HCM City seeks to revive tourism after coronavirus blow
The HCM City tourism sector will run a stimulus programme from April to July to revive tourism industry which has been hit quite badly by the new coronavirus outbreak.
HCM City (VNS/VNA)- The HCM City tourism sector will run a stimulus programme from April to Julyto revive tourism industry which has been hit quite badly by thenew coronavirus outbreak.
Travel firms, hotels, restaurants, airlines, transport firms and othertourism-related service providers would be involved in the programme, whichwould offer attractive discounts and promotions, Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, deputydirector of the city Department of Tourism, said.
This year the sector will focus on markets such as Australia and India andbegin new air services to the countries.
It plans to continue its marketing and promotion activities in markets withhigh growth rates such as the Republic of Korea, Japan, Taiwan (China), and SoutheastAsia.
The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has significantly affected visitorarrivals, especially from China, which accounted for 30 percent of Vietnam’s internationalvisitors last year.
The number of bookings at three- to five-star hotels in HCM City has fallen by50 percent after Tet (LunarNew Year) in late January, according to its Department of Tourism.
Hotelsserving Chinese-speaking tourists saw a drop of 70 percent, it said.
Some four- and five-star hotels in fact plan to lay off workers as a result ofthe slump in business.
City travel firmssaid the number of tour bookings has also decreased by 50 percent.
Huynh Phan Phuong Hoang, deputy general director of Vietravel, said there isalmost no new booking for the next two or three months.
“Stimulus packages with discounts of 30 percent and above can help boost thetourism industry.”
Travel- and tourism-related firms want the Government to offer incentives liketax breaks to mitigate the impact of the epidemic./.
Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong has asked agencies to improve production of major industries and diversify tourism products, as well as speed up the capital disbursement rate of public investment projects in the city.
Vietnam will optimise external resources to spur national economy as the impact of the outbreak of acute respiratory disease caused by a new coronavirus (COVID-19) on foreign investment flows into the country is visible, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI).
Malaysia hopes to meet its target of welcoming a record 30 million tourists in 2020 by redirecting its marketing efforts to local and other markets as the number of visitors from China has dropped.
The Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA) is working with Japanese travel companies to welcome five groups of Japanese tourists via charter flights from February 19 to March 4.
The number of visitors increased by 4.1% compared to the same period last year, while total tourism revenue surged by 48.8%, or nearly 88% of the year’s target.
“There is no more atmospheric way to haul into Vietnam’s twin metropolises as this train rattles through historic cities and swooshes beside spectacular coastlines,” according to Lonely Planet.
All the 240 households in Thieng Lieng hamlet once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Foreign visitors in HCM City. (Photo: VNS) 
