Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam highlights the need to boost domestic tourism (Photo: VGP)

Vietnam has more than 40,000 businesses and about 4.5 million people working in the tourism industry, one of the sectors hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, adding that many small tourism enterprises have been put under great pressure by the outbreak, so the government must find ways to revitalize them.

Mr. Dam said: “Though small firms like community-based tourism and homestay service providers are not large contributors to the State budget, they have played a crucial part in reducing poverty and improving living standards in remote and disadvantaged areas. We need to study solutions and seek Government approval to put them back on track as soon as possible.”

The Deputy Prime Minister called on ministries, agencies, and local administrations to slash fees for hospitality firms to help them recover. Schedule for this year’s public holidays and school summer breaks need to be rearranged. Vietnam will open its door to foreign travelers only when safety is assured, he said.