provincial Department of Tourism.

In the first phase from now until the end of 2021, the province will focus on repairing and upgrading tourism infrastructure and improve tours. As for the second phase from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2023, when the pandemic is brought under control, all tourism activities will be restored.

Firms in Quang Binh Province were told to map out detailed plans to serve tourists, including domestic and international ones, and develop new tourism products and services for a new normal stage in a safe manner.

The provincial government will soon issue regulations on criteria for assessing Covid safety in the new normal stage.

By Nhan Tam

Source: Saigon Times