Bangkok Post: Vietnam reimagines tourism

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The article says Vietnam has become one of the favorite destinations in Southeast Asia for being "rich in history, vibrant in culture and cuisine, with striking landscapes from mountains in the North to beaches along the coast".(Photo: VN Express)

On May 10, Bangkok Post, a famous English journal in Thailand, published an article named "Vietnam reimagines tourism", written by Pattama Kuentak.

The article says Vietnam has become one of the favorite destinations in Southeast Asia for being "rich in history, vibrant in culture and cuisine, with striking landscapes from mountains in the North to beaches along the coast".

In 2019, the country welcomed a record 18 million foreign visitors and generated total revenue of USD 32.8 billion (VND 755 trillion) from both domestic and international tourists. Like some of its other Southeast Asian neighbors, Vietnam relies heavily on tourism. The sector contributed approximately 18.5% to GDP in 2019, according to data from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. While international travellers made up just 17% of the tourists in the country in 2019, their spending accounted for more than half the total, averaging $673 per person per trip, compared with $61 for domestic travelers.

However, due to the pandemic, tourism in Vietnam and elsewhere had been paused. To attract domestic travelers and to be ready to welcome international visitors, operators such as hotels are providing discounts and pre-sales packages to encourage domestic spending.

On May 10, Bangkok Post, a famous English journal in Thailand, published an article named "Vietnam reimagines tourism", written by Pattama Kuentak. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Offering product bundles is one strategy that provides upselling and cross-selling opportunities. Not only does it diversify revenue streams and enhance premium products and pricing, but it also creates opportunities to work together with other players in the sector.

Online booking of travel is now second nature for consumers worldwide, and operators can do more to maximize their impact on digital platforms. The airline industry also needs to step up its digital game. VietJet, the international low-cost airline, is focusing on digital transformation to maximize its capabilities and operational effectiveness.

The McKinsey report suggests the country needs to keep Covid cases low and cannot risk opening its borders until the majority of the population is vaccinated. Vietnam has resumed some international commercial flights to Taiwan, Seoul, Tokyo, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and Guangzhou. Hanoi's decisive responses have paid off, as the country so far has recorded only 35 deaths from just over 3,000 coronavirus cases, and its economy shows the most promising signs in the region.

For now, the government and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism have been driving ecotourism and rural experiences, such as homestays, in line with the increased focus on local travel. The government has also helped ease the financial burden of travel and tourism businesses. It will also focus on diversity and improving product quality together with promoting public-private cooperation.

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