In the coming year, the VNAT will still focus on the target of developing domestic tourism with the guideline "Connection, action and development".

The VNAT’s General Director Nguyen Trung Khanh said that, due to the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic, the world tourism industry in general and Vietnam’s in particular suffered heavy losses. In 2020, international visitors to Vietnam only reached about 3.7 million, a decrease of 79.5% compared to 2019; domestic visitors reached 56 million, down 34.1%. Total tourism revenue reached VND312 trillion, down 58.7% - a decrease equivalent to US$19 billion.

At the event

Facing into the situation, the VNAT issued and advised the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) to issue documents to promptly respond to the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring safety for tourists, as well as proposing mechanisms and policies to support the tourism industry.

After the pandemic was controlled, the VNAT actively advised the MoCST to launch the domestic tourism stimulation programmes 'Vietnamese people travel Vietnam’ and ‘Safe and attractive Vietnamese tourism’. The programmes received a positive response from localities and businesses, attracting tourists and helping minimize damage to the tourism industry.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung affirmed that in 2021, the Vietnam tourism industry implements the guideline "Connection, action and development", continuing to focus on restoring and developing domestic tourism.

Some specific tasks for the coming year are strengthening linkages within the industry to develop tourism products; building institutions, reviewing proposals to amend legal documents on tourism to suit the reality and development requirements in the new situation.

In addition, the tourism industry will aim to reposition itself in international tourism markets, improve the quality of tourists, and develop suitable products for the market; continue to effectively implement the tourism stimulation programmes; accelerate digital transformation and develop a high-quality tourism workforce in order to prepare for the recovery and development processes in the near future.

Vietnamese football a silver lining in Southeast Asia

The development of Vietnamese football and the V.League’s appeal and competitiveness as a top professional football league have drawn many international players and experts to the country.

Vietnam Airlines set to perform better than expected

National carrier Vietnam Airlines expects 2020 losses of VND12 trillion ($521.11 million), about 17 percent lower than it had forecast in August.

Source: Nhan Dan Online