The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a gloomy picture being painted of Vietnam’s tourism industry in the first quarter of the year, as it triggered an 18.1 percent decline in foreign arrivals.

Hanoi still falls behind many major cities in the region and the world regarding foreign tourist arrivals, according to a survey of the municipal Department of Tourism which was revealed on January 16.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will develop tourism into a spearhead by 2030, creating impetus to boost the growth of other industries, and making significant contributions to shaping a modern economy.