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| VNAT's Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh reporting at the seminar. Photo TITC |
On January 24, Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) organized seminar to collect ideas on solutions and the roadmap to reopen international tourism. On that basis, MOCST will summarise and submit a report to the Prime Minister for approval.
According to VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh, as of January 23, 2022, Vietnam welcomed over 8,500 international tourist arrivals through the pilot plan to reopen international tourism since late November 2021. Although the number of visitors is not so much, the initial results have proven the ability of the Vietnam tourism industry to "adapt safely and flexibly".
In order to pushing the recovery of Vietnam tourism, promoting the positive results achieved in the first phase of pilot plan, and taking advantage of opportunities to improve the competitiveness of sector, VNAT proposed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism submits to the Government the roadmap to fully open international tourism as follows: continuing implement second phase of the pilot plan until April 30, 2022 then fully reopen international tourism (including inbound and outbound) from May 1st, 2022 by all international border gates on new normal. Along with that are solutions and proposals related to safety, health, immigration, visas, connecting commercial routes, promotion, product development...
Supporting proposal on roadmap to fully open international tourism
At the seminar, most of delegations showed their support to VNAT’s proposal. There are even ideas that should open earlier.
Major General Le Van Phuc (Command of Border Guards) said that the implementation of pilot plan under the direction of the Government was very effective. During the pilot phase, we took very careful steps, both controlling the pandemic and meeting the requirements of tourism development and restoration. We support the fully opening of international tourism soon, creating the best conditions to welcome tourists and develop the economy again.
Regarding ‘vaccine passport’, according to Mr. Luong Thanh Quang - Deputy Director of the Consular Department (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), there are currently 10 countries that have recognized Vietnam ‘vaccine passports’ such as the UK, the US, Japan... and Vietnam temporarily recognition of vaccine passports of 72 countries and territories, further negotiations will be continued in the near future.
Mr. Quang also suggested that it is necessary to agree on policies and procedures to welcome tourists from the Central to localities, to avoid causing difficulties and problems for international visitors to Vietnam.
On behalf of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, Deputy Director General Dinh Viet Son affirmed his support for the reopening of international tourism. The tourism industry's plan to open up to international tourists from April 30 is also in line with the airline industry's plan. He suggested that Covid-19 testing should not be held at the airports anymore, instead of at accommodation for international tourists, to avoid causing congestion at the airports.
Ms. Nguyen Minh Hang, Deputy Director of the Department of Preventive Medicine (Ministry of Health) shared that the Ministry of Health is still actively implementing vaccination, with nearly 100% completed the first dose and 95% second dose. The Ministry of Health will coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to have guidelines for international recognition of vaccination certificates. We will regularly update the guideline, step by step opening the door.
The localities are united, ready to welcome international tourists
Leaders of localities such as Kien Giang Province, Quang Nam Province, Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi City agreed with reopen tourism fully.
Beside that, Ha Noi proposed to open a month earlier, from April 1st, 2022 so that we have time to prepare to start, prepare to serve the holiday of April 30 to May 1 as well as other sports activities like SEAGames 31.
Quang Nam proposed to restore the visa-free entry policy as before 2020. HCM City proposed to increase the time for the certificate of PCR test results to facilitate the far away markets.
A good opportunity, open to international tourism as soon as possible
Mr. Vu The Binh, Standing Vice Chairman of Vietnam Tourism Association highly appreciated and expressed his support for the timely proposal. As COVID-19 protection continue to improved and consumer confidence continues to grow, Vietnam tourism should change the pilot period to officially reopen sooner. The most important issue right now is to continue exempting visa and strongly promoting tourism.
According to Mr. Trinh Hong Quang, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines, the domestic market has shown signs of improvement. He suggested opening tourism from 1st February, 2022.
Mr. Truong Gia Binh - Head of Private Economic Research and Development Department (Board IV) said that Government policy is to adapt safely, flexibly and effectively. Businesses are facing very difficult period. Now is good opportunity to reopen.
Concluding the seminar, Mr. Nguyen Van Hung – Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism highly appreciated the opinions of the participants, showing their enthusiasm and concern for the recovery and development of tourism.
On the basis of summarizing opinions at seminar, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will submit to the Government and the Prime Minister for permission to fully reopen the international tourism. The opening time will be publicly announced. From now until that time, we will continue to prepare necessary and sufficient conditions, improve service capacity and quality.
Tourism Information Technology Center
Tags: VNAT, MOSCT, fully reopening, international tourism,
Relate
- Consensus on the roadmap, solutions to reopen international tourism (01/25/2022)
The Holiday and Travel Magazine
https://theholidayandtravelmagazine.blogspot.com.au
Vietnam National Administration of Tourism
https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/english/
https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/english/
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