In 2023, Vietnamese tourism continues to affirm its position on the world tourism map, and competitiveness continues to improve.
2023: Exceeding target
Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, said that in 2023, the world situation will have many complicated developments. Global tourism will only recover at nearly 90% compared to the time before the COVID-19 pandemic, in which Asia will recover the slowest, reaching only 62%.
In Vietnam, despite many difficulties and challenges, the socio-economic situation has shown a positive recovery trend. The tourism industry welcomed 12.6 million international visitors, exceeding the initial target by 57% and reaching the adjusted target (12-13 million). Domestic visitors reached 108 million, exceeding the 2023 plan by 6%. Total tourism revenue is estimated at VND 678,000 billion, exceeding the 2023 plan by 4.3%.
However, the General Statistics Office estimates that the number of tourists mentioned above is only 70% of 2019 - the year before the pandemic. The General Statistics Office's report shows that revenue from accommodation and food services in 2023 is estimated at VND 673,500 billion, accounting for 10.8% of total tourism revenue and increasing by 14.7% over the previous year; tourism revenue is estimated at VND 37,800 billion, increasing by 52.5%...
On the local side, Da Nang's tourism revenue increased by 133.8% compared to 2022, Ho Chi Minh City increased by 68%, Hanoi increased by 47.5%, Hai Phong increased by 41.9%, Can Tho increased by 29.1%... Ho Chi Minh City continues to be the leading locality in the country in terms of visitor rate, revenue and contribution to Vietnam's tourism industry with nearly 5 million international visitors and nearly 35 million domestic visitors, total revenue of over 160,000 billion VND. Meanwhile, the total number of visitors to Hanoi is estimated at 24 million, an increase of 27% compared to 2022 (an increase of 9.1% compared to the plan, equivalent to 83% of the results in 2019).
Tourists visit Ho Chi Minh City by double-decker bus Photo: BINH AN
At the World Travel Awards ceremony in September 2023, Vietnam was honored as the "World's Leading Heritage Destination". The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism received the title of "Asia's Leading Tourism Management Agency" for the fourth time while many destinations and tourism businesses received many prestigious awards.
To achieve the above results, according to the assessment of Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, in 2023, the mechanisms and policies to support tourism development and support tourism businesses will continue to be reviewed, adjusted, supplemented and issued promptly. Facilitation for international tourists has changed dramatically, especially in immigration and visa procedures. Tourism products have been renewed, become more attractive and have better competitiveness. Many new destinations have been invested in, and the system of technical facilities serving tourism has been improved.
Tourism development is placed in the overall work of culture, foreign affairs, conservation, promotion of heritage values, sports activities, and trade and investment promotion. Tourism events are organized with focus and key points, creating attraction and spreading in localities...
2024: 4 requirements set forth
In 2024, the global tourism industry will still face many difficulties and challenges, especially in the context of the unpredictable developments in the world situation.
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism stated that although there was a significant recovery in 2023, domestic tourism will still face challenges in the general difficult picture of global tourism in 2024. The socio-economic situation is stable, the economy continues to grow, inflation is controlled, but the risk of disease still exists, natural disasters, storms and floods... continue to develop abnormally, affecting production - business activities and people's lives.
Meanwhile, the needs of international tourists are constantly changing, requiring increasingly high product quality, experience, diversity and uniqueness. In 2024, Vietnam tourism aims to welcome 17-18 million international visitors, expected to recover 95%-100% compared to 2019. The industry also plans to serve 110 million domestic visitors, of which about 72.5 million are staying. Total tourism revenue in 2024 is estimated at VND840,000 billion, 1.25 times higher than in 2023 and 1.2 times higher than in 2019.
Minister Nguyen Van Hung set out four requirements for the Vietnam National Tourism Administration. First, focus on advising on perfecting institutions and policies; reviewing shortcomings that need to be adjusted, international commitments in the tourism sector; collaborating with ministries and sectors to create policies to develop product types such as agricultural tourism, digital transformation in tourism, etc.
Second, continue to strengthen state management in the tourism sector. In addition to legal tools, it is necessary to focus on strengthening tourism statistics and digital transformation to improve efficiency and provide good data to practically serve the planning of tourism development policies. Strengthen the management of travel businesses, tour guides, and tourist accommodation establishments...
Third, strengthen training and development of staff to meet job requirements in the new situation, especially in foreign languages and technology.
Fourth, promote tourism based on close coordination with the Tourism Development Support Fund. Develop a year-round promotion and advertising plan and be proactive in preparing and implementing it on schedule.
To achieve the set goals, according to the leader of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the tourism industry needs to make efforts to synchronously implement solutions to promote policy making and state management in specialized fields... Mr. Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, said that to accelerate the reception of tourists, it is necessary to restructure the international market and promote tourism.
Mr. LE TRUONG HIEN HOA, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism:
Ho Chi Minh City strives to welcome 6 million international visitors
In 2024, Ho Chi Minh City tourism will focus on implementing solutions, focusing on improving the quality of direction and management, striving to complete development targets and tasks with the goal of welcoming about 6 million international visitors and about 38 million domestic visitors. Total tourism revenue is estimated at 190,000 billion VND.
To achieve this goal, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism will maximize its advantages, creating conditions for healthy competition for businesses and the tourism development community. Focus on implementing the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Development Strategy to 2030; continue to carry out administrative reforms, apply information technology to management activities to serve people and businesses. Organize the promotion of Ho Chi Minh City tourism to foreign markets through international media channels; participate in and build tourism promotion booths in foreign markets...
Mr. NGUYEN HUU Y YEN, Chairman of the Board of Members of Saigontourist Travel Service Company:
Flexible business strategy
In 2024, it is forecasted that the world and Vietnam tourism industry will still face many difficulties according to the general situation. However, with preparation, flexible adaptation, and promotion of innovation, this will be an exciting year for Vietnam tourism.
Saigontourist Travel has clearly defined appropriate strategies for three business segments: domestic tourism, foreign tourism and international tourism. Saigontourist Travel will continue to invest and develop creative, diverse and quality products and services, promoting the exploitation of MICE tourism in addition to pure tourists. 2024 will be a year of continued key development, promoting the exploitation of international tourism in Vietnam. We will continue to promote the implementation of products and services by air, sea, river, road, especially cruise tourism; closely cooperate with tourism agencies in many countries to bring international tourists the opportunity to explore many new destinations in Vietnam.
Mr. TRAN QUANG DUY, Director of Penguin Travel Service Company:
Connect and support to make the tour more attractive
Ho Chi Minh City tourism is creating attraction with unique products, including the connection and linkage of travel agencies with tourist destinations and sightseeing spots.
However, for tourism to recover more quickly in 2024 and become more attractive to tourists, stronger connections are needed, especially to stabilize the prices of participating destinations, contributing to stabilizing tour prices. Personnel at destinations are also an important factor in providing information to tourists, acting as "ambassadors" to promote the image of that destination.
Recorded by Thai Phuong
Forming tourism product value chain
To create a breakthrough in tourism recovery and development in the coming time, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism proposes a number of important solutions.
Accordingly, promote inter-regional and inter-local coordination, cooperation between tourism enterprises, and form tourism product value chains. Focus on drastically implementing tourism promotion activities, speeding up the recovery of the international tourist market. Develop tourism products and services with brands, added value and high competitiveness; promote digital transformation and develop tourism human resources...
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