Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Chairman of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT). Photo TITC

The forum was organized by Vietnam Tourism Association in hybrid form with the participation of experts, tourism associations of provinces/cities and tourism businesses.

Speaking at the forum, Mr. Vu The Binh said that the Covid-19 pandemic has been comprehensively changing the social structure and activities into a new normal. For the tourism industry, the new normal is defined with many new factors, of which safety becomes the most important factor. In addition, there are a number of new regulations before and during travel (medical declaration, travel declaration, medical testing, vaccination...); personal devices such as smartphones, laptops, tablets... are gradually becoming a must-have items while traveling.

Mr. Vu The Binh, Vice Chairman of Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA). Photo TITC

At the same time, key activities in tourism such as promotion, product development, human resource training, tourism management are also being changed and toward the ensuring safety, technology application. This requires the tourism industry, especially tourism businesses, to actively transform management and business activities, contribute to the recovery and development of tourism in a sustainable way, quickly adapt to the changing situation of new normal.

Safe, flexible adaptive tourism in the new normal

According to VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh, the shift in viewpoints and policies from the state of "Zero Covid-19" to "safe, flexible adaptation and effective control of the Covid-19 pandemic" of Government has oriented and paved the way for the tourism industry, localities and businesses to restart tourism activities.

VNAT proposed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism solutions to support tourism businesses and employees in tourism industry. Now, VNAT is coordinating with VITA to propose to Government prolong the application time.

Both of domestic and international tourism has prospered. Phu Quoc (Kien Giang), Quang Nam and Khanh Hoa already welcomed the first international tourists by vaccine passports.

VNAT also launched “Live fully in Vietnam” campaign to promote tourism, update information on reopening plan and new tourism products to partners and international tourists.

Building tourism products that adapt safely to the pandemic

Mr. Nguyen Cong Hoan - General Director of Flamingo Redtours Jsc. said that tourism products need to be convenient for handling, flexibly adjusted, offering more changing conditions for customers. Products are personalized to create a sense of safety for customers.

“Tourism products need to ensure safety but still have to be attractive. Some types of tourism will be prioritized by tourists such as: cultural tourism, leisure tourism, community tourism... In addition, visitors will tend to like "no-touch" tourism, small group tours”, Mr. Phung Quang Thang, Director of Hanoitourist said.

Mr. Tran Huu Thuy Giang, Director of Thua Thien Hue Department of Tourism informed that Hue tourism is currently enhancing digital transformation with heritage digitization, cuisine digitization, ao dai digitization and apply digital tourism products, non-cash payment, e-tickets...

Forum had the participation of experts, tourism associations of provinces/cities and tourism businesses. Photo TITC

At the forum, delegates and experts shared about the development of golf tourism, MICE tourism, tourism cooperation, digital transformation in marketing, and supporting businesses…

Tourism Information Technology Center