The outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 seized tourism activities globally, including in Vietnam. Tourism and aviation were the first industries to get beaten up harshly. The number of international visitor arrivals to Vietnam in 2020 decreased by 79.5% and the total tourism receipts downed by 58.7% - a decrease equivalent to about USD19 billion.

Confronting the above situations, Vietnam Tourism has taken some necessary actions so as to minimise the damage caused by the pandemic.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) proactively proposed to the Government and the Prime Minister to issue policies to support businesses and workers in the tourism industry, who are affected by the pandemic. At the same time, the MOCST issued guidelines for localities and businesses to adapt safely, flexibly and effectively control the pandemic in the field of tourism. 

In order to carry out the safe and effective opening of tourism, localities have been asked and guided to urgently prepare for the reopening of tourism, which focuses on ensuring safety, implementing tourism stimulation programmes, developing products, improving service quality, upholding promotion activities, supplementing human resources and strengthening inspection and examination.

Media campaign “Live fully in Vietnam’'  - held by the MOCST and the whole industry has been promoting Vietnam’s outstanding values of culture, heritage, landscapes as well as premium services of Vietnam tourism, offering visitors a full experience in Vietnam. Through the implementation, the campaign has received enormous support and great appreciation.

Travel service businesses are guided to strictly implement the registration and safe declaration of COVID-19 on the online system and encourage visitors to use and install the “Vietnam Safe Travel” app while travelling in Vietnam. Together with the attention from the Government, the close and effective coordination of ministries, branches, localities, the business community, the support of the whole society, with a proactive and creative manners, believing that Vietnam's tourism industry will open up successfully, creating momentum for a strong recovery, worthy of being a spearhead economic sector of the country.