Approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, the strategy aims to develop tourism into a spearhead economic sector with sustainable development that creates momentum for other sectors.

Under the strategy, Vietnam is to become one of the top 30 countries in terms of tourism competitiveness by 2030. It hopes to attract at least 50 million foreign visitors and 160 million domestic travelers each year, earn 3.1-3.2 trillion VND (130-135 billion USD) in revenue, and post annual tourism growth of 11-12 percent over the next decade.

A beach on Con Dao island, a tourist magnet in Vietnam.

The global Covid-19 pandemic has taken a toll on multiple sectors, with tourism among the hardest-hit.

Some experts, however, believe the new strategy, which features clear targets and support policies, will be a driving force and provide the opportunity for Vietnam’s tourism industry to overcome the impacts of the outbreak.

The directions towards tourism growth set out in the strategy match the current trend of sustainable development, as it specifies synchronous and drastic solutions, including improving awareness among people and businesses about ensuring visitors have a good impression of the country, developing tourism infrastructure and human resources, diversifying markets and products, boosting tourism promotions, and building brands.

Such solutions also focus on creating an optimal business environment, assisting small and medium-sized enterprises and households providing tourism services to acquire digital skills and access to financial sources, facilitating visa granting, developing large-scale and world-standard tourism complexes, and helping people engage in community-based tourism.

Foreign arrivals to Vietnam plunged 63.8 percent in March against February and 68.1 percent year-on-year. The first quarter total stood at around 3.7 million, down 18.1 percent from the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office.

Meanwhile, the World Tourism Organisation has projected that the number of foreign tourists globally will fall by 1-3 percent this year rather than grow 3-4 percent as forecast in January just prior to the outbreak.

Bac Giang’s tourism thrives

The northern province of Bac Giang is striving to serve 2.5 million tourists in 2020, according to Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tran Minh Ha.

"Lending wings" to Son Dong tourism to take off

(BGO) - Son Dong district covers an area of ​​nearly 850sq.m, making it the second largest in Bac Giang province after Luc Ngan. It boasts many primeval forests located in Dong Trieu arc, which is home to famous Yen Tu Mountain Range associated with Truc Lam Zen sect. Those factors are advantages for the district to develop different types of tourism.

Hanoi integrates agriculture and craft villages with tourism development

Hanoi city authorities have had the vision to combine agricultural and traditional craft villages with tourism development, which has produced encouraging results. This has proven to be a new direction for the capital city’s agricultural sector, helping to raise production value and increase the income of people in rural areas.

Viet Yen develops spiritual tourism associated with trade villages

(BGO) - Viet Yen district (Bac Giang province) is home to many historical and cultural relic sites recognized by the State, along with famous traditional craft villages. These are advantages for the district to invest in developing tourism.

Da Nang city designs plans to recover tourism after COVID-19 outbreak

As the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak has crippled the tourism sector, the central coastal city of Da Nang has outlined plans to recover the sector after the epidemic ends.

Source: VNA