In face of the globally complicated COVID-19 epidemic, a large number of Da Nang-based serviced accommodation establishments temporarily shut down, narrow down operation scale and slash jobs, whilst, encouragingly still, some struggled to seek guest resources in a tough mission to maintain both stability, reputation and payrolls for its staff.

An event of lighting the gloriously- decorated Christmas tree at the Muong Thanh Grand Da Nang Hotel

Latest data published by the Da Nang Department of Tourism show that by November, Da Nang had housed 1,195 serviced accommodation establishments with a combined total of 44,491 rooms, a slight hike in both establishment and room volumes compared to the same period last year.

Many tourism businesses and tourist attractions across Da Nang were forced to make temporary shutdowns, letting their employees be laid off or on unpaid leave due to Viet Nam's two coronavirus waves in March and late July.

Worse still, between 28 July and 5 September, more than 88% of the Da Nang-based serviced accommodation establishments halted their operations.

After Da Nang government started further relaxation of social distancing restrictions to allow served accommodation venues to reopen on 5 September, only nearly 56% of the total has resumed their operation.

Amidst Da Nang tourism sector bearing the brunt of the impacts of Viet Nam's two coronavirus waves, many such renowned hotels as Risemount Resort, Grand Mercure and Muong Thanh Luxury are launching great deals on their services for their potential guests as a way to go financially self-reliant during the tough times.

Ms Truong Lan Huong, the Executive Director of Muong Thanh Grand Da Nang Hotel said, before the second wave of coronavirus hit Da Nang, the hotel had served a large number of domestic and international guests. In detail, South Korean nationals accounted 50% of the total guest numbers, those from China, Japan and Southeast Asian countries made up for 20%, whilst the remainder were domestic holiday makers.

The hotel now only welcomes modest domestic guest numbers, with a room occupation rate of only 10% amidst Viet Nam still closing its borders and suspended all international flights.

With its great efforts to ‘keep its heads above water’ by seting sights on maintaining its stable operation, Muong Thanh Grand has struggled in its own way to reach more potential guests through many channels and promote its strengths and experience in hosting weddings, conferences and related events. This is dubbed as a bright spot in the hotel’s performance picture to attract M.I.C.E (Meetings-Incentives-Conferences-Exhibitions) guests.

Over recent times, Da Nang has received many repatriation flights to bring home Vietnamese nationals in dire situations. Da Nang is imposing a mandatory 14-day quarantine on all Vietnamese returnees from overseas following Viet Nam's national government’s guidelines. Vietnamese returnees can register with the local authorities if they wish to stay at the hotels for quarantine and are willing to pay the fee.

Till date, 24 serviced accommodation establishments across Da Nang have been permitted by the municipal authorities to serve as temporary quarantine sites for all arrivals from overseas to Da Nang with the quarantine fees charged.

Under the guidelines of the Ministry of Heath, hotels used for temporary quarantine sites are asked to not serve other purposes, and they are required to ensure essential living conditions such as electricity, water, sanitation, bathroom, ventilation, as well as being safe and convenient for accessing. Also, checkpoints, security teams and the warning sign “Authorized personnel only” are already set up.

Since March, the room occupancy rate of the Sam Grand Hotel - one of the local hotels serving as paid quarantine sites has reached about 30%, Ms Nguyen Thi Phuong Dung, a representative of the hotel’s staff revealed. That its regular reception for repatriated Vietnamese citizens has partly helped the hotel maintains its business operations and get during this difficult moment.

By HOAN HAO LUONG- Translated by A.T