March 15 marked a full reopening of the country to foreign visitors and a lifting of nearly all travel restrictions. It is indeed a significant milestone for the country's tourism industry to make swift recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. In Da Nang, tourism businesses, especially travel agencies, have prepared themselves for the return of foreign guests in the new normal. However, Da Nang businesses are still waiting for specific documents and instructions from the national government to facilitate their smooth operations.

A welcoming ceremony for international visitors was held at the Da Nang International Airport in late 2021. Photo: NHAT HA

Businesses are excited to welcome back foreign guests

Sun World Ba Na Hills which is a must-visit resort and recreational complex in Da Nang is ready to reopen on March 18 after nearly a year COVID-19 closure.

Starting from March 18 until further notice, the resort will welcome visitors back on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with the return of exciting street mini shows, promising surprises for visitors. Many new items in this resort are under construction. Ba Na Castle and Carnival route are expected to be completed and open to the public on April 30, 2022. The return of Sun World Ba Na Hills Resort which has been named 'Viet Nam's Leading Theme Park 2019' at the World Travel Awards (WTA) Asia & Oceania gives a positive signal to Da Nang to resume full tourism activities in the context of safe, flexible adaptation and effective control of the COVID-19 pandemic, associated with the gradual social-economic recovery.

Stringent public health measures are put in place at this resort in efforts to keep its guests safe and comfortable while visiting here.

In its efforts to prepare for safe return of visitors, the resort has conducted deep clean and disinfection while hand sanitiser and antibacterial hand gels, plus medical devices allowing temperature to be checked, and others to be designed to fight COVID-19 are available to the staff and guests in an attempt to provide maximum protection against COVID-19 for them. In addition, the heed will be paid to ensuring a safe distance between visitors while queuing to buy entrance tickets and using cable cars, mountain trains. Sun World Ba Na Hills promises to create an unforgettable visitor experience, increase its attractiveness and create leverage to drive a quick recovery of Da Nang tourism through launching new products and services, along with organizing attractive festivals all year round.

Mr Nguyen Son Thuy, the Director of the Duy Nhat Indochina Tourism Company Limited, said that on March 27, the company will host the first international delegation from Thailand. Foreign guests are famtrip visitors from more than 40 Thai travel agencies to conduct surveys on the potential attractions and tourism products in Da Nang, Quang Nam, and Thua Thien Hue, plus a group of Thai tourists. Besides, there were also a number of other foreign delegations that have contacted the company to show their keen interest in traveling to Da Nang but the company is still confused due to the lack of specific instructions on welcoming back international tourists from the national government, Mr Thuy remarked.

Mr. Thuy expressed significant concerns on how a tour operator handles an international guest infected with COVID-19, which effective channels for COVID-19 treatment will be provided for international patients, and what insurance and payment options are suitable for such patients.

Visitors have fun at the Pham Van Dong Beach in Son Tra District. Photo: NHAT HA

Waiting for specific instructions from national government

Mr. Nguyen Nhu Nam, the Director General of the Vietnam TravelMart Joint Stock Company said that the company’s domestic and foreign partners are getting ready to welcome international guests back but there are no specific instructions from the national government in order to enable domestic tourism businesses to create new products suitable to such visitors.

A few months or half a year before their trips, tourists from European and American countries will make their travel plans so long-term welcoming planning for such visitors are needed to develop in order to lure them back.

Mr Nam highlighted the need for the early availability of instructions from the national government to deal with specific situations, including passport requirements, and anti-epidemic measures that are recommended for international tourists.

Mr Le Cong Hoa, the Director of the Viet Discovery Trading and Tourism Company Limited stated that most international tourists have been tested for COVID-19 and got vaccinated against the coronavirus disease before travelling to Viet Nam, so if Viet Nam adopts tight regulations for such visitors, it will create a big obstacle for them while many countries around the world have already resumed international tourism.

Mr Nguyen Ngoc Anh, the Chairman of the Da Nang Travel Association remarked that Da Nang’s tourism businesses are very excited about the national government’s decision to fully open up international tourism but they are waiting for specific instructions to welcome international guests back.

Municipal People's Committee Vice Chairwoman Ngo Thi Kim Yen asked relevant agencies to give advice to the municipal Department of Tourism to develop specific plans to welcome international guests in line with the latest guidance from the Ministry of Health and relevant national government agencies.

Viet Nam has officially reopened international tourism since March 15.

International tourists to Viet Nam are required to meet medical conditions as regulated by the Ministry of Health. At the border gate, if tourists have symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, they should immediately report to the health authorities to take medical measures as prescribed. Another requirement is that foreign travelers must have medical or travel insurance that covers COVID-19 treatment with a minimum liability of USD 10,000.

The Vietnamese Government has also issued a resolution on visa waivers for citizens from 13 countries namely Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Belarus.

Citizens of the above-mentioned countries will enjoy 15 days of visa-free travel in Viet Nam starting from their date of entry regardless of the kind of passport and entry purpose, on the basis of satisfying all conditions as prescribed by Vietnamese laws.

Reporting by NHAT HA – NAM PHUONG – Translating by H.L