In a report published in early October 2021, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) assessed that 2021 will continue to be a challenging year for tourism. However, the smokeless industry recorded strong growth signals in July thanks to the accelerated progress of the COVID-19 vaccine and the gradual lifting of restrictions. For example, Sydney, Australia will officially return to normal on November 1, 2021 after 19 months of border closure to control the epidemic. UNWTO expressed hope that global tourism will recover in 2022, although it is forecast that the sector will not achieve the growth recorded before the pandemic until 2023 or 2024.
In Vietnam, in 2020, Vietnam’s tourism will be seriously affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of international visitors to Vietnam only reached about 3.7 million arrivals, down 79.5% compared to 2019; domestic tourists reached 56 million arrivals, down 34.1%; total revenue from tourists reached 312 trillion VND, down 58.7%, equivalent to 19 billion USD.
However, Mr. Doan Van Viet – Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism – said that the Ministry promulgated Plan 3228/KH-BVHTTDL on September 7 to implement policies to restore tourism and travel activities across the country.
Ho Chi Minh City launches official tourism website
Grasping the good changes of the Covid-19 pandemic, The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism has officially launched the website visithcmc.vn to provide diverse information for domestic and international visitors to Ho Chi Minh City. This is considered a good sign showing the HCMC government’s determination to recover the tourism economy after a long time of pandemic, since the beginning of February 2020.
The website provides highly practical information including information about destinations, hotels, cuisine and major festivals and events in Vietnam for building tourists’ own travel itinerary.
The website is modernly built with articles, interviews, videos and especially a 360° tourist map system which was made at UNESCO heritage sites and information that introduces outstanding tourist attractions in Ho Chi Minh City, giving visitors a safe and meaningful experience. In addition, during the ongoing Covid-19 period, the website provides complete and easy-to-operate information on immigration and isolation services.
Australian Hospitality Alumni Network Vietnam 