Vietnam tourism attractions

The Hanoitimes – Air carriers plan to resume domestic flights after the nationwide social distancing order ends on April 15, suggest their passengers that they should use online check-in procedures via websites.

VietjetAir, Vietnam Airlines and Bamboo Airways plan to resume domestic flights from April 16 to meet travel demand after the end of the 15-day nationwide social distancing period.

Vietnam Airlines’ crew. Photo: Vietnam Airlines

Bamboo Airways announced on April 11 to resume domestic flights from April 16. The airline will increase up to 7 roundtrip flights per day for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City route from April 16 to 19.

From April 20, the airline plans to reopen one roundtrip flight for routes: Hanoi – Cam Ranh/Danang/Phu Quoc/Quy Nhon; Ho Chi Minh City – Danang/Hai Phong/Thanh Hoa/Quy Nhon/Vinh.

On the same day, Vietnam Airlines also announced to operate two flights per day from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and vice versa. Other routes will be operated with one flight per day, including Hanoi – Danang/Phu Quoc, and Ho Chi Minh City – Danang/Hai Phong/Vinh/ Nha Trang/Phu Quoc and vice versa.

Meanwhile, Vietjet Air plans to reopen three more routes from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on April 11, 12 and 14. The increase in flights is intended to meet the needs of those who have ended their isolation period. Passengers will be required to provide certificates for quarantine completion and Covid-19 negative.

The low-cost airline will also operate domestic flights from April 16.

The three Vietnamese airlines have been ordered to reduce the frequency of domestic flights until April 15, in a bid to the prevent the risk of contagion from pandemic-hit Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to other provinces and cities.

Accordingly, Vietnam Airlines only operates one flight among Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Danang and Phu Quoc; other routes are suspended until further notice.

Meanwhile, Bamboo Airways and Jetstar Pacific have cut many domestic services such as Hai Phong – Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City – Danang, while Vietjet Air operates three flights per day on the Ho Chi Minh City – Danang route.

The Hanoitimes – Vietnam’s tourism sector is preparing to welcome back foreign tourists. The tourism sector will submit a schedule for re-starting inbound tourism in the coming time.

Vietnam’s tourism sector is expected to resume welcoming inbound travelers sooner than many other countries in the region will do thanks to the success in containing the pandemic. “Vietnam is a safe place” would be the new slogan, said businesses and insiders at the recent conference on post-Covid-19 solutions for the tourism industry.

En cave, Quang Binh province. Photo: Vic (Facebook)

At the conference titled “Solutions promoting domestic tourism and recover international tourists” held on May 21, Steve Wolstenholme, CEO of Hoi An South Development (Hoiana), suggested that Vietnam needs to communicate the message “Vietnam is a safe place” and has to safeguard those who work in the industry.

Sharing the same idea, Vice President of Lodgis Hospitality Holdings Vietnam Craig Douglas added that Vietnam needs to take the opportunity to promote itself as a safe tourism corridor to attract tourists.

Kenneth Atkinson, vice president of the Tourism Advisory Board (TAB), underlined that Vietnam could learn from experiences of Australia, New Zealand and Thailand on creating specific resorts meeting anti-pandemic safety standards to accommodate international tourists.

Safety is of utmost priority for the tourism industry when it is re-opened to tourists, Nguyen Le Phuc, deputy general director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), affirmed at the conference.

The conference entitled “Solutions promoting domestic tourism and recover international tourists” on May 21.

“To achieve this target, the industry could apply technology for controlling the pandemic. At this time, the VNAT is implementing a communication plan on safe tourist destinations to lure tourists,” Phuc added. “Travel businesses are encouraged to devise sets of criteria on the safety and safe tourist destinations by themselves as well as cooperate with each other for better promotion.”

Trinh Hong Quang, deputy CEO of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, added that local businesses should take advantage of Vietnam’s successful control against the Covid-19 pandemic to build new product packages that focuse on the safety of the tourists.

Since the social distancing order was loosened, travel businesses have offered in unison promotional programs to attract domestic travelers. However, local insiders commented that this is only a short-term solution. For long-term ones, it is important to lure foreign travelers due to their high spending and purchasing power.

Le Quang Tung, deputy minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, concluded that Vietnam needs to communicate the safe destination images to the world. In addition, businesses need to work together to develop and take advantage of opportunities to revive the Vietnamese tourism industry.

Gianh River, Quang Binh province. Photo: dimorua (Facebook)

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will, based on the collaboration with relevant agencies, build a schedule for reopening the industry, Tung said.

In the first four months of 2020, international arrivals to Vietnam plunged 37.8% year-on-year to 3.7 million, according to the General Statistics Office.

In April alone, the number of tourists fell 98.2% from a year earlier and 94.2% against March. The pandemic impacted on the whole tourism industry and its goal of welcoming about 20.5 million international visitors this year is highly unlikely.

The Hanoitimes – Prior to the pandemic, the city’s tourism had set the target of welcoming over 23 million domestic tourists, a year-on-year increase of 8%.

Hanoi’s tourism authorities will focus on attracting domestic travelers in post-Covid-19 as the country is still cautious about reopening borders to foreign tourists.

Temple of Literature. Photo: Vietnamoimoi

As tourism has become a driving force of the local economy, the city’s tourism authorities would step up efforts to stimulate domestic tourism from now until the end of the year, according to Director of the municipal Department of Tourism Tran Duc Hai.

The city targets to welcome 10-11 million domestic tourists in the remaining months of 2020, higher than the same period of 2019, according to the department. However, it seems to be an ambitious plan.

Tourist attractions in the city have reopened doors to visitors for a few days. However, the flow of tourists is equivalent to just 20% of the pre-pandemic level.

In the first four months of 2020, tourist arrivals to Hanoi plunged 59.2% year-on-year to 3.89 million, causing tourism revenues to fall 53.2% to VND15.83 trillion (US$675.72 million).

During the January – April period, the number of domestic tourists to Hanoi stood at 2.92 million, down 59.5% year-on-year, while the number of foreign tourists to the city fell 58.2% to a mere 964,500. In April alone, tourist arrivals in Hanoi fell 98.4% year-on-year to more than 35,500, leading to a 98.3% year-on-year decrease in tourism revenue to VND143 billion (US$6.1 million).

Source: the Hanoi Department of Tourism. Chart: Nhat Minh

The city’s tourism reactivation will go hand in hand with ensuring safety for visitors in the new normal, Hai said. A number of programs will be rolled out in response to the national program “Vietnamese People Travel in Vietnam” launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The city’s tourism sector will focus on building Hanoi into an attractive destination with the motto “safe – friendly – quality – attractive” as well as provide guidelines on reopening procedures to places of interest so as to comply with the preventive measures against Covid-19.

For the recovery of the local tourism industry, the sector focuses on rebates and demand stimulation while still ensuring quality and diversification of tourism products. The city’s tourism authorities have identified cultural tourism as an advantage. My Duc and Ba Vi districts will be developed into cultural tourism destinations of the city.

Before the pandemic, the city’s tourism industry set plan to welcome nearly 32 million arrivals, up 10.2% compared to 2019, including over 23 million domestic tourists, a year-on-year increase of 8%. Tourism revenue for this year is set at VND120 trillion (US$5.14 billion) in revenue, up 12.3% – 15.5% compared to 2019.

In 2019, the tourism sector grossed over VND103.8 trillion (US$4.48 billion), up 34% compared to 2018.

The Hanoitimes – Hotels in Quang Ninh province were over crowded over the weekend.

The Vietnamese government is considering reopening to foreign tourists as the country and the world enter a new normalcy driven by the Covid-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said at a meeting with key leaders of Quang Ninh province on May 24.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc addresses at a meeting with key leaders of Quang Ninh province. Photo: VGP

Phuc also asked other localities across the country to strongly promote and prepare all conditions for welcoming domestic travelers in the time ahead.

In the context of the pandemic.

Welcoming back foreign tourists should be prepared with a focus on the safety of tourists, said experts in the field. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will submit a schedule for re-starting inbound tourism in the coming time.

In the first four months of 2020, international arrivals to Vietnam plunged 37.8% year-on-year to 3.7 million, according to the General Statistics Office.

In April alone, the number of tourists fell 98.2% from a year earlier and 94.2% against March. The pandemic impacted on the whole tourism industry and its goal of welcoming about 20.5 million international visitors this year is highly unlikely.

At the meeting on socio-economic restoration measures of Quang Ninh province in the post-Covid-19 period, the prime minister praised the encouraging restart of the province’s tourism industry with a focus on domestic travelers. Depending greatly on the tourism industry, the province suffered a great loss due to the pandemic.

PM Phuc said he was impressed witnessing the large turnout of domestic tourists to Quang Ninh province almost immediately after the province, home to the UNESCO-recognized heritage Ha Long Bay, reopened for tourists. On May 23 alone, roughly 11,000 people visited the bay.

A resort in Cam Pha City, Quang Ninh province.

In the first months of the year, the province has managed to maintain production and social order as well as perform the dual goal of fighting the disease and ensuring economic development. This year, the province aims its economy to grow 12%.

Quang Ninh has become a strong and comprehensive growth pole in the Northeast of the country. However, the prime minister asked the provincial authorities should not rest on the laurel and be vigilant, especially as the pandemic is still evolving unpredictably worldwide.

The Hanoitimes – The fact that nearly 19,800 enterprises temporarily suspended operation in the first two months of 2021, up 60.5% year-on-year, has also contributed to a decline in tax revenue.

Vietnam’s tax revenue in the first two months of 2021 is estimated at VND246.4 trillion (US$10.7 billion), representing a decline of 1.4% year-on-year.

Tax officers instruct locals to declare tax. Photo: Ha Lam

Upon breaking down, revenue from crude oil dropped by 53.3% year-on-year to VND4.9 trillion (US$212.63 million), equivalent to 21.1% of the yearly estimate, while domestic revenue reached VND241.55 trillion (US$10.47 billion), or 22.1% of the estimate.

“The figure remained a positive note taking into consideration a week-long Tet holiday in February causing production paralysis and a Covid-19 outbreak in a number of provinces/cities,” Director of the General Department of Taxation Cao Anh Tuan revealed the figure at a meeting on March 3, noting trade, transportation and tourism have all been impacted as a result.

According to Tuan, the fact that nearly 19,800 enterprises temporarily suspended operation in the first two months of 2021, up 60.5% year-on-year, has also contributed to a decline in tax revenue.

Among measures to mitigate negative impacts on the state budget, tax authorities have been focusing on recovering tax arrears, reaching VND5.11 trillion (US$221.7 million) as of February 28, or 17% of the target.

“Total tax arrears as of February 28 declined by 10.4% year-on-year,” Tuan added.

Tuan expected the serious Covid-19 situation globally would continue to impact the local economy and subsequently tax revenue in 2021.

“The taxation department aims to realize government’s supporting program in an effective and timely manner to support the business community affected by the pandemic, so that they could recover from a difficult period and return to operation,” Tuan stressed.

Tuan requested tax departments at various levels to step up efforts in recovering tax arrears and reduce the rate of unpaid tax accordingly, while tightening supervision over online businesses to ensure greater efficiency in tax collection.

Despite the severe Covid-19 crisis, Vietnam’s tax revenue last year reached VND1,278 trillion (US$55.37 billion), 2% higher than the yearly estimate or an increase of VND24.34 trillion (US$1.05 billion).

The Hanoitimes – The government also revealed a list of border gates and airports that will allow the entry of e-visa holders.

The Vietnamese government has made public a list of 80 countries whose citizens are eligible for e-visa to enter Vietnam as well as a list of international border gates that allow the entry of e-visa holders from July 1.

Noi Bai International Airport prepares to welcome a number of foreign visitors once the regulation on issuing e-visa takes effect into July 1. Photo: Vietnam News

The new regulation, Resolution No.79/NQ-CP, was issued by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in line with the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam.

Nationals of Austria, Poland, Belgium, Portugal, the UAE, Germany, India, South Korea, the US, Italy, Finland, France, China, Brazil, Canada, Russia, the UK, Japan, Spain, among others, are allowed to enter Vietnam if granted e-visas.

E-visas procedures are carried out at eight international airports, 16 international land border crossings and 13 sea ports across the country.

Eight airports that accept e-visas are Noi Bai, Tan Son Nhat, Cam Ranh, Da Nang, Cat Bi, Can Tho, Phu Quoc and Phu Bai.

Sixteen land border crossings processing e-visas are Tay Trang (Dien Bien province), Mong Cai (Quang Ninh province), Huu Nghi (Lang Son province), Lao Cai (Lao Cai province); Na Meo (Thanh Hoa province), Nam Can (Nghe An province), Cau Treo (Ha Tinh province), Cha Lo (Quang Binh province), La Lay, Lao Bao (Quang Tri province), Bo Y (Kon Tum), Moc Bai, Xa Mat (Tay Ninh province), Tinh Bien, Song Tien (An Giang province), and Ha Tien (Kien Giang province).

Thirteen seaports that accept e-visas are Hon Gai, Cam Pha in Quang Ninh province, Hai Phong, Nghi Son in Thanh Hoa province, Vung Ang in Ha Tinh province, Chan May in Thua Thien-Hue province, Da Nang, Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa province, Quy Nhon in Binh Dinh province, Dung Quat in Quang Ngai province, Vung Tau in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, Ho Chi Minh City, Duong Dong in Kien Giang province.

The e-visa granting program for travelers from 40 countries was launched on February 1, 2017 and was piloted for two years.

The pilot scheme did not require foreigners to be sponsored or invited by organizations or individuals in Vietnam to be eligible for the e-visas as long as they have valid passports and are citizens of one of the 40 listed countries.

Foreigners are not required to show up at diplomatic missions of Vietnam in their countries, get interviewed or scan their fingers to apply for e-visas.

Foreign citizens from 80 countries will be allowed to enter Vietnam using e-visa. Photo: Tienphong Online.

Until now, Vietnam has suspended entry for all foreign citizens to prevent and control the Covid-19 pandemic. Only Vietnamese citizens, foreigners on diplomatic and official business, and highly-skilled laborers are allowed to enter the country. Everyone entering the country must comply with medical checks and the compulsory 14-day quarantine upon arrival.

Due to Covid-19, all foreigners who entered Vietnam after March 1 on visa exemptions, e-visas or tourism visas will be given automatic stay extensions at no charge until June 30.

“After June 30, if the situation of the pandemic does not improve or the transportation and healthcare policies of other countries remains unchanged, we will continue to propose to extend validity period of the policy,” Senior Colonel Dang Tuan Viet from the Immigration Department told Vietnam News.