Nguyen Anh Tuan, director of the Institute for Tourism Development Research, pointed out several problems: investors' focus on short-term products, lack of creativity in developing tourism products, and unreasonable zoning. 

To effectively develop sea tourism, investment in infrastructure is needed, especially seaports for tourism.

Vietnam also needs to satisfy demands of different markets, with special attention paid to environmental protection.

Pham Ngoc Thuy, director of the Quang Ninh Tourism Department, shared the same view on environmental protection, saying Vietnam will pay a heavy price if it does not take action on this.  

“If localities don’t have specific characteristics to serve as a long-term focus, they won’t be able to develop well. In addition to  existing products, including sea bathing and resorts, we also have landscapes and shore space. We now have 175 cruise ships for overnight services,” Thuy said. 

Cao Tri Dung, chair of the Da Nang Tourism Association, said Vietnam needs an overall national strategy on sea tourism development, and a legal framework.

Vu The Binh, chair of the Vietnam Tourism Association, said Resolution 36 dated October 22, 2018  stipulates that Vietnam will become a powerful sea-borne country, meet criteria in sustainable sea-borne development, and successfully develop sea-borne business fields. Of these, tourism and sea services will be a top priority.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Doan Van Viet said that sea and island tourism activities pre-pandemic accounted for about 70 percent of the activities of Vietnam's tourism industry.

In 2010-2019, the number of travelers to coastal localities increased more rapidly than the country’s average growth rate (13.6 percent in foreign travelers and 12.3 percent in domestic travelers). 

In 2019 alone, Vietnam received 34 million foreign travelers and 145.6 million domestic travelers.

Ho Giap