Tourists at Vinpearl Safari Phú Quốc. Many tourists enjoy vacations at resorts due to the high safety standards. Photo courtesy of Vinpearl

HÀ NỘI – Tourism experts and managers decided that Viet Nam's tourism industry should develop with the motto 'safety and attraction' at a conference held on Thursday in Hà Nội.

Việt Nam has gone 23 days with no community cases of COVID-19, so it was time to start rebuilding the tourism industry. The conference was held by the Việt Nam National Tourism Administration (VNAT) and VnExpress online newspaper.

Hà Văn Siêu, vice chairman of VNAT, acknowledged that local tourism promotions launched by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism had made a positive impact. The tourism industry revived rapidly between May and July. However, when a COVID-19 outbreak was detected in Đà Nẵng in July, domestic tourism once again faced challenges.

“We have many experiences to learn from, and we put top priority on guaranteeing safety for travellers,” Siêu said.

“Apart from safety, we will also focus on attractions. Localities should launch new promotions and connect with neighbouring destinations.”

Vũ Thế Bình, vice chairman of the Việt Nam Tourism Association, said the coronavirus pandemic was an unprecedented crisis for the tourism industry around the world, but it was time to revive the industry in the 'new normal'.

“If we promote tourism in the normal way, we can’t solve the problems,” Bình said. “Enterprises have to focus on service quality, and tourists can enjoy new products or old tours with a fresh twist.”

“I think we can use technology to renovate tourism and bring new experiences to travellers,” Bình said.

Nguyễn Xuân Bình, vice director of  Đà Nẵng's Tourism Department, said that life had returned to normal in the coastal city.

“We have sent surveys to tourists to ask about their experiences, wishes and suggestions,” he said.

“A competition themed "Remembering Đà Nẵng" will kick off soon to ask travellers to share their memorable moments during their vacations or even if they got stuck in Đà Nẵng."

“We will create new tours and launch a campaign to develop tourism in the long term,” said Bình.

Vietnam Airlines, Vin Group, Sun Group and Alma Group agreed with VNAT’s plan to put safety first.

On the occasion, these groups also presented their strategies and promotions to attract tourists in the last quarter of the year and following years.

Accordingly, Vin Group has completed the four Vin Wonders, theme parks in Nha Trang, Phú Quốc, Nam Hội An and Hải Phòng.

Đặng Thanh Thủy, vice general director of Vin Group, said the group had concentrated on providing impressively unique experiences at each destination.

“Tourists will have a chance to enjoy international standard services with 50-70 per cent discounts.”

“In the next three years, we want to make Vinpearl Phú Quốc a must-see global destination with remarkable services and programmes.” VNS