Vietnam’s tourism sector, with the motto “Link, Act and Develop” in 2021, should map out solutions and grasp opportunities to recover and grow in the new normal, according to Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung.

Vietnam tourism sector with the motto “Link, Act and Develop” in 2021. Photo: Pham Hung

Since late March, the Covid-19 has halted inbound tourism activities and plunged domestic travel. The industry fell short of the year’s targets, of which, international visitors to Vietnam only reached about 3.7 million, a decrease of 80% and the number of domestic visitors were estimated at 5.6 million, down 34%. 

In 2020, total revenue from tourist arrivals were estimated at VND321.2 trillion (US$13.8 billion), down about 58.7% from a year earlier.

Thanks to the successful efforts in containing Covid-19, Vietnam is one of the few countries with a rapid recovery in a number of fields, including tourism. As such, the tourism industry quickly set out strategies to “brave the storms” and revive the market. 

Last May, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism launched a domestic tourism stimulation program with the theme “Vietnamese people travel in Vietnam”.

Since September last year, the tourism industry has embarked on the second stimulus program entitled “Vietnam tourism - a safe and attractive destination”, focusing on the domestic market.

Taking stock of a series of measures to restore tourism last year, Deputy Minister Hung said that the stimulus programs gained remarkable results, of which the enhanced alliance among agencies and enterprises in the sector remains a bright spot. "Notably, the number of domestic tourists increased strongly again, especially last June and July, leading to the rebound of aviation industry. The national airlines have continuously increased flights and opened new routes."

“Covid-19 is a big test that forces local tourism enterprises to change and adapt to the new normal, accelerating the process of digital transformation, and launching new products to survive,” Deputy Minister Hung said.