Vietnam is targeting 18 million international visitors by 2026, the same as in the pre-pandemic period, according to a tourism development plan from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
The plan, approved by the national government on Saturday, was presented as the country will fully reopen international tourism on March 15 after nearly two years of closure due to the impact of COVID-19.
With the aim of making tourism a critical industry in the near future, the plan outlines the main goals and tasks for the tourism sector in two phases from now until 2026.
In its first phase, from 2022 to 2023, the sector is expected to attract up to nine million international tourists, equivalent to 50 percent of that in 2019, and 65 to 70 million domestic travelers, equivalent to 75 to 80 percent of the figure for 2019 .
The Golden Bridge is a 150-meter pedestrian bridge in the Bà Nà Hills resort, near Da Nang, Vietnam. It is designed to connect the funicular station with the gardens and provide a scenic view and tourist attraction.
Total travel revenue at this stage is expected to reach VND 450 trillion ($19.63 billion), or 50 percent of the amount in 2019.
In the second phase from 2024 to 2026, the tourism industry will accelerate its recovery rate to welcome 18 million international visitors – equal to the 2019 figure – and approximately 85 million domestic tourists by 2026, with total revenues of VND 900 trillion ($39. 26 billion). †
In phase 1, the ministry will help tourism companies accelerate the recovery through specific solutions, such as enforcing VAT and corporate tax reductions, lowering electricity costs and land rent, and extending the payment deadline for cash transport until the end of 2023. .
According to Cong An Nhan Dan (People’s Police) newspaper, the sector will launch tourism promotion events in major markets at home and abroad, while pilot programs are implemented to welcome back international travelers and boost the training of tourism personnel.
The ministry will build a national network of small and micro-tourism businesses to provide mutual support in their recovery process.
In phase 2, the tourism sector will develop high-quality human resources and build sustainable tourism labor markets.
Other tasks include improving traffic and technical infrastructure in national tourist areas and boosting smart tourism and tourism development on digital platforms, according to the national radio station Voice of Vietnam.
To achieve the goals, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has asked the ministry to take steps to reopen tourism based on safe and flexible adaptation to the COVID-19 epidemic.
The deputy prime minister also demanded that the ministry coordinate with other ministries and agencies in carrying out the tasks outlined in the country’s tourism development strategy by 2030.
The ministry should also review and remove all difficulties and obstacles that prevent the tourism sector from meeting its targets.
Vinh Tho – Thien Dieu @ Tuoi Tre newspaper
