Nguyen Thi Hai Nam, deputy general director of Vietnam Global International Travel Group Co., said her company is working with partners to review the quality of restaurants that specialize in serving Chinese tourists.

Chinese passengers arrive in Cam Ranh Airport in Khanh Hoa Province, central Vietnam, January 2023.

After three years without Chinese visitors, many restaurants have shut down or scaled down operations to cut losses, Nam said.

Some tourist hotspots like Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Da Nang are struggling with the shortage of restaurants serving Chinese cuisine, she said, adding this was an urgent issue that should be dealt with soon because eating is the top concern of Chinese visitors while traveling abroad.

Normally, restaurants serving Chinese tourists must have a large space because visitors from the world’s largest outbound tourism market always travel in big groups from 15 to 20 people.

In addition, the dishes on the menu must also suit the taste of Chinese people because they are not used to eating Vietnamese-style dishes, Nam added.

Tuan, director of a restaurant in Ha Long that used to be a favorite hotspot of Chinese visitors, said he had borrowed hundreds of million dong (VND1 million is equivalent to $42.56) to upgrade his restaurant and hire dozens of staff in preparation for the return of Chinese tourists on March 15.

"I'm busy these days repairing my restaurant and seeking professional executants to serve Chinese tourists while they enjoy their food," he said.

Tuan also plans to hire a teacher to teach Chinese language to his staff.

Pham Tu, project manager of leading recruitment firm Hoteljob, said because Chinese often travel in large groups, they tend to choose large-scale hotels but with mid-range prices.

Nguyen Son Tung, former manager of a four-star hotel in Hanoi's Old Quarter, added that communicating with Chinese tourists is quite difficult because they rarely speak English and hotels and restaurants specializing in serving Chinese tourists often have to hire more Chinese-speaking staff.

However, the preparation for welcoming back Chinese tourists is facing some problems.

Many travel firms said they were only informed that Chinese tourists can visit Vietnam beginning March 15, but they had not received any official document related to the immigration policy and visa requirements.

China on Tuesday announced it would begin re-issuing various categories of visas to foreigners from March 15 as the country reopened its borders after three years of Covid-19 containment measures.

China was Vietnam's biggest source of foreign tourists with 5.5 million arrivals in 2019.

HSBC predicts that Vietnam could receive three to 4.5 million visitors from China this year, equivalent to 50%-80% of pre-pandemic levels.

Suoi Mo ecotourism site welcomes over 35,000 tourist arrivals

(BGO) – Since early this year, Suoi Mo ecotourism site in Luc Nam district (Bac Giang province) has welcomed more than 35,000 tourist arrivals, 14,000 of which flocked to the destination in February, reported the Site Management Board.

Luc Ngan taps traditional festival, develops tourism

(BGO) – Sloonghao singing festival and Spring market in highland of Luc Ngan district (Sloonghao festival) was among the events held in Bac Giang Culture – Tourism Week 2023. It took place from February 1 – 4 in Tan Son and Phong Van communes. Thanks to thorough preparation and warm response from local ethnic minority groups, it has echoed as the premise for the district to organize this year Culture and Sport Festival of Ethnic Minonority Groups in Luc Ngan district  and develop local tourism.

Bac Giang effectively taps typical tourism products

(BGO) - After nearly two years of implementing Resolution 112 of the provincial Party Committee on tourism development in the province for 2021-2025, with orientation to 2030, with the active engagement of the Party committees, authorities and competent agencies, the local tourism picture has bright colors.

300,000 tourist arrivals flock to Vinh Nghiem pagoda festival

(BGO)- During the 3-day festival this year, Vinh Nghiem pagoda in Tri Yen commune, Yen Dung district, Bac Giang province recorded the highest number of visitors at about 300,000 arrivals.

Impression of Bac Giang Culture – Tourism Week 2023

(BGO) – Bac Giang Culture – Tourism Week 2023 took place from February 1 – 6, featuring attractive activities held across localities in Bac Giang province such as Tay Yen Tu spiritual – ecotourism complex in Son Dong district, Mo Spring Ecotourism site, Than Nong temple, Bat Nha pagada in Luc Nam district, Vinh Nghiem pagoda in Yen Dung district among others. It attracted and left deep impression on visitors near and far.

Source: VnExpress