Vietnam to boost domestic tourism
Playing host to plenty of well-preserved natural landscapes and a vibrant food scene, Vietnam is recognized as one of the most popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia.
However, the country’s tourism industry has taken a huge blow due to the inevitable impact of COVID-19 and the shutdown of borders. Therefore, the Vietnam government has been trying to get the tourism industry back up by encouraging more Vietnamese and local residents to travel within the country.
Quảng Nam Province, home to Vietnam’s national heritage sites such as Hội An ancient town and Mỹ Sơn holy site, is also increasing its efforts to boost tourism by introducing discount programs for local tourists.
Quảng Nam Province
Besides its plethora of tourist attractions and distinctive food culture, Quảng Nam Province’s most attractions, the Mỹ Sơn holy site and Cù Lao Chàm Island, are also recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and World Natural Reserve respectively.
Hội An ancient town
Image credit: @xscapeartistry
Hội An ancient town, also situated in the province, topped Travel + Leisure World’s Best Cities List in 2019 and has long been the country’s most visited tourist destination. Here, you’ll find small and serene lanes with ancient architecture, colorful lanterns lighting up the streets by night, and unique local food.
Free travel services for COVID-19 frontliners
To give the tourism industry a boost, the Quảng Nam Tourism Committee will launch 2 stimulus programs – one for COVID-19 frontliners and another for local tourists and expats.
Mỹ Sơn holy site
Image credit: @ryotaro410
The Thank You Program lets COVID-19 frontliners have free hotel stays, meals, and tickets to local attractions, such as Hội An ancient town, Mỹ Sơn holy site, and Cù Lao Chàm Island – all by getting local service providers to give some 300 vouchers to these frontline workers. The program will run from 1st June to 30th September 2020.
Promotions and discounts for local tourists
Local tourists can benefit from the Domestic Travel Stimulus Program, which lets them tour Quảng Nam Province and explore the food scene here with discounts from local service providers who are participating in the programs.
Cù Lao Chàm island
Image credit: @calvinthaipham
Unlike the free program for frontliners, this does not have an expiry date. Service providers in Quảng Nam Province who wish to participate in the programs can register here.
Quảng Nam Province to promote agritourism
Two tourists in Trà Quế Vegetable Village
Image credit: Báo Quảng Nam
Quảng Nam Province is also looking to develop agricultural tourism in its potential tourist attractions, such as Trà Quế Vegetable Village, Cẩm Kim, and Triêm Tây, according to Báo Quảng Nam. This will help tourists better understand local customs, as well as preserve the area’s natural resources and landscape.
By introducing this initiative, the city’s tourism committee also hopes to breathe new life into the tourism activities here and offer tourists more entertainment options, such as physical therapy and massage services using vegetables.
A tourist watering vegetables in Trà Quế Vegetable Village
Image credit: Báo Quảng Nam
Vietnam is restarting its domestic tourism industry
Vietnam is known throughout the world for its stunning landscapes and diverse cultures. However, not every Vietnamese has been to every corner of the country and enjoyed the different experiences that each region provides.
Summer is here and Vietnam is one of the very few countries in the world where public life has resumed and tourism is actively encouraged. If you’ve been itching to travel since the COVID-19 lockdowns, you can now enjoy an exhilarating summer vacation by travelling to other parts of the country to engage in exciting activities while the tourist promotions are still in effect.
Also check out:
- World’s longest cable car to open in Vietnam
- Da Nang to spend VND14 billion to help its policemen learn foreign languages
- Saigon events in May and June 2020
Cover image credit: @re.levart
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