Vietnamese tourism moves to new stage of development in 2021
Vietnam’s tourism sector will enter a new stage of development this year, with new measures sought to not only recover tourism activities but also ensure disease prevention and people’s safety, Vu The Binh, permanent vice chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, has told the media.
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam’s tourism sector will enter a new stage of development thisyear, with new measures sought to not only recover tourism activities but alsoensure disease prevention and people’s safety, Vu The Binh, permanent vicechairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, has told the media.
Speaking on the sidelines of the NationalTravel Agents Forum 2021, Binh said that once the pandemic is brought undercontrol the tourism market will heat up again, but the psychology and needs oftourists are sure to change.
Travel agents are the key element in recovering and developing the market post-pandemic.
In 2020, he said, the number of internationaltourists fell nearly 80 percent compared to 2019, while domestic travellerswere down by 50 percent and the number of outbound tourists plunged 90 percent.
The sector’s total revenue was 312.2 trillionVND (13.5 billion USD), down nearly 60 percent.
Bach Moc Luong Tu peak (Photo: VNA)
During the year, 338 foreign travel agentsasked that their business licenses be withdrawn, a three-fold rise against2019, while 201 businesses applied for new licenses, down by one-third.
Therefore, to overcome the difficulties, Binhsuggested travel agents seek measures to resume operations in the “new normal”,with a focus on the domestic market.
The tourism industry will have to begin from virtuallythe starting line, he said, and proposed the expansion of digitaltransformation in tourism activities.
The psychology and needs of tourists afterCOVID-19 are sure to change and it is necessary to identify tourism productsthat are more suitable to the new normal. And travel agents should be thepioneering force in this endeavour, he added.
He suggested stepping up restructuring in governance,thoroughly understanding guest demand, and investing in quality.
Binh expressed his belief that tourism will recovershortly, reinforced by the appearance of COVID-19 vaccines./.
Ninh Binh province, a tourist destination in the north, is launching several measures to achieve its goal of welcoming 7 million arrivals this year, during which it hosts the National Tourism Year.
The northern province of Lao Cai, home to the popular holiday town of Sa Pa, has set a target of welcoming 5 million visitors this year and earning more than 696 million USD in tourism revenue.
It’s fair to say that 2020 was a challenging year for Vietnam’s tourism sector, but it wasn’t an unmitigated disaster. Analysts have said that COVID-19 created a turning point for both local and international tourism, requiring travel companies study and craft a new future for their business.
The capital city of Hanoi welcomed over 122,000 tourist arrivals during the first seven days of the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival which lasts from February 10-16 , according to the municipal Department of Tourism.
With the country rapidly advancing its plan to merge provincial-level administrative units, set to be completed by mid-August, the tourism industry, along with other sectors, is presented with challenges but also significant opportunities for innovation and sustainable growth in the era of the nation's rise.
Located at an altitude of over 1,500 metres above sea level, Sapa is dubbed the “Switzerland of Vietnam” for its temperate climate, breathtaking scenery, and European-inspired architecture.
A quick search for “Vietnam is calling” on TikTok reveals a myriad of clips capturing the excitement of visitors setting off for Vietnam, with short videos showing tourists holding their passports, wheeling their suitcases through airports or exploring Vietnam’s scenic landscapes, diverse cuisine and unique culture - all set to upbeat, catchy soundtracks.
The number of visitors increased by 4.1% compared to the same period last year, while total tourism revenue surged by 48.8%, or nearly 88% of the year’s target.
“There is no more atmospheric way to haul into Vietnam’s twin metropolises as this train rattles through historic cities and swooshes beside spectacular coastlines,” according to Lonely Planet.
All the 240 households in Thieng Lieng hamlet once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Exploring Ha Long Bay by hydroplane (Photo: VNA) 
Bach Moc Luong Tu peak (Photo: VNA) 
