The coordination aims to make preparations for the resumption of tourism activities in Hanoi when the COVID-19 pandemic is fully controlled.
Deputy Director of Hanoitourist Travel Company Le Hong Thai said the company has developed five groups of tourism products including safe homestays, safe hotels, safe caravan tours, safe tourism in autumn and safe MICE (meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition) services.
Notably, the products for Hanoi, with the highlight being a caravan tour to the Duong Lam ancient village, will be very attractive. Hanoitourist will also prepare a series of autumn tours, offering an opportunity for visitors to explore and enjoy the specialties of the capital city and many other northern localities during the autumn. A tour to ancient architectural works in Hanoi, from the National Museum of History to Hanoi Opera House and Tonkin Palace (now Government Guest House) will help tourists learn more about Indochinese architecture.
“In addition to tours to Hanoi, travel agencies continue to maintain caravan products that have were launched in 2020 to visit the northwestern region, Hung King Temple, Nam Dinh province as well as carry out several new caravan products to Hoa Lu ancient capital (in Ninh Binh province), Sapa (in Lao Cai), Binh Lieu and Quang Hanh (in Quang Ninh) and Hoang Su Phi (in Ha Giang). In order to ensure safety, participants in the tours will be divided into small groups by private vehicle and will only visit for a short time (mainly three days – two nights)”, added Le Hong Thai.
Evaluating the preparations made by travel agencies in Hanoi to restore tourism activities, Deputy Director of the Hanoi municipal Department of Tourism Tran Trung Hieu stressed that these activities will be an active response to a World Tourism Day themed “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”. He also said that it is essential to promote close coordination among service providers, destinations, authorities, organisations and associations to restore tourism activities in an effective and safe manner. A series of tourism products that connect Hanoi with its surrounding localities such as Quang Ninh, Hoa Binh, Lai Chau, Dien Bien and Phu Tho, as well as a number of criteria of safety for tourism activities, were launched in 2020. However, amidst the more complicated developments of the pandemic, tourism recovery this year is no longer the same as before. Accordingly, strategies and conditions should be changed to suit the “new normal”.
"Green tourism products, safe travel routes, safe accommodations, safe entertainment and safe tourists should be prepared methodically. Units and destinations that do not meet the requirements of COVID-19 prevention and control will not be allowed to operate”, noted Tran Trung Hieu.
According to the Hanoi municipal Department of Tourism, units have developed tourism recovery scenarios in line with the new situation. When conditions allow, the department will enhance the connection of “green tourist destinations” with the participation of "green travel businesses" to carry out “green tourism journeys” for visitors who are provided with certificates of COVID-19 vaccination and testing.
