On June 11, the Politburo made a conclusion on a number of key tasks. strengthen the prevention and control of the Covid-19 epidemic and socio-economic development, in which, in the field of tourism, the Politburo directs "Research for piloting the use of vaccine passports with international visitors". to some tourist centers that can control the epidemic, such as Phu Quoc, Kien Giang".
Landscape of Phu Quoc island (Photo: Internet)
It can be said that this is good news for the tourism industry after a long time from April 2020 until now, Vietnam has temporarily stopped welcoming international visitors to prevent epidemics. At the same time, it also sets high requirements on ensuring safe reception of guests according to epidemic prevention regulations. The pilot reopening of international tourism will be a premise to gradually restore tourism activities, contributing to realizing the dual goals of disease prevention and socio-economic development in accordance with the guidelines of the Party and State. country.
Following the direction of the Politburo, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism is coordinating with relevant units to urgently develop a pilot plan to welcome international visitors via vaccine passports to Phu Quoc (Kien Giang). Leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism submit to the Prime Minister.
In order to ensure readiness for the opening to welcome international visitors when conditions permit, right from the end of 2020, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has actively researched, developed plans, and worked with agencies relate to. Most recently, on March 24, 2021, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism had a meeting with representatives of a number of ministries and sectors to discuss the proposal of a pilot plan to welcome international visitors into Vietnam. This is a task assigned by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to implement the Prime Minister's direction on the proposal to open the door to international tourists in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic.
The opening to welcome international guests is an important issue, in which the highest priority should be given to ensuring safety against epidemics; It is necessary to pilot step by step on the passenger market, flight form, selection of suitable destinations, products, and service enterprises that are capable and meet the requirements of epidemic prevention and control. At the same time, there should be a clear and scientific division of responsibilities among relevant agencies and ministries.
In addition, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has actively coordinated with relevant units to research solutions to apply technology in welcoming international tourists to ensure the epidemic prevention and control process. Recently, a technology platform has been formed that is the vaccine digital certification system (https://travelpass.tourism.vn/) to serve tourists when international tourism is reopened.
Around the world, many countries are widely deploying vaccination against epidemics to move towards herd immunity, some places have applied digital health certificates to facilitate travel in the region. , gradually reopening tourism and trade activities, creating a driving force for socio-economic development.
On June 14, the Presidents of the European Parliament, the European Council and the European Commission officially signed the Regulation on the application of Covid-19 Digital Certificates, creating favorable conditions for travel in Europe. This regulation is effective from July 1, 2021 to June 31, 2022. In the region, Thailand will open its doors to international tourists who have been vaccinated to Phuket from July 1 under the "Phuket Sandbox" model. Accordingly, visitors to Phuket still have to stay here for at least 14 days before they can continue their journey to other destinations in Thailand.
Domestically, Vietnam is promoting the Covid-19 vaccination campaign, in the immediate future, prioritizing the frontline forces to fight the epidemic and proceeding to deploy it on a large scale to create community immunity.
