In 2020, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the capital's tourism sector is seriously affected. Tourists to Hanoi were estimated at 8.65 million, equalling 30% of the figure for2019; in which, international visitors were estimated at 1.11 million, down 84%. After two waves of COVID-19, about 90% of the tour operators closed and suspended operations. There are 950 accommodation establishments temporarily suspended.
In the above context, the tourism industry has maintained the organisation of walking space in the area of Hoan Kiem Lake and its neighbouring area; promoting activities of Hanoi book street to attract tourists to Hanoi. In particular, travel agencies and destinations have launched many new tourism products. For example, the Centre for Cultural and Scientific Activities of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (the Temple of Literature) put into operation special experience area to learn more about heritage ; the Thang Long Imperial Citadel launched a new tourism product with a night experience programme called "Decoding the Thang Long Imperial Citadel"; and the pedestrian street in Hoan Kiem District expanded the working space. Thanks to that, the negative impacts of Covid-19 pandemic on tourism activities of units in Hanoi city have been minimised.
At the conference on tourism development implementation, the representatives of destinations introduced new tourism products. Highlights are the products to visit, picnic, explore in Ba Vi National Park. Ba Vi National Park Management Board has just put into operation a product of adventure tourism through the forest (with positioning for participants). This product attracts quite a few visitors to experience. There are also other ecotourism and culinary products. The Management Board of Hoa Lo Prison Relic put a new night tourism product into operation. These products will help travel agencies and tourists have more options in organising trips to Hanoi.
In 2021, it is expected that the Hanoi tourism industry will organise events such as: Ao Dai festivals, craft village festivals, tourism stimulus programmes and service chains suitable to tastes, markets, and each target group of tourists.
