
Hanoi – The Ministry of Culture, Sports and
Tourism has proposed China resume outbound travel tours to Vietnam to
improve and recover tourism between the two countries.
The ministry confirmed on February 16 that it had sent
a diplomatic note to China on February 9 proposing travel agencies be
allowed to organise outbound tours to Vietnam.
According to the diplomatic note, tourism cooperation is a
highlight in the bilateral collaboration between the two countries.
Chinese tourists made up the majority of foreign tourists
entering Vietnam before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, and many
Vietnamese tourists also travelled north.
According to the General Statistics Office, 5.8 million visitors
in 2019 to Vietnam were Chinese, accounting for 30% of international tourists.
After China scaled back its “zero-COVID” policy, many cooperation
activities between the two countries gradually resumed.
China started allowing its travel agencies to organise outbound
tours to 20 selected countries on February 6. While this list does not include Vietnam,
other Southeast Asian nations like Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore are
included.
Many tourism businesses in Vietnam have expressed disappointment
after three years of waiting, as China is one of the largest tourism markets.
Resuming tours to Vietnam will create favourable conditions
for both countries to resume and develop tourism.
The ministry also discussed tourism cooperation with the Chinese
ambassador to Vietnam, including resuming travel tours.
The ambassador shared that China highly
values friendship between the two countries. The embassy has prepared to
welcome Chinese tourists back to Vietnam.
The International Cooperation Department is also actively working
with China to put Vietnam on the list of countries piloting group tourism since
this country reopened the border on January 8.
The Department also expressed the expectation to travel of
visitors and the tourism agencies.
Ngo Lan Phuong, head of Kim Lien Travel, told Vietnam News Agency that they are ready
to welcome back Chinese visitors.
Phuong said even if the numbers don’t reach the same heights
as in 2019, just half the number of Chinese tourists would be good for the
travel agencies./.