Hà Nội welcomes the first visitors to the city on the first day of 2021 at the Temple of Literature. — VNA/VNS Photo Đinh Thuận

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội aims to receive from 13 million to 19 million visitors this year, 1.5 to 2 times higher than 2020, said deputy director of the Hà Nội Department of Tourism Trần Trung Hiếu.

Welcoming the first visitors to the city on the first day of 2021 at the Temple of Literature, Hiếu said: "Hà Nội is ready to serve tourists with a full range of modern infrastructure and unique and quality products, as well as enthusiastic and friendly services."

Lê Xuân Kiêu, director of the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities of the Temple of Literature, said: “In 2021, we still ensure the safety of visitors, along with diversifying activities, improving services, researching and developing new products to meet the increasing demands of tourists.”

Kiêu said: "We have added free Wifi access and QR code for most of the sites in the temple to reduce contact and best support tourists amid the COVID-19 pandemic."

He added: "The coordination and linking resources of tourism-related firms and units will strengthen local tourism.”

Phạm Tiến Dũng, director of Golden Tour Company, said: “As the connection of destinations in the Northeast and Northwest of the country, Hà Nội will be an attractive destination in 2021, with advantages of culture and heritage plus a convenient location.”

He added: "Culture, cuisine, the old town, suburban ecological spots and craft villages combining agricultural products are the main strengths attracting tourists to the capital city in the future.”

Tourist Lương Ngọc Hải from HCM City said: “We were very surprised to receive a warm welcome in such cold weather in Hà Nội,” adding: “The year 2020 was difficult, but we still arranged travel. I hope the tourism industry will have many new steps in 2021."

Lê Hồng Thái, deputy Director of Hanoitourist Company, said: "At the beginning of this year, there are tourists coming from the south to Hà Nội, because southerners really like the climate and cuisine here. The fact that products in Hà Nội are adjusted, upgraded and continuously renewed to meet the needs of tourists, 2021 will certainly mean a prosperous year for the tourism industry."

Thái said Hà Nội was always on the list of the world's top destinations for its unique features, which have deeply impressed domestic and international tourists.

According to the department of tourism, the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic had a strong impact on the tourism industry, however, the city has actively directed local businesses and upgraded tourism activities, so the capital city’s tourism has overcome difficulties and challenges to initially recover.

Data from Hà Nội Statistical Office showed that in 2020, Hà Nội welcomed 8.65 million domestic and international tourists, thereby actively contributing to the successful implementation of the "dual goal" of both prevention and fighting the pandemic, recovery and socio-economic development, affirming the city as the leading destination with the theme “A full, friendly, quality, attractive destination" amid COVID-19.

At the end of 2020, chairman of the Hà Nội People's Committee Chu Ngọc Anh announced that Hà Nội has recorded better economic results than anywhere else in Việt Nam amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The gross regional domestic product (GRDP) of Hà Nội in 2020 is estimated to increase 3.94 per cent, about 1.5 times higher than the national average growth rate. — VNS