Thailand's sports delegation took a tour around Hà Nội on the hop-on hop-off bus on May 18, 2022, during the SEA Games 31. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội welcomed 700,000 domestic tourists and 31,448 foreigners who visited or participated in events at the recently concluded SEA Games 31, according to the municipal Department of Tourism.

As of May 23, the closing day of the regional sporting event, 18 hotels in Hà Nội had accommodated more than 5,600 Vietnamese and foreign delegates, referees, athletes, and reporters. In addition, other accommodation facilities stood ready to welcome tourists travelling to Hà Nội during the Games.

Việt Nam has lifted nearly all COVID-19 restrictions, with no mandatory quarantine, negative COVID-19 tests, or vaccine certificate proofs required for foreign arrivals as pre-pandemic visa policies also reinstated from mid-March.

The Department of Tourism asked agencies to roll out new tourism products at the capital city’s famous attractions such as the Hoàn Kiếm Lake pedestrian zone, Thăng Long Imperial Citadel, and Bát Tràng pottery village, bus tours, city night tours, etc.

Images of Hà Nội and preparations for SEA Games 31 were promoted on the department’s portal and websites on Hà Nội tourism as well as TV channels and social media.

Director of the department Đặng Hương Giang said it has organised numerous events and festivals for SEA Games 31, namely Hà Nội tourism gift festival and Sơn Tây – Xứ Đoài Tourism Year.

She said the capital’s tourism sector has fulfilled assigned tasks for hosting the regional sporting event, which contributed to attracting foreign tourists and investors to Việt Nam and the capital city in particular.

With 40 sports, SEA Games 31 took place in Hà Nội and 11 nearby localities from May 12-23. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Việt Nam ranked first in the medal standings with 205 gold, 125 silver and 116 bronze medals. Thailand came second with 92 golds, 103 silvers, 136 bronzes and Indonesia finished third with 69 golds, 91 silvers, 81 bronzes.

Thailand finished in second place and Indonesia third. — VNS