VietNamNet Bridge - Tourism is emerging as one of the most promising business fields, but its development has been hindered by many inadequacies. Tourism has been chosen to be developed as a key industry In the WEF (World Economic Forum) report on 2017 tourism competitiveness index, Vietnam ranks 34th out of 136 countries in terms of tourism natural resources, 30th in cultural resources and 37th in human resources. The tourism revenue in 2016 increased by 26 times if compared with 2000. The tourism industry generated 2.8 million jobs (2015), accounting for 5.2 percent of total labor force. Nevertheless, according to Nam, with 10 million foreign travelers, Vietnam is still lagging far behind other regional countries. 32.6 million foreign travelers came to Thailand in 2016, 26.8 million to Malaysia and 16.4 million to Singapore. RELATED NEWS Lack of cruise ports hinders tourism in HCM City Fund to boost Vietnam tourism development Thanh Lich … [Read more...] about The ‘bottlenecks’ in Vietnam’s tourism
Travel and tourism competitiveness index
Quang Ninh to make tourism key economic sector: director
VietNamNet Bridge – The National Authority of Tourism has chosen 2018 as a Tourism Year themed Ha Long – Quang Ninh with Ha Long Bay as a heritage, wonder of the world and a friendly destination. Le Huong of Viet Nam News talks to Pham Ngoc Thuy, director of Quang Ninh Tourism Department on the local tourism achievements and preparation for the tourism year. Quang Ninh Province possesses great potential in tourism, with stunning destinations like the world heritage site Ha Long Bay. VNA/VNS Photo Could you detail Quang Ninh’s achievements in tourism and some problems in the field? Last year, the local tourism sector gained encouraging results. The total number of tourist arrivals reached some 9.87 million, an 18 per cent increase from the previous year. Among them, foreign tourists numbered 4.28 million, a 23 per cent increase from the previous year. Total income from tourism was nearly VND17.9 trillion (US$784.2 million), a 30 per cent increase from the … [Read more...] about Quang Ninh to make tourism key economic sector: director
Late visa policy announcement challenges tourism
The visa exemption policy for citizens of five European countries will expire in the next three months. Whether and when it might be renewed are still open questions, creating a headache for tourists and Vietnamese businesses that serve them. The visa exemption policy for citizens of five European countries will expire in the next three months. Whether and when it might be renewed are still open questions, creating a headache for tourists and Vietnamese businesses that serve them. - Photo dantri.com.vn To address the dramatic decrease of international tourists to Viet Nam in 2015, the Government granted citizens of the United Kingdom, Republic of France, Federal Republic of Germany, Kingdom of Spain and Republic of Italy a visa exemption for stays of less than 15 days, regardless of passport type and travel purpose from July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016. After one year of piloting the visa exemption, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc decided to renew the policy for one year, till … [Read more...] about Late visa policy announcement challenges tourism
VN jumps five steps in tourism competitiveness
Viet Nam ranked 75th among 141 nations in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI). In comparison with the rankings in 2013, Viet Nam jumped five steps. Earlier, in 2009 and 2011 the country secured the 89th and 80th places. Regarding prices, the country's tourism stood at 22ndamong 141 nations. Meanwhile, in term of sustainable development, it was ranked 132nd. The TTCI is measured by four different index groups of Legislative Factor, Infrastructure and Human Resources, Culture and Natural Resources. The TTCI aims to evaluate factors and policies to encourage the development of tourism and travel to contribute to the development and competitiveness of each nation. … [Read more...] about VN jumps five steps in tourism competitiveness
Vietnam jumps five grades in tourism competitive edge
Vietnam ranked the 75th out of 141 countries in the World Economic Forum (WEF)’s Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI), five grades higher than 2013. The WEF issues the TTCI report biennially basing on four factors: environment, policy, infrastructure, and natural and cultural resources. Top ten countries in the TTCI ranking 2015 are Spain, France, Germany, the US, the UK, Switzerland, Australia, Italy, Japan, and Canada. Singapore takes the lead in ASEAN and comes 11th in the TTIC ranking. Vietnam’s tourism environment (security, health care, sanitation) reaches 4.6 out of 7 points, policy (3.7 points), and natural and cultural resources (2.9 points). Infrastructure is evaluated at the lowest level among four criteria. Although the country has not made many breakthroughs, it has jumped in the TTCI ranking in recent years from 89th/140 countries in 2009 to 80th in 2011 and 2013. … [Read more...] about Vietnam jumps five grades in tourism competitive edge
Tourism engine accelerates speed
(VEN) - In 2017, Vietnam welcomed 13 million foreign visitors, up 28 percent from 2016, earning total tourism revenues of more than VND500 trillion. Tourism income accounted for about seven percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Trang An Landscape Complex in the northern province of Ninh Binh Strong growth The number of foreign visitors to Vietnam in 2016 and 2017 was almost 60 percent higher than 2015. Last year, Vietnam topped Asian countries and territories and ranked sixth in the world in terms of tourism growth. This pushed up Vietnam eight levels on the tourism competitiveness index. Vietnam has impressed foreign visitors with its picturesque landscapes, hospitable people and good food. “If Vietnam continues with its current rate of growth, it will catch up with Indonesia, and the country needs to accelerate its growth if it is to catch up with the top-three ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries of Singapore, Malaysia and … [Read more...] about Tourism engine accelerates speed
Tourism contributes significantly to Vietnamâs economy
Hanoi (VNA) â Tourism is a remarkable contributor to Vietnamâs economic growth. The sector has drawn about 10 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) and nearly 300 trillion VND (13.5 billion USD) in domestic investment. More than 6.1 trillion VND (274.5 million USD) has been sourced from the State budget since 2006 to develop tourism infrastructure. Popular destinations in Vietnam include Ha Long Bay in northern Quang Ninh province, Phu Quoc island in southern Kien Giang province, and Nha Trang in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa . The country is home to more than 1,500 international travel companies. As of May this year, Vietnam had 101 five-star hotels, 299 four-star and 463 three-star hotels. Vietnam has provided visa exemptions for tourists from 22 countries and territories. Between 2010 and 2015, the tourism sector recorded average growth of 9.5 percent. The industry grossed 15.4 billion USD in revenue, contributing 6.6 percent to the countryâs gross … [Read more...] about Tourism contributes significantly to Vietnamâs economy
Nhandan Newspaper – May 11 -17: President’s trip to Russia, the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan
1. President Sang’s Europe visit achieves set goals President Truong Tan Sang’s trip to Russia, the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan from May 8-15 achieved its set goal of improving political trust to form a basis for economic, trade and investment ties. The States, governments, legislatures and businesses of the above countries spoke highly of Vietnam’s potential and position in Southeast Asia, considering it as a friendly link with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The visits helped the all-around links between Vietnam and Russia, the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan earn progress and yield fruitful results. 2. Vietnam attends Global Summit of Women in Brazil Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan (R) receives the Global Women’s Leadership award (Photo: VNA) A Vietnamese delegation led by Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan attended the 25th Global Summit of Women, which opened in Sao Paulo, Brazil on May 14, under the theme ‘Creative Women, … [Read more...] about Nhandan Newspaper – May 11 -17: President’s trip to Russia, the Czech Republic and Azerbaijan
Poor hygiene makes Vietnam less attractive tourism destination: survey
Low quality, hygiene and sanitation are the biggest turn-offs for travelers in Vietnam, according to a recent survey conducted by the Hanoi-based Institute of Tourism Development Research. The survey polled 1,470 tourists, including locals and foreigners, to gauge the factors that influence the country’s tourism competitiveness. The survey showed that travelers are most likely to be turned off by tourism destinations and accommodation where hygiene and sanitation facilities are inadequate and of poor quality, said Nguyen Anh Tuan, the director of the research institute. Nguyen Thanh Binh, a senior official at the national administration of tourism, admitted that sanitation and hygiene are an important factor for many tourists when it comes to choosing their destination. She added that despite being equipped with modern amenities, many lodgings, including four-star hotels, have reported hygiene-related incidents. The number of foreign visitors to Vietnam is well on track to … [Read more...] about Poor hygiene makes Vietnam less attractive tourism destination: survey
Filthy toilets and robberies: Deputy PM names tourism nightmares in Vietnam
Official statistics indicate that 70 percent of foreign holidaymakers would not return to Vietnam and are gripped by seven bugbears, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue said Tuesday at a national tourism conference. Hue blamed robberies, thieves, unsafe roads, traffic congestion, service quality, filthy toilets and environmental pollution for holding back the tourism sector. “Vietnam’s tourism sector is highly likely to lag far behind its rivals,” Hue told the conference in Hoi An, a popular tourist attraction in central Vietnam. These tourism issues are by no means new to tourists, both foreign and local. But what is significant here is that a top government leader has pointed the finger at them at a national conference on tourism with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and local leaders in attendance. The conference took place at a time when Vietnam's government has assigned the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to develop a blueprint that earmarks tourism … [Read more...] about Filthy toilets and robberies: Deputy PM names tourism nightmares in Vietnam