Hạ Long City, Quảng Ninh. — VNA/VNS Photo

QUẢNG NINH — To prepare for welcoming international visitors, including those from China, authorities and tourism and service businesses in the northern province of Quảng Ninh have sketched out detailed plans in order to improve the quality of tourism services.

According to the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Chinese Government has decided to add Việt Nam to its list of countries that will play host to a pilot programme for reopening to group tours as part of the northern neighbour’s second phase.

General Director of Thắng Lợi Tourism JSC Nguyễn Văn Sơn said that this was a positive sign for travel businesses of both nations.

The firm and its Chinese partners had coordinated to share information on requirements, conditions and policies of the two governments related to visas, COVID-19 prevention and control, exit and entry through land border gates, and permission for direct flights, thus building sightseeing programmes and tour schedules for visitors.

Thắng Lợi worked with Chinese partners on developing new products at affordable prices to meet the demand of international tourists from different segments.

Director of the provincial Department of Tourism Phạm Ngọc Thuỷ said the province had actively built plans for welcoming international holiday-makers via land border gates, while meeting with relevant departments and sectors, and travel agencies to prepare plans to welcome visitors.

The locality will create favourable conditions for international tourists to conduct SARS-CoV-2 tests to meet the requirements of China's COVID-19 prevention and control work.

Previously, Vice Chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyễn Thị Hạnh ordered the People’s Committee of Móng Cái City, the Móng Cái International Border Gate’s management board, the provincial Border Guard Command, and relevant departments and sectors to finalise the process of welcoming Chinese tourists, focusing on preparing scenarios and measures to ensure safety for visitors.

To fulfil its target of welcoming 14-15 million tourists and earning VNĐ27 trillion (over US$1.1 billion) this year, the northern coastal province of Quảng Ninh, home to Hạ Long Bay World Natural Heritage Site, plans to introduce 24 new products in five localities.

Thuỷ said State management agencies in charge of domestic tourism would coordinate with Chinese authorities and the two countries’ tourism associations to improve the quality of local services, contributing to promoting Quảng Ninh's tourism image to international holiday-makers.

In the first two months of this year, Quảng Ninh welcomed 3.35 million tourists, doubling that in the same period last year, earning over VNĐ6.5 trillion. — VNS