More than 9,000 tour guides out of work because of the pandemic have been given financial support by the government.
A tour guide (right) helps a tourist get off the boat at Trang An Eco-tourism Complex in northern Ninh Binh Province before the pandemic struck. VNA/VNS Photo
By the end of October this year, 9,294 guides nationwide received cash with a total value of almost VND34.5 billion (US$1.5 million) to help them overcome difficulties brought by the pandemic, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Statistics from the ministry showed that localities received 10,762 applications for support from tour guides affected in accordance with Prime Minister’s Decision No 23/2021/QD-TTg. Of these, 9,294 applicants were deemed to be eligible for support.
Localities with the largest number of tour guides receiving help are Da Nang, Ha Noi, HCM City, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Ninh and Khanh Hoa.
In Da Nang alone, 2,661 guides were helped at a total cost of VND9.87 billion while Ha Noi supported 1,173 with VND4.35 billion and HCM City assisted 1,528 with VND5.66 billion.
Under the Prime Minister’s Decision No.23/2021/QD-TTg dated July 7, 2021, tour guides are among the groups most affected by the pandemic and are entitled to a benefit of VND3.71 million ($163) each.
