After more than four years of implementing Resolution No. 06 to promote the development of the tourism industry in Hanoi, what has the industry achieved?

Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism Tran Trung Hieu. Photo: Thanhnien

In the 2016-2019 period, the tourist influx to Hanoi increased rapidly and in a stable manner, with average growth of 10.1% per year. The number of international visitors saw an impressive increase, averaging 21.2% per year. 

In 2019, Hanoi welcomed more than 28.9 million tourists, including more than 7 million international visitors. Tourism contributed 12.54% of the city's gross regional domestic product (GRDP).

Hanoi is ranked by many international organizations among attractive destinations in the world. Notably, the city has offered more high-quality tourism products associated with its tourism brand.

Could you elaborate on the city's flagship tourism products?

The requirements for Hanoi's tourism products are not only the uniqueness, attractiveness, professionalism, but also sustainability, environmental and social responsibility. It is worth mentioning some outstanding products and destinations meeting the needs of visitors such as the walking space around Hoan Kiem lake and surrounding areas, "Hanoi Cultural Space" at Dong Lac – Hang Dao communal house, Bat Trang pottery village and Van Phuc silk village.

Monuments and landscapes such as Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi, the Temple of Literature complex and Hoa Lo Prison relic have regularly organized events which attracted great number of tourists. Hanoi has also released many new tour packages such as tourism combined with sports; eco-tourism and hospitality; high-quality agricultural tourism associated with new countryside construction.

The city focuses on promoting "a safe, friendly, quality and attractive destination" and associated activities to develop sustainable tourism. How effective have these activities been so far?

Hanoi promotes "a safe, friendly, quality and attractive destination". Photo: Vietnamnet

Promotion activities of the capital's tourism industry have been notably reformed; the city is effectively implementing on-site promotions, rolling out cooperation agreements between the city and the airlines; partnering with 40 provinces and cities to build tours and inter-regional routes to connect destinations in Hanoi with the whole country. 

In particular, the communications and promotion program between Hanoi and Cable Television News Network CNN of the US has had a positive impact on the growth of international visitors to the capital.

What challenges is Hanoi's tourism industry facing?

Hanoi’s tourism still has to address many shortcomings. The quality of services in some destinations is low; the accommodation establishment system is not really synchronous; culinary services and shopping are still fragmented. 

The majority of Hanoi’s travel businesses are of small scale, unable to lead the international tourism market. The quantity and quality of human resources are still poor, especially in terms of foreign language proficiency and professionalism. 

Infrastructure such as roads leading to tourist destinations are not good. The implementation of a number of tourism projects is slow, leading to the lack of large-scale entertainment areas and resorts, affecting the goal of attracting tourists to stay in Hanoi longer. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has affected all the areas of life. How has the capital’s tourism industry perceived the impact?

2020 is truly a crisis year for the tourism industry in the country in general and for Hanoi in particular. From January 2020 to late April 2020, 1,190 accommodation establishments, 1,364 travel businesses, 120 transport operators, and tourist destinations suspended or have operated perfunctorily; nearly 41,000 workers temporarily lost their jobs. 

In 2020, Hanoi’ tourism strives to welcome about 14 million visitors, only nearly 50% of 2019's figure, and still this goal requires great efforts to achieve. 

Bao Khanh street, Hoan Kiem district. Photo: Vietnamnet

What will the city's tourism industry do to overcome the difficulties and achieve the goal?

We have asked all units, businesses, destinations to well carry out Covid-19 prevention and control in accordance with the guidance of the Ministry of Health. At the same time, the Hanoi Department of Tourism promotes the implementation of the program to stimulate domestic tourism in 2020, mobilize and support businesses to cooperate among themselves in building new tourism products associated with the capital.

Hanoi will focus on expanding the development of suburban tourism; adjust the tourism stimulation program in face of the new development of Covid-19 and prepare activities to celebrate 1010 years of Thang Long – Hanoi.

What is the long-term goal of the capital city’s tourism?

The capital’s tourism industry expects an early recovery scenario and sets a goal that by 2021, domestic and international visitors will reach 100% and 70%, respectively, of the 2019 figure.

By 2022, the number of domestic tourists will increase by 8% compared to 2021. From 2023 to 2025, the number of visitors will grow steadily with an increase of 8% to 9%.

To achieve this goal, the Hanoi Department of Tourism will advise the city to select key tourist spots to focus investment on to make those place high-quality tourist destinations. Hanoi’s tourism industry is also working on retaining tourists so that they could stay in Hanoi longer; continue to support businesses to build new tourism products; develop night tourism products; promote the application of smart technology and e-commerce in tourism promotion in order to create a breakthrough in the future.

Thank you very much!