In anticipation of the upcoming Mekong Tourism Forum that will be held in Quang Nam from 12 to 13 October, Doan Van Viet, Vietnam’s deputy minister of culture, sports and tourism, outlines the vision and latest tourism priorities for the country.

1. Target set for five million international arrivals

In the last “normal” year, 2019, we attracted over 18 million foreign visitors. China, South Korea, Japan are traditionally our biggest markets. We have the ambitious target of attracting five million foreign tourists in 2022, up from almost zero in 2021, which was due to Covid-19.

In the first eight months of 2022, we welcomed over 1.2 million international tourists. Besides the international market, Vietnam’s tourism industry aim was to serve 60 million domestic tourists by the end of 2022. However, the number of domestic visitors has already exceeded the target, reaching 79.8 million visitors. Domestic tourism is forecast to fully recover in 2022.

2. Sustainable and responsible travel are top focus

We completely re-opened the door for tourism from 15 March 2022. Vietnam is one of very few countries in the Asia-Pacific region opening to international tourism without any entry conditions required.

We promote communication to attract international tourists to Vietnam with the campaign “Live fully in Viet Nam”. The Vietnam tourism marketing plan 2022 - 2023 is to bring an image of a safe, friendly and hospitable Viet Nam to the world. We are focussing on smart and sustainable tourism development followed by green and responsible travel.

3. Quang Nam province a key player in Vietnam’s tourism marketing plans

[The Quang Nam province] plays an increasingly important role as part of our tourism cluster strategy. Quang Nam together with Da Nang, Thua Thien Hue will be one of the clusters in Central Vietnam.

The national tourism year 2022 was chosen to be held in Quang Nam with the theme of ‘green destination’ because of its potential. It is already known as a visitor-friendly destination thanks to its natural resources and wonderful coastline. It offers a vibrant culinary scene, many cultural attractions, and a diverse history, especialy Hoi An ancient town.

For tourists seeking a sustainable travel experience where you can learn as well as appreciate nature, Quang Nam is home to productive farms, handicraft villages, rivers, mountains, and unspoiled natural attractions.

4. Vietnam Tourism Development Strategy to guide the way until 2030

We have a lot going on, much of it guided by the Vietnam Tourism Development Strategy to 2030. The strategy clearly defines our goal in developing modern and holistic infrastructure, especially transport infrastructure in tourism clusters, national tourist sites and areas with tourism potential.

We are taking an inclusive approach to tourism infrastructure development, which focuses not only on international-class tourism destinations, such as Hoi An, Sapa, Ha Long, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, but also on secondary tourism destinations, especially ones with potential to connect to regional tourism networks. Regarding Greater Mekong Subregion cooperation, for the last 20 years, Vietnam has participated in four regional tourism infrastructure development projects sponsored by the Asian Development Bank, among which the latest is the Second GMS Tourism Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth Project.

These projects were designed to improve the accessibility to secondary tourism destinations in provinces along GMS economic corridors as well as to enhance the environmnental conditions and urban infrastructure for tourism development.

5. Three positive outcomes from the 2022 Mekong Tourism Forum

There are three outcomes we would like.

First, to strengthen linkages between the leaders of the sub-region's tourism industry, with the aim of rapidly recovering the tourism industry in a sustainable, resilient and comprehensive way, to promote the sub-region's tourism as a common destination.

Second, to introduce the city of Hoi An, voted as one of the 25 best cities in the world; also, to introduce Quang Nam in Central Viet Nam as an ideal destination for green and sustainable tourism, rich in cultural values, full of amenities of a top-class beach resort.

Third, the Forum demonstrates the recovery of the tourism industry, the return of sellers and buyers in the region, after a period of travel freeze. Our aim is to promote a rapid recovery of international tourism and create sustainable tourism supply and demand.

6. A message to all tourism players

We should focus on practical goals that make the travel and tourism industry better for the benefit of our populations.

My message is, “Let’s act together for sustainable tourism growth.” I hope all delegates arrive in a positive state of mind to listen, learn and return home motivated to “Rebuild Tourism, Rebound with Resilience” - the theme of the 2022 Mekong Tourism Forum.