Hanoi plans to organize a series of unique tourism events during the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) to promote its image as a safe and attractive destination among domestic and international visitors.

Hanoi prepares for the upcoming SEA Games 31. Photo: Duy Khanh/ The Hanoi Times

Nguyen Hong Minh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, said the city considered SEA Games 31 an important event, and an opportunity for the capital’s tourism to speed up the process of the recovery with a bigger contribution from the inbound market.

The series of events includes the Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival to be held on April 29-May 1, the Hanoi Tourism Festival on May 13-15, and a culinary and Hanoi craft village tourism festival on May 18-22.

Through these events, the city will introduce Southeast Asian athletes and their fans, especially international reporters and guests, to the culture, economic potential, tourism, and friendly relations of Hanoi.

For the overall recovery of the municipal tourism sector, Hanoi will prioritize promoting the capital's tourism through domestic media and television channels (VTV, HanoiTV) and international channels like CNN, travel websites, and social networking platforms (YouTube, Facebook), Minh added.

The city will actively participate in and organize promotion programs in key markets such as TOPRESA-International Tourism & Travel Exhibition in France, and JATA Tourism Expo Japan in cooperation with embassies and representative agencies of Vietnam abroad.

To mark the 31 days left for the 31st SEA Games Opening Ceremony (May 12) in Vietnam, Hanoi launched a 31-day countdown to the SEA Games 31 at the Hoan Kiem Lake on April 11.

This year, Hanoi aims to welcome 9-10 million visitors, including 1.2-2.0 million international tourists, earning total revenue of around VND27.8-35.8 trillion (US$1.2-1.56 billion).

To reach the goal, the capital’s tourism industry in collaboration with Vietnam Airlines Corporation and other air carriers will organize programs and events to promote the city’s tourism at home and abroad, as well as invite pressmen and foreign travel businesses to Vietnam and Hanoi.

The city focuses on implementing a plan to upgrade the quality of tourism products and tourist destinations including heritage relics and craft villages, according to the Hanoi Department of Tourism.

A corner of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. Photo: Bich Hoi

Besides, Hanoi is expected to offer more night tourism products such as renewing activities at the walking space by the Hoan Kiem Lake and its vicinity, opening a host of walking spaces around the Son Tay ancient citadel, in the Southern urban area in Hoang Mai District, and in Thien Quang lake area-Thong Nhat Park in Hai Ba Trung District.

The municipal Department of Tourism is working with travel businesses and tourist sites, especially relics and heritage destinations, to build night tourism and experience tourism products on the basis of exploiting traditional values.

The city continues to support local businesses in training human resources as well as speeding up digital transformation and application of information technology in tourism activities.

In addition, the capital will enhance its connection with the Central Highlands and Northwest provinces to expand tourist offers. It is expected that Hanoi will receive about 10 million visitors in the last nine months of the year.