Domestic routes have been operating again, as well as passenger cars, trains, restaurants, retail ... welcoming guests since Vietnam ended the social gap period on April 23. The aviation industry gets ready for international flights. The tourism industry is also trying to find a "travel bubble" with China or South Korea. If successful, Vietnam will be one step ahead of Thailand, this neighboring country also considers China and Korea as two key markets.

Kenneth Atkinson, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Council (TAB), said the unit had proposed the government to open "early bilateral negotiations with infectious control markets in the community". .

"The first bilateral talks are with the markets we most need, such as China and South Korea. Next are Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan and Singapore - although the island nation has not made any progress yet. When new infections occur, they come from migrant workers, "said Atkinson.

Michael Piro, managing director of Indochina Capital, added that Chinese and Korean visitors account for 55% of international visitors to Vietnam. Of the 18 million international visitors to Vietnam in 2019, 5.8 million are from China and 4.3 million are South Koreans.

The tourism corridor to these two markets will open up business and leisure tourism, Mr. Piro added. Many manufacturing companies have moved their production lines to Vietnam. China and South Korea are major investors and also Vietnam's largest tourism market. When the "tourism bubbles" open, foreign investment will begin to return, bringing in tourism revenue. Last year, foreign direct investment into Vietnam increased by 7.2% to US $ 38 billion.

Domestic tourism

The prospects for recovery of domestic tourism start-up in Vietnam seem quite positive, like the time after the SARS epidemic in 2003. The hotel and Airbnb hotel reservations for the 30/4 and 1/5 holidays increases with areas near major cities, according to data obtained from Indochina Capital.

Piro, who owns a number of bars and restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City, said that when the stores opened recently, business was better than before the virus. "Although it is still early to assess it, it shows that the locals are very eager to get out of the house. The government is doing very well to arouse people's confidence, and when it sees that the situation is currently under control," he said. control, people want to hang out, "said Piro.

The Vietnamese government acts quickly to combat the pandemic. From February 29, passengers from affected areas must be isolated for 14 days. Vietnam also stopped visa exemption for Korean and European visitors before stopping to welcome international guests from March 12, including Vietnamese returning from abroad. Entertainment venues and tourist attractions must be closed, and a maximum social distance measure will be implemented from April 1. Vietnam also implements disease-spreading initiatives like a famous global pop song and hand-washing dance.

About 40% of Vietnam's population (more than 96 million people in total) is under 25 years old. Dynamic, healthy, technologically savvy, and risk-taking, young people also make a significant contribution to the 85 million domestic tours of 2019.

Atkinson judges that is a great number that is easily overlooked. Vietnam's growing domestic tourism market is driven by GDP per capita (11% since 2000), one of the fastest in the world. Another factor is that the government invests 5.7% of GDP in infrastructure such as roads. No other country in Southeast Asia spends as much on infrastructure as Vietnam.

Mr. Piro added that 60% of domestic tourism is road although air travel is also stimulated by the growth of low-cost airlines.

In an online seminar organized by Delivering Asia Communications, Piro said a MOCST campaign launched 30% cheaper tours, which are expected to boost the domestic market, which is always welcoming programs. endow.

Change roles

It takes Vietnam only 7 years to attract from 6 million to 15 million international visitors, while Thailand takes 15 years. As such, Vietnam is now in the position of a pioneer country - ahead of Thailand in attracting Chinese and South Korean tourists after Covid-19.

Economic experts say Thailand should be more alert. Even before Covid-19, the country had to make every effort to attract Chinese tourists back, after a fatal boat accident in Phuket. In addition, Vietnam could be a better place for travelers to change their habits after a pandemic.

"After being held for too long, people will look for more trips and experiences, as opposed to life in cities. With a coastline of more than 3,000 km and a diverse terrain, Vietnam also has caves, waterfalls, mountains, rice fields, beaches, Mekong River for tourists to explore within a week, "Mr. Piro said.

Comparing the race between Vietnam and its neighbor, Bill Barnett, managing director of C9 Hotelworks, said that Vietnam is easier to control post-pandemic virus because this is the region's final destination, instead of status of an international transshipment center like Thailand today.

However, a survey conducted by C9 Hotelworks and Delivering Asia Communications in April showed that Chinese tourists are more interested in visiting Thailand (71% of respondents) than Vietnam (45% ).

Besides, Mr. Atkinson has a realistic view that bubble talks may not end very well. "The 'travel bubble' models have their own challenges. While Shanghai still has infections in the community, how do we ensure that passengers on a Shanghai flight to Vietnam all from Shanghai? "he expressed. Concerns about the second wave of infection, such as new patients in China and South Korea, are another risk.

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