The Covid-19 epidemic has changed everything in Hoi An city (Quang Nam province): The tourist market is "frozen"; hundreds of restaurants, hotels, businesses and the old town "closed"; tens of thousands of workers lost their jobs, etc. In that context, Hoi An always renews itself, preparing all conditions ready to welcome tourists back.
Shocked by the prolonged epidemic
After the Covid-19 epidemic, in July 2020, the Tourism Association coordinated with the Quang Nam Chefs Association and restaurants in Hoi An to organize the event "Culinary Festival". and An Bang Music in 2020” to stimulate tourism demand, open up new, attractive services, imbued with indigenous cultural identity. The event invited 20 famous chefs to participate, combining culinary quintessence with music on An Bang beach. Initially, the organizers expected about 1,000 visitors, but the actual number has exceeded 3,000.
“After Vietnam was able to stamp out the epidemic, the spirit returned, so I wanted to do a big event to attract visitors and develop local tourism. International visitors from all over the country come to An Bang is a good sign and the event will be held annually," said Mr. Le Ngoc Thuan - Chairman of Quang Nam Chef Association, owner of Deckhouse An Bang Beach.
Following the success of the first event, the business community continues to prepare for the second event with the expected arrival of about 10,000 visitors on the occasion of April 30, January 1. May 2021. However, the epidemic broke out again and again. “When the service came again, everything I had prepared had to be put aside. But that's the general situation because we have to do it to show the community that there is always an opportunity ahead," said Mr. Le Ngoc Thuan.
Due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the production and business situation in Hoi An has faced many difficulties, especially tourism and service activities. As of April 2021, the whole city has 86 production and business units that have stopped completely, of which there are 65 households and 21 organizations, units and enterprises. Along with that, 2,298 production and business units temporarily stopped operating due to difficulties, of which there were 2,183 households and 115 organizations, units and enterprises.
At the end of 2019, Hoi An city had more than 9,300 business entities, but up to now, there are only more than 6,500 business entities and most are also operating in moderation.
“For me, this epidemic is very shocking, not only me but all businesses in Hoi An, the whole country as well as the whole world are very shocked, I did not think it would last that long” – Mr. Nguyen Trong Tuan – Chairman of Quang Nam Travel Association - Director of Hoi An Travel One Member Co., Ltd., said.
Tireless efforts
However, Mr. Nguyen Trong Tuan added: "After 4 epidemics, we have to re-evaluate the market and come up with separate orientations for each market, accepting a time of up to 2 years, domestic customers are the main".
After the first epidemic was under control, Hoi An immediately adjusted the tour guide work at destinations in the context of still implementing epidemic prevention. In March and April 2021, with 2 lines of visitors who are official visitors at both ends of the country, accompanied by family and guests from neighboring provinces from Quang Ngai, Hue, Da Nang, etc. every weekend, Hoi ancient town An welcomed more than 1,000 visitors. Every day, more and more restaurants and shops reopen, and the night markets gradually come to life.
Sea and island tourism also prospered again when every day there were tourists visiting and staying at Cham Island. The tours to explore the sea and islands are renewed, focusing on protecting the environment and landscape, aiming to exploit domestic tourists and summer tourism. Although the number of visitors to visit and stay cannot be compared with previous years, this is a good sign. “I come here many times and every time I find it interesting because there is a fresh beach, good food and many new things” – Nguyen Thuy Linh, a tourist from Hanoi, said.
In the context that all international flights have been stopped, tourists returning to Hoi An are mainly domestic guests, the business community and foreign tourists staying and working. Eating in Cam An sea has joined hands to build a new tourism product called "Tan Thanh Fishing Village Fair".
A series of products to stimulate domestic tourists have also been built on the basis of traditional cultural values of Hoi An. The government and businesses together discuss and agree on a plan to organize cultural and art activities, tourism stimulus programs, and landscape decoration to "Wake up Hoi An" with many new and creative activities. , unique, suitable for the context. The old town space is renewed, creating more check-in points, decorating flowers, lanterns, organizing night street products, folk games, flower boat races, fashion shows, riverside markets, exhibitions. car shows, art shows, etc. Then there are fashion shows like Streetwear, Hoi An Show, etc.
Ms. Truong Thi Ngoc Cam – Director of the City Center for Culture, Sports and Information. Hoi An, said: “After each epidemic passes, we immediately start organizing tourism activities and events. It must be said that, in such a difficult time, with the spirit of Hoi An, all businesses have made great efforts including effort and money to build products."
Long-term plan
“In my opinion, in the immediate future, Hoi An needs to focus on implementing epidemic prevention measures in accordance with regulations, then there should be mechanisms and measures to attract tourists back with specific actions. For example, cultural exchange programs or the sincere closeness of Hoi An people will definitely attract more and more tourists to come back.” – Mr. Bui Anh Tuan, Thai Binh tourist to visit the old town Hoi An in April 2021, said.
The city government has held many seminars, listened to suggestions for solutions to restore local tourism in the context of the Covid-19 epidemic. It is noteworthy that local people and business communities across the country are united and join hands to overcome this difficult period.
Ms. Trinh Diem Quynh - Director of YALY Service - Tourism - Trade and Fashion Joint Stock Company, said: "Our plan is that in July 2022, we will coordinate with the city to reorganize a show. international fashion show”. And Mr. Le Ngoc Thuan - Chairman of Quang Nam Chef's Association, owner of Deckhouse An Bang Beach restaurant, said: "Do it again, continue to do it because you are still alive, you have to fight, but you can't quit. If you have strength, people, and possessions, try to do it!".
In order to enhance the ability to stimulate demand to attract tourists and help businesses open up for business, at the 23rd session, the IXth Quang Nam Provincial People's Council approved the Scheme on continuing to reduce entrance fees to some of the above attractions. city area. Hoi An and stipulate the level of support for tourism recovery and development due to the impact of the Covid-19 epidemic.
“The efforts of the city plus the active support of the superiors are a very important motivation for us to gradually and step by step persevere in recovering and developing Hoi An tourism industry again after the epidemic subsided. calm, finish. In the coming time, the City People's Committee will issue a tourism restructuring project for the 2021-2025 period, with a vision to 2030, and the City Party Committee will also approve a Resolution on tourism development in Hoi An city to 2025, vision to 2030” - Mr. Nguyen Van Son - Chairman of Hoi An City People's Committee, said.
Up to this point, Hoi An ancient town has not been able to reorganize sightseeing activities, the tourism industry is still facing numerous difficulties due to the Covid-19 epidemic. However, with the tireless efforts of the authorities, businesses and local people, Hoi An is always ready as soon as the epidemic is under control and will be completely new when tourists return.
