Many destinations propose welcoming international tourists

A new beginning for Christmas & New year

Ho Chi Minh City, a major tourist hub that used to attract millions of international tourists each year, is not yet eligible for welcoming tourists from other countries or territories. The city’s People’s Committee said that the local tourism industry is in a dire state with the number of international visitors this year dropping to almost zero, while the number in 2020 was also down nearly 85 per cent compared to 2019.

As a result, city authorities have recently submitted a proposal to the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism seeking permission to receive international tourists with vaccine passports from this month, and expand the scope to accommodate visitors without concentrated quarantine requirement in 2022.

The city proposes a roadmap to resume international tourism activities in three stages. As soon as possible, qualified international travel agencies would be allowed to welcome international guests to Ho Chi Minh City under package travel programmes and through both charter flights and regular international flights.

From January, if all goes well, foreign travellers would be allowed to take tours from the city to other localities that have been approved to welcome international tourists, such as Phu Quoc island, Danang, and Khanh Hoa. It would be then hoped that by April, Ho Chi Minh City can fully reopen to all international visitors.

Foreign travellers to Ho Chi Minh City would have to present full COVID-19 vaccination certificates and have proof of a negative test for the coronavirus within 72 hours prior to departure. They would also be required to have travel insurance that covers COVID-19 with a minimum liability of $50,000.

Meanwhile, travel agencies and service providers must develop a plan to welcome guests, conduct daily risk assessments, create related QR codes, arrange isolation areas, and comply with safety standards on COVID-19 prevention required by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) and the Department of Tourism.

Together with Ho Chi Minh City, other destinations including Binh Thuan, Binh Dinh, and Phu Yen are also planning to welcome international visitors as the world tries to get through the disruptions.

The Binh Thuan Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that the locality has welcomed domestic tourists since October and so far, tourism and service establishments in the province have all met the safety standards on COVID-19 prevention and control.

“The reopening to welcome international visitors is in line with the pandemic adaption and socioeconomic development roadmap of the province,” said a representative of Binh Thuan Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

According to Nguyen Van Khoa, chairman of the Binh Thuan Tourism Association, the province now has a high vaccination coverage rate. In Phan Thiet, over 85 per cent of people are fully vaccinated and it is expected that everyone will be covered by the end of the year. Nearly all staff in tourism facilities have been fully vaccinated. “Currently, we are coordinating with the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to develop a plan for the People’s Committee to submit to the VNAT to reopen Mui Ne to international visitors.,” Khoa said.

Elsewhere, Lam Hai Giang, vice chairman of Binh Dinh People’s Committee, revealed that the province will become the sixth destination allowed to welcome tourists in January.

On average, Binh Dinh previously welcomed around 200,000 international visitors every year. “We are continuing to research and focus on the East Asian, Southeast Asian, and US markets,” explained Tran Van Thanh, director of Binh Dinh’s Department of Tourism.

Christmas Fever

As Christmas and New Year are coming closer, many high-class resorts, hotels, and entertainment venues have begun to introduce attractive programmes for the Christmas season and New Year 2022 to bring customers the most perfect holiday.

An Lam retreats saigon river is back

The return of An Lam Retreats Saigon River from December 3 defines a new meaning of a luxury lifestyle resort in nature. The concept is centered around two key elements – nature and lifestyle luxury, integrated to complement each other to bring out-of-the-ordinary experiences. The retreat enchants its guests with an impressive festive celebration by the river, focusing on feeling whole in a sanctuary of scenic luxury by booking your stay and enjoying a special opening rate from only $130/night for two persons.

Golden Sand Christmas at Angsana Lang Co

Angsana Lang Co invites guests to trade white snow for golden sand and celebrate the season in a safe sanctuary perched over the pristine Canh Duong Beach. The Golden Sand Christmas at Angsana Lang Co package starts from $89 per person/night. Book a stay for a minimum of two people and enjoy a one-night stay at Garden Balcony Grand including breakfast, Christmas Day Gala Dinner for two, breakfast, and Gala Dinner for children below 6, as well as complimentary Christmas activities and more.

Japanese Unshu tangerine available at aeon mall

The first tonne of Japan’s fresh Unshu tangerines arrived in Vietnam and was sold at the AEON department store and supermarket system nationwide on December 1. AEON is the first retail system in Vietnam to introduce the imported tangerines. The seedless tangarine received attention and love from customers in the first days of opening for sale. After Unshu tangerines, AEON Vietnam will continue to promote connection activities to introduce more products to meet the needs and consumption trends of Vietnamese customers in the coming time.

Golden beef at Dolce Hanoi Golden Lake

Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake has opened its Golden Beef restaurant. This is the first of this type in Hanoi that hopes to live up to guest’s high expectations. The restaurant invites you to discover an interesting culinary story about premium golden beef in a sophisticated space where each dish is a work of art. The hotel’s exterior is well-known for its fully 24k gold-plated decoration. Its 342 appointed guestrooms pursue a contemporary classic design with private services and imperial golden facilities.

Welcome to Regent Phu Quoc 2022

Opening its doors in spring 2022, Regent Phu Quoc is an ultra-luxury suite and villa resort set in an unrivalled private beachfront location at Long Beach on Phu Quoc. The resort promises to bring a new level of service, comfort, and experience to this idyllic island. Exceptional design and state-of-the-art technology will be delivered alongside the brand’s legendary hospitality for a seamless guest journey. Each of the 176 suites and 126 villas have been elegantly designed to create sanctuary-like spaces, with calming interiors and perfect vistas.