A visitor at Phuoc Duyen Tower in Hue City. Tourist sites in Thua Thien – Hue Province have re-opened from October 1
Travel restrictions
Director of Flamingo Redtours Company, Nguyen Cong Hoan said that he had just attended a tourism fair on developing new products but was not sure how to organise tours now due to the travelling restrictions at many localities.
"Vinh Phuc Province requires visitors from Hanoi to show a negative Covid-19 result using quick testing which is valid for 72 hours," he explained. "But the result is only valid for 24 hours in Tuyen Quang Province. However, Thai Nguyen Province only accepts a negative Covid-19 result using PCR testing. These different rules are making it impossible for tour operators to design tours to a place that must run through these provinces. So how to travel smoothly among localities is now the most difficult problem for tour operators in Vietnam."
Risks from new outbreaks
Speaking at a recent conference on resuming domestic tourism, CEO of Thien Phuoc Travel Company, Nguyen Van Hau, shared that many local firms are still not willing to invest in the industry if the pandemic is not completely brought under control.
"After nearly two years hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, we’re not too optimistic about the opening announcements from some tourist destinations," he said. "The recent long and large-scale outbreak has forced us to close completely and we’ll have to start up again from the beginning. We have to find new locations for headquarters and branches, recruit new staff members, and plan new promotional campaigns. Meanwhile, a new outbreak may occur at any time and all the destinations may close right after that. It's too risky for us."
Hau added that even though some tour operators want to resume operations at some destinations, they will face various difficulties when many transport companies and restaurants and bars still close. And one of the biggest challenges is recruiting new staff as a report showed that over two million tourism staff members have turned to other sectors.
Prices
Hoan said that they don't have any budget for discounts to attract customers when resuming operations this time.
"We’ve offered lots of discounts when resuming operations after the three previous outbreaks but there won’t be more discounts this time," he said. "Tour prices may even increase because we have to pay for some Covid-19 prevention activities including testing fees and protective devices. In addition, flight tickets may also increase due to the social distancing rules."
Vice-chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, Vu The Binh said that while some localities have already opened tourist sites, many others are still reluctant, fearing about possible virus spread.
"Many provinces have well-controlled the pandemic but local officials are just too cautious," Binh said. "They may lose some good opportunities and lag behind others in recovering the tourism sector."
