International tourists come back to Phu Quoc. (Photo: VNA)The ministry said onFebruary 9 that foreign arrivals visited the Mekong Delta province of KienGiang, and the central provinces of Khanh Hoa and Quang Nam, which have been selectedfor the programme together with central Da Nang city and northern Quang Ninh province.
Most of them camefrom Russia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the UK,the US and Canada.
As many as 16 travelfirms, 82 lodging facilities, 28 tourist sites, eight shopping centres and 48transportation companies in the five targeted localities have registered andbeen eligible to join the first phase of the programme.
The first phase hasbeen rolled out in line with COVID-19 prevention and control regulations, andreceived the warm response from holiday-makers, the ministry said.
The ministry,therefore, has proposed implementing the second phase of the programme fromnow to March 30, conducting COVID-19 tests for touristsat their accommodations, and expanding tourist destinations.
International tourism activities, including both inbound and outbound tours, should be fully resumed fromMarch 31, the ministry said.
It also proposed theGovernment direct the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of ForeignAffairs to work on unilateral visa exemption for countries and territories,which had been in place before the pandemic outbreak.
The ministrysuggested further negotiations with countries and territories for the recognitionof Vietnam’s vaccine passport, and the use of a single application for COVID-19prevention and control./.
VNA
