HCMC – Post-Covid-19, safety plays a key role in attracting tourists to Vietnam, with 57% of respondents in a recent survey conducted by the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) stating that security and safety during tours and at tourist attractions are major factors that affect their decision to travel.
Some 80% said they want to travel with their family or friends instead of in large groups, while 52% said they are prepared to buy travel insurance.
The survey also indicated that 33% of Vietnamese travelers considered financial capacity as the decisive factor and 47% said they prefer short tours which last two or three days.
Some 50% said they want to travel during the last months of the year, four percentage points lower than the previous survey in May.
Hoang Nhan Chinh, head of the Secretariat at TAB, said travel companies and tour operators should strictly comply with safety measures and promote attractions that are safe.
Nearly 87% of local tourists said they prefer discounts on prices over complimentary services or vouchers. “Travel companies should collaborate with airlines to offer cheaper packages,” Chinh suggested.
In recent days, many cities and provinces have collaborated to promote safe tourism. Seven localities—HCMC and the provinces of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Tay Ninh, Dong Nai and Binh Duong—signed an agreement to jointly implement the “Seven localities-safe and attractive tourism” stimulus program.
They are developing a safe tourism map that enables tourists to easily find attractions, products and services that are safe.
Vo Thi Ngoc Thuy, deputy director of the HCMC Department of Tourism, said travel companies have become more aware over strictly complying with Covid-19 infection prevention and control measures although some restrictions have been relaxed.
Chinh said these positive signs showed that travel companies have changed the way they operate to adapt to the situation. However, the local governments should create channels to receive complaints related to safety from tourists to promptly deal with violations.
By Dao Loan
