Vietnam is at the peak of herd immunity, opening Vietnam tourism to contribute to economic recovery, localities are also ready.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism proposed to open all tourism from April 30, but many ministries, sectors, localities and businesses proposed an earlier time for three reasons.

Vietnam at the peak of herd immunity

It is expected that on March 30, Vietnam will complete the third Covid-19 vaccine for its people and we are having a high rate of vaccine coverage.

"Vietnam is at the peak of herd immunity and may open sooner than April 30. If you have been vaccinated but still sit still, the vaccine fee will be charged," said Dr. Thu Anh, an expert in epidemiology. She said Vietnam is having high vaccine coverage, although many cases are mild, so it can be safely adapted.

The solutions for living together are to ensure that people are vaccinated, have the narrowest distance between people (wearing a mask) and have good treatment capacity. In which there is no solution is "closed tourism", because closure also does not reduce the spread. Ms. Thu Anh suggested that tourists entering Vietnam only need to meet the conditions of vaccination, test negative for nCoV 72 hours before boarding the plane to minimize pressure on the Ministry of Health.

Over the past two months, Vietnam has welcomed more than 8,500 international tourists, with 27 cases of Covid-19. Of which, only one case required treatment at a medical facility, the rest had no symptoms and were negative after 3-5 days. All are handled according to the correct process, not causing community infection.

Opening up contributes to economic recovery

"The opening of tourism is a matter of survival for tourism recovery in particular and the economy in general" is the thesis of Mr. Vu The Binh, Vice Chairman of Vietnam Tourism Association. Because tourism is also the beginning, affecting a series of other economic sectors, the collapse of tourism entails other industries such as service provision.

Two months ago, Vietnam held a pilot program to open doors in localities with high vaccination rates and good medical capacity. Up to now, the situation is completely different when the whole country is covered with a vaccine and has a lot of experience in the prevention and control of Covid-19. Mr. Binh proposed to officially open the door but no longer pilot. He believes there will be at least 7,800 businesses ready to deposit and register to welcome guests back when Vietnam announces the time.

Mr. Truong Gia Binh, Head of the Research and Development Department of the Private Economy (Board IV), said that not opening the door would miss a "golden opportunity" to restore tourism. He said that in 2019, there were 250 million international visitors to mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam. Until now, when the above countries and territories have not reopened, Vietnam can take the lead to clear this congested tourist flow, raising the position of the tourism industry.

According to Mr. Binh, tourism businesses are too much to bear. If they don't open, 2.5 million businesses will face difficulties. The economy is open to safe adaptation, while tourism remains closed is absurd.

Ms. Tran Thi Nguyen, Sales Director of Sun World, proposed to open the door on March 31 so that businesses can be more prepared. She said the international visitor market needs at least 1-2 months to promote and advertise before returning, and opening a month before the holiday of April 30 also creates conditions to handle arising and risks. ro.

The Sun World representative also proposed stopping the pilot of receiving international visitors with vaccine passports with current regulations because of the lack of high results. In 2 months, only more than 8,500 guests are welcomed, of which 50% are Vietnamese residing abroad or having a Vietnamese spouse. "The negative feedback from tourists about testing many times, only staying in hotels shows that Vietnam can lose its position and reputation when it actually opens. Meanwhile, many places are ready, especially aviation, even opening in February", Nguyen said.

All localities have plans to open doors

As the visitor transfer center of Northern tourism, Hanoi plays an important role in opening up to international visitors when welcoming 7 million visitors in 2019. Mr. Nguyen Manh Quyen, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee, proposed the time point 1/4. The city also asked localities to unify regulations of the Ministry of Health to create a safe circulation corridor.

A representative of the Hanoi Department of Tourism said that the time of April 1 is suitable for businesses to have the opportunity to "warm up" after a long time of freezing, ready to serve tourists during the holiday of April 30 and April 30. SEA Games 31 in May. Until January 21, Hanoi has achieved the vaccination rate of 99.8% of the 1st dose and 99.5% of the 2nd dose. The department is also calling for human resources to return to focus on work. educate. Over the past time, tourist areas and attractions have actively renewed their products with tours to experience the old town by tram, "French architecture in the heart of Hanoi" by the National History Museum...

Ha Giang is also in the process of applying for permission to welcome international visitors. Mr. Tran Duc Quy, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, expressed his high determination. After 2 months of opening, Ha Giang has attracted more than 365,000 domestic visitors, room occupancy is 80-100% and no problems arise. Through the experience of welcoming domestic customers, businesses have adapted well, forming a closed supply chain to stimulate demand and innovate products. Ha Giang is building a process to welcome guests, including full requirements for travel businesses, service providers and process of customer service and troubleshooting.

Representatives of Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee, one of 7 localities that have been piloted to welcome international visitors, strongly agreed with the proposal to open all tourism. Last time, the locality welcomed 28 flights, 7,000 guests, complying with the guidance of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Currently, Khanh Hoa's vaccination rate is 92.3% for the second dose for 18-year-olds and is in the process of getting the third dose. The province's tourism industry has also appraised 47 standard service providers. The province is also ready to prepare medical facilities and resources... Currently, there are 12 medical facilities capable of collecting and treating Covid-19 for international guests, in addition, 43 hotels are facilities. concentrated isolation when necessary.

Many other localities such as Quang Nam, Ho Chi Minh City, Kien Giang... also expressed their agreement and prepared carefully to welcome guests back.

Vietnam stopped to welcome international visitors from March 2020 due to the Covid-19 epidemic and piloted again in November 2021. Up to now, Vietnam has welcomed more than 8,500 guests, mainly from Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Singapore, UK, USA, Canada...