Following a recent Notice No. 43/TB-VPCP dated February 16, 2022 issued by the Government Office, on March 15, international tourism activities in Viet Nam will be fully reopened starting from March 15 after two years of COVID-19-triggered border closures.

Da Nang welcomed its first international visitors at the Da Nang International Airport in late 2021. Photo: NHAT HA

Currently, tourism businesses in Da Nang are waiting for specific instructions from relevant ministries and sectors to resume their tourism activities after a more than 2-year hiatus due to the COVID-19.

During the period of reduced operating frequency due to the impact of the pandemic, the Furama Resort Danang has channeled US$15 million into the upgrade and renovation of the entire facilities and landscapes, as well as into the training of human resources.

The resort has cooperated with universities citywide to organise training courses for its staff and managers, towards the establishment of the Furama Training Academy specialising in training hotel and restaurant-related services.

General Director of the Furama Resort Danang cum Chairman of the municipal Hotel Association Nguyen Duc Quynh remarked his business has taken the initiative to upgrade its facilities, as well as set up a board to welcome international and domestic guests in the new normal.

“We have closely worked with the Da Nang Centre for Disease Control and the municipal Department of Tourism to make plans to welcome international and domestic guests, and isolate visitors infected with COVID-19. All work relating to the reception of guests, including foreigners, is carefully prepared” noted General Director Quynh.

Meanwhile, a number of travel agencies have planned to launch the first overseas tours after a long period of hiatus.

For instance, the VIET Adventure Travel Co., Ltd. (Adventure) has to date received deposits for a number of tours to Thailand and Dubai (UAE) in March.

Director of the VIET Adventure Travel Co., Ltd. cum General Secretary of the Da Nang Tourism Association Ho Thanh Tu unveiled that travel businesses are waiting until March 15 to be informed properly about the expected time for welcome foreigners’ return.

However, things are still uncertain when a number of relevant ministries and branches, such as the Ministry of Health, have not officially issued specific instructions on epidemic prevention and control in the new normal.

"In the case that our country has yet to fully reopen its borders to foreign tourists on March 15, we will refund 100% of tour costs for our customers" said Mr. Tu.

According to the Da Nang Tourism Association, tourism businesses have been ready to welcome back international tourists.

In the immediate future, from March - June, it is forecasted that the resumption of the international tourist markets will mainly focus on a few Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Singapore.

Meanwhile, Da Nang's major international tourist markets such as Japan, South Korea, and European countries are still hesitant to reopen their doors in tandem with continuing to apply strict medical isolation order.

“Tourism businesses are now in need of specific instructions from relevant ministries and agencies, especially the Ministry of Health on the conditions applicable when reopening the doors to welcome international visitors starting from March 15, with a focus on the issue of unified visa for foreign visitors” emphasised Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association Cao Tri Dung.

In addition to the initiative of businesses and accommodation facilities, in order to improve service quality, including skilled human resources in the hotel industry, in early 2022, the Da Nang Hotel Association signed a cooperation agreement with the Da Nang Tourism Junior College to support association members to receive funding support from the national government to train and improve professional skills for managers and employees of the association’s tourism business members.

Reporting by KHANH HOA – Translating by M.DUNG