Visitors to Hue by sea

Opportunity to attract customers

Recently, the Government issued Resolution 11/NQ-CP on visa exemption under the tourism development stimulus program in 2025 for citizens of the Republic of Poland, the Czech Republic and the Swiss Confederation. This policy will be implemented from March 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025. Citizens of the above 3 countries can enter Vietnam for tourism purposes without a visa. This is one of the favorable conditions to attract visitors.

A flexible and open visa policy is expected to help improve competitiveness, create more attraction for international visitors, and be a lever to help develop the country's tourism. Since mid-August 2023, Vietnam has had a new visa policy when it decided to expand the issuance of electronic visas (e-visas) to citizens of all countries and territories and increase the temporary stay period from 30 to 90 days, with an unlimited number of entries and exits. In addition, the temporary stay period of citizens of 13 countries with unilateral visa exemptions has been increased to 45 days.

Mr. Truong Thanh Minh, Director of the Tourism Promotion Information Center, said that the above visa policies bring many opportunities to attract visitors. When the procedures are convenient, visitors will prioritize choosing destinations. The current visa policy also helps to extend the length of stay in Vietnam. The trend of visitors to Vietnam is to want to explore many places, when the visa policy is open, they can easily choose and add more destinations in their journey to explore the S-shaped country. From there, it opens up many opportunities for Hue tourism and localities doing tourism.

Ms. Duong Thi Cong Ly, Vice President of the Travel Association, Director of the Hue Branch of Vietnam - Hanoi Tourism Joint Stock Company, shared that in tourism, the feelings of customers are very important. In favorable conditions, bringing good feelings, customers make decisions very quickly. On the contrary, in some cases, they feel difficult, or have to wait, they can make other decisions about choosing a destination. A flexible visa policy is also the desire of travel businesses, because when applying for a visa, the tour cost also increases and requires waiting time. On the other hand, the visa exemption policy creates a friendly feeling for customers. Customers feel respected and welcomed. Vietnamese travel businesses can also easily cooperate with international partners in introducing and selling tours to customers.

Introducing painting to tourists at a tourist facility in Thuy Bieu

Attracting visitors to Hue

Compared to other localities in the country, Hue's diverse tourism potential and resources are the basis for developing many types of tourism. In fact, on average, Hue attracts tourists from 120 to 130 countries and territories every year. According to the leader of the Hue City Tourism Association, travel businesses always monitor and adhere to tourism policies to ensure operations. Regarding visa policies, businesses also send notifications to partner businesses and tourists so that they know and make decisions for their travel itineraries to Hue and other localities in Vietnam.

The important thing is that when the policy is open, attracting visitors to Hue and extending the time still requires many solutions. According to Mr. Minh, visitors really need products that have a deep cultural experience. Typically, with Hue singing, many visitors not only want to listen and watch the performance but also want to experience learning Hue singing. Or for community tourism, visitors want to transform into a local, deeply experiencing the daily life of the people.

Ms. Ly also assessed that tourism products are an important factor. Each market has different requirements and the research and development of products to meet the needs of customers. To be attractive, tourism products must be different, based on the characteristics of the destination, meeting the wishes of tourists will prolong their stay in Hue.

Some travel agencies wish that Hue should pay attention to having more night tourism activities. That is the condition to keep visitors staying and also the basis for travel agencies to build and add to their tours. Hue has formed night streets and night walking streets, but the activities do not really have a highlight to attract visitors. The tourism industry and local authorities need to research to invest and add more programs and activities related to Hue culture and cuisine, creating more experiences for visitors.

The Department of Tourism leader said that in addition to cultural heritage tourism products, the tourism industry also researches, develops and invests in other types of complementary tourism. In the coming time, Hue tourism will also add tourism products to the tourism service chain of the ancient capital and link localities to create long-term accommodation products.

Article and photos: HUU PHUC