The prime minister has rejected a Vietnam National Administration of Tourism proposal for a long holiday on the National Day this year to help boost the tourism sector.
Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung speaks with the media
The government head said demand in the whole economy needed to be stimulated rather than creating an extended break.
According to the proposal, the National Day holiday would start from September 2 to the end of September 6.
Due to Covid-19, Vietnam has only received 3.7 million international tourists in the first five months of this year, a decrease of 50% compared to the same period last year. The number of domestic tourists also decreased by 58.5% to 16 million. 95% of the tour firms have had to halt business. The number of newly-registered firms decreased by 48%. The occupancy rate is staying at 20% compared to the rate of 50% in the previous year.
The administration forecasted that the total domestic tourists in 2020 will reach 65 million. Vietnam will welcome 6-8 million international tourists if it can receive tourists in the third quarter and 4.5-5 million tourists if it reopens to tourists in the fourth quarter.
Ngo Minh Thien, director of the Hanoi branch of Gotadi Tourism Technology Company, said only domestic tourism can save tour agents right now and they needed simultaneous solutions from the authorities such as lower entrance fees. For the time being, a long National Day Holiday could help boost tourism.
Pham Minh Quang, director of Dolphin Tour, said, "A long National Day Holiday may encourage tourists to book tours that normally they can't. It will create more opportunities for the industry to develop after social distancing and a shorter summer holiday. We still need measures to stimulate consumption and boost incomes or else people will only choose nearby locations with limited options."
However, on June 10, Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung said he rejected the idea of a long holiday for National Day and the PM also agreed with him.
According to Dung, not only the tourism sector had been affected by Covid-19. After the social distancing period, the whole country was trying to resume businesses and boost the economy. Therefore, everyone should try hard for the rest of the year instead of taking a long break. Moreover, it's nearly impossible to have a five-day holiday and still have full workdays.
"The PM agreed with me and concluded that there will be no long holiday," Dung said.
Moreover, since the new school-year starts on September 5, parents will have to spend time to take care and bring their children to schools, they don't have time to travel.
