Tourism authorities of Vietnam’s central city of Da Nang are devising plans to welcome travelers after months of implementing strict restrictions against COVID-19 spread, with a vision to bring back foreign tourists in the future.

The local administration on Thursday agreed to open their doors to domestic tourists and is seeking principal approval from the central government to bring back international travelers, the municipal Department of Tourism stated on Thursday.

More specifically, city officials outlined a three-phase plan to relaunch local tourism services.

The first stage, lasting till the end of October, will target Da Nang residents and public officials on duty in the city.

The second phase, which starts in November, envisions a ‘travel bubble’ model, where tourists from several provinces and cities deemed safe will be allowed to visit Da Nang and vice versa.

It is expected that the success of the model will decide the launch of the third phase, where tourism services will be operated in a ‘new normal’ state.

Speaking on plans to reactivate services for foreign visitors, the Department of Tourism revealed that they are mulling a two-step rollout.

The first one is projected to start in November, offering tour packages and mandating seven-day quarantine for entrants on business trips, official duties, or family visits in Vietnam.

Subsequently, a second phase will be launched when the government approves the resumption of more commercial international flights.

During this phase, Da Nang will target lucrative markets like Korea and Russia, as well as areas that have achieved considerable control over the epidemic, namely Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Hong Kong, the United States, China, Australia, the Middle East, and Europe.

According to the tourism body, the resumption of tourism will be adjusted based on the real safety levels.

Once the epidemic prevention measures are heightened, the city will give tourism firms and visitors a notice 72 hours prior to the rollout.

The demand for Da Nang tourism is high among foreign markets, most notably Russia and Korea, Truong Thi Hong Hanh, director of the Da Nang City Department of Tourism, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

After upholding the stringent social distancing measures since August, Da Nang City has decided to resume most businesses, except beauty and recreational activities, from Saturday, following two weeks without new community coronavirus infections.

It is also one of the localities with the highest vaccination rates in the country, and is targeting to administer the first COVID-19 vaccine doses to all residents aged 18 and older by October 25, according to the Vietnam Government Portal.

A leading tourist destination and a coronavirus epicenter last year, Da Nang has reported a total of 5,434 cases since the epidemic emerged in Vietnam in early 2020.

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