Positive outlook for Vietnam tourism in 2021 and beyond

Positive outlook for Vietnam tourism in 2021 and beyond

International and tourism industry leaders discussed how to prepare Vietnam to become a leading tourism destination after the COVID-19 pandemic, at the recent roundtable What’s Next for Vietnam Tourism? Challenges and Opportunities 2021 and Beyond.

Organised by RMIT University’s School of Business & Management Tourism and Hospitality Management Program, the discussion included experts in tourism and hospitality, aviation, tour operations, sales, and real estate.

Given the tourism sector contributed 9.2% to Vietnam’s GDP in 2019, and attracted more than 18 million international tourists, 85 million domestic tourists, and more than US$32.8 billion into the country, as well as Vietnam’s successful control of the pandemic, experts predicted a positive outlook for Vietnam tourism.

Panellists at the tourism roundtable proposed solutions to move the Vietnam tourism industry forward post pandemic. Panellists at the tourism roundtable proposed solutions to move the Vietnam tourism industry forward post pandemic.

The panellists proposed upcoming opportunities that included investing in domestic travel, new tourism products, high-quality human resources, digitalisation in tourism, and infrastructure to help the country shine on both the local and international stage. 

RMIT Tourism and Hospitality Management Senior Lecturer and Research Cluster Lead Dr Nuno Ribeiro, said the main purpose of the roundtable was to generate positive dialogue between sectors of Vietnam’s tourism industry, so that together solutions can be found to move Vietnam tourism forward after the pandemic. 

“I am certain that Vietnam will become one of the leading tourism destinations, not just in Southeast Asia but in the world,” Dr Ribeiro said.

“We are already seeing positive signs of these efforts with a very dynamic domestic tourism market, and the Government’s initiatives have been extremely successful in generating more demand for internal travel while maintaining rigorous health and safety standards.” 

Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center Director Le Truong Hien Hoa said promoting domestic tourism and building up smart tourism in Vietnam are the major objectives. Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center Director Le Truong Hien Hoa said promoting domestic tourism and building up smart tourism in Vietnam are the major objectives.

Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Promotion Center Director Le Truong Hien Hoa said promoting domestic tourism and building up smart tourism in Vietnam were the major objectives in 2021. 

“One of the main focuses of Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism this year is deploying joint programs with Vietnamese key economic zones and provinces as well as tourism industries to build up new tourism products and services to promote domestic tourism,” Mr Hoa said.

 “This year is also a good time for Ho Chi Minh City to implement smart tourism,” he added. “Our tourism database is playing a key role to ensure successful smart travel projects which need to involve many industries and fields in standardising the data collection system and digitising travel services.” 

Vietravel Inbound Department Deputy Manager Tran Thi Thuy Trang advised that Vietnam should promote the country as a safe and attractive destination in the world.

“Not only the tourism and hospitality industry, but also the Government need to showcase and promote the image of Vietnam tourism as a safe destination so that we can increase international tourists once Vietnam borders reopen and travel normalises,” Ms Trang said. 

The Grand Ho Tram Hotel and Casino Chief Operating Officer Craig Douglas stressed the importance of high-quality human resource development post pandemic.  

“With several projects still moving forward in the country not only in the tourism industry but also in other industries, and the relocation of international manufacturing companies to Vietnam, the demand for human resources will be a big challenge and reinforce our people as the most valuable asset,” Mr Douglas said. 

The Grand Ho Tram Hotel and Casino Chief Operating Officer Craig Douglas stressed the importance of high-quality human resource development as industry grows in Vietnam. The Grand Ho Tram Hotel and Casino Chief Operating Officer Craig Douglas stressed the importance of high-quality human resource development as industry grows in Vietnam.

Other panellists at the roundtable included Intercontinental Hotel & Residences, Area Manager Vietnam and Laos General Manager Colin McCandless, Independent Board Member of Vietravel La Quoc Khanh, JLL Vietnam Senior Director and Head of Markets Trang Bui, Lotte Saigon Head of Business Development Émelie Braun Cruickshank and Lufthansa Group Vietnam Country Manager Do Van Anh Thu.

Story: Thuy Le

20 January 2021

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