At a recent seminar on aviation - tourism cooperation held in Da Nang, Director General of the Vietnam National Administration (VNAT) of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh said that after opening on March 15, Vietnam's tourism gradually recovered, especially domestic tourism, with 101.3 million visitors in 2022.

However, the number of international tourists to Vietnam is still limited, with about 3.5 million arrivals, reaching over 70% of the set target.

The reason, according to Mr. Khanh, is that the opening time is not the peak season, which lasts from October to March. In addition, pandemic prevention and open-door policies of countries differ. After the pandemic, Vietnam's tourism has had to compete fiercely with other countries.

He said that Vietnam's tourism is in need of breakthrough mechanisms and policies related to entry and visa procedures, air-road transport connections, and tourism promotion.

Mr. Bui Minh Dang, Deputy Head of the Air Transport Department, and Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (Ministry of Transport), said that more than 63 foreign and four Vietnamese airlines have operated on 154 international air routes connecting 26 countries and territories to five places in Vietnam.

Vietnam has restored most international air routes compared to the time before the pandemic (2019). Only the Russian market is frozen and the Chinese market is still limited in operating frequency (16 flights per week for each side).

The necessary 'handshake'

Mr. Bui Minh Dang said that in the coming time, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, with aviation authorities of China and India, will discuss the legal conditions for the operation of Vietnamese airlines to these countries.

In addition, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam will strengthen coordination with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism in expanding markets, and promoting aviation - tourism cooperation and Vietnam as a safe and attractive destination after the pandemic.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh said that airfares usually account for one-third of the cost of a tour. Therefore, the aviation and tourism sectors need to work closely to create tourism products with suitable prices for customers, he emphasized.

He suggested that the two industries "join hands" to develop tourism product packages based on renewing mainstream tourism product lines, including sea and island tourism, cultural tourism (food and heritage), ecotourism (community tourism) and urban tourism (MICE). In addition, resort tourism, medical tourism, wellness tourism also needs attention, investment and development to meet the new demands of the market.

"Now is the time for the tourism and aviation industries to quickly seize the opportunity to recover in the new context, making Vietnam a prestigious destination with a competitive position," Khanh said.

Ho Giap