Businesses expect tourism market to get up steam in Quarter II

Many experts and leaders of travel firms believe that the Vietnamese tourism market will recover quickly from the second quarter of this year following the government’s decision to reopen borders to travel as of March 15.

Foreign tourists travel around UNESCO-recognised Hoi An ancient town in November 2021.

Foreign tourists travel around UNESCO-recognised Hoi An ancient town in November 2021.

The National Tourism Administration of Vietnam reports that more than six million Vietnamese people selected to travel to domestic destinations during the recent nine-day lunar New Year holiday.

Statistics from local agencies show Phu Quoc resort in Kien Giang province welcomed more than 120,000 visitors, while Khanh Hoa served about 98,000 holidaymakers. This is a good signal for the tourism sector, offering the prospect for a positive recovery in 2022.

Tran Doan The Duy, general director of Vietravel, said that the government has eased travel restrictions since it adopted the strategy of living safely with the pandemic late last year, creating conditions for tourism services to get back on track.

Besides traditional and package tours, Vietravel has anticipated a new trend by launching combos of air ticket and hotel room or car rental. It has also provided retail services and changes in distribution channels, offering online services to better suit customers during the pandemic period.

Sharing the view, Mauro Gasparotti, director of Savills Hotels Asia - Pacific, said the tourism sector is showing positive signs of recovery, noting that people have high demand for travel after months of restrictions due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thanks to high vaccination coverage, individual and family tours will recover first, while group tours will need more time to return to pre-pandemic levels, said Gasparotti.

For international tourism, Vietravel CEO Tran Doan The Duy pointed out that inbound and outbound tours are demonstrating signs of recovery though they need more time to pick up steam.

Vietnam has attracted approximately 150,000 foreign travelers under a pilot scheme to welcome back foreign travelers with vaccine passports that started in mid-November 2021. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam’s recent decision to reopen all international air routes starting on February 15 is expected to support the tourism sector’s recovery efforts.

However, health quarantine and visa policies are major barriers to attracting foreign tourists to Vietnamese destinations. For instance, many foreign travelers hesitate to choose Vietnam as a destination as they are required to self-isolate at their places of residence for a period of three days.

In addition, Vietnam has so far recognized vaccine passports of nearly 80 countries and territories, while only 14 countries have approved its similar document. In Southeast Asia alone, Singapore has yet to recognize Vietnam’s vaccine passport. The Republic of Korea, Japan and China have also yet to fully open their door to tourism with Vietnam, according to the Vietravel CEO.

International tourism needs more time to recover to pre-pandemic levels, said CEO Tran Doan The Duy from Vietravel.

To help the tourism sector get back on track, experts and leaders of travel firms requested at a recent meeting that the government should relax health quarantine and visa policies so that Vietnam can keep up with the recovery trend and does not lose out to regional rivals.

VOV

Other News

Private economic sector poised for breakthrough growth

Private economic sector poised for breakthrough growth

More than a year after the Politburo's Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on private sector development came into effect, expectations now extend beyond increasing the number of enterprises. The goal is to build a stronger business community with greater resilience, larger ambitions and the capacity to compete in global supply chains.

Vietnam remains ASEAN growth leader in 2026 despite global headwinds: WB

Vietnam remains ASEAN growth leader in 2026 despite global headwinds: WB

Vietnam is expected to remain one of ASEAN’s fastest-growing economies in 2026, supported by resilient exports, strong investment inflows and an ambitious reform agenda, despite mounting global uncertainties, according to the World Bank’s latest Vietnam Economic Update released on May 15.

Ministry establishes monitoring framework for carbon market

Ministry establishes monitoring framework for carbon market

Under a new circular, the exchange of greenhouse gas emission quotas and carbon credits is conducted on the domestic carbon credit exchange through the carbon trading system, which is interconnected with the national registration system.

Biofuel ready for nationwide rollout

Biofuel ready for nationwide rollout

For biofuels, particularly E10, to develop successfully, stronger and more coordinated policies are needed, especially pricing mechanisms capable of creating a sufficiently attractive gap between E10 and mineral-based petrol, an expert has said.

Vietnamese farm produce promoted at African investment, trade forum

Vietnamese farm produce promoted at African investment, trade forum

The 12th Africa Forum for Investment & Commerce (AFIC 12) opened in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, on May 9, drawing around 2,000 participants, including officials, economists, businesses, financial and development organizagtions from 43 African countries and international partners, including Vietnam.

Int'l medical, pharmaceutical expo opens in Hanoi

Int'l medical, pharmaceutical expo opens in Hanoi

The exhibition, which runs until May 9 at the Hanoi International Centre for Exhibition, showcases advanced products and technologies across a range of fields, including pharmaceuticals, drug manufacturing machinery and equipment, medical devices, hospital and clinic services and dental equipment.

Mega projects to transform Ho Chi Minh City urban landscape

Mega projects to transform Ho Chi Minh City urban landscape

Leading the charge in this massive building spree is the new central city square in the core of the Thu Thiem new urban area. Spanning more than 20 ha, it’s the crown jewel of the Central Square and new administrative center complex.

Vietnam establishes itself as one of region’s most dynamic manufacturing and supply bases

Vietnam establishes itself as one of region’s most dynamic manufacturing and supply bases

The country’s stable political and economic environment provides a critical foundation for long-term sourcing strategies. At the same time, Vietnam has demonstrated a strong ability to scale up manufacturing, supported by a continuously expanding industrial base capable of meeting both high-volume demand and increasingly complex technical and quality requirements.

Vietnamese pomelos gain broader access to Australian market

Vietnamese pomelos gain broader access to Australian market

The update by Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to its Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) on April 10, officially setting out import conditions for Vietnamese pomelos, is regarded as a major milestone in market access efforts.

Vietnam's industry spearheads transition to circular economy

Vietnam's industry spearheads transition to circular economy

The circular economy is no longer just a policy choice. It has become an inevitable trend for delivering sustainable and green growth, sharpening competitiveness at home and abroad, and meeting Vietnam’s net-zero emissions target by 2050. It is now a prerequisite to sustain long-term economic expansion, particularly in industrial production and supporting industries.

Nearly 100 tonnes of Vietnamese fruits, vegetables airlifted to UAE

Nearly 100 tonnes of Vietnamese fruits, vegetables airlifted to UAE

Vietnamese fresh produce and processed foods are increasingly recognised for their quality, with items such as cashew nuts, coffee and spices gaining popularity among Middle East consumers. In 2025, Vietnam’s farm produce exports to the UAE exceeded 445 million USD, up nearly 24% year-on-year.