HCMC – Authorities, travel companies and tourism service providers in Quang Ninh Province are preparing to welcome back group tours from China, as the northern neighbor has allowed the organization of group tours to Vietnam from March 15.

China’s move to reopen outbound group tours is seen as a positive signal for both Vietnamese and Chinese tourism businesses, said Nguyen Van Son, general director of Thang Loi Travel JSC.

The company and its Chinese partners have jointly shared information about the requirements and policies of the two countries related to visas, pandemic control, entry and exit via land border gates and operation of direct flights to design suitable tours and improve their service quality.

This travel firm and its Chinese partners teamed up to launch new travel products at reasonable prices.

According to Pham Ngoc Thuy, director of the provincial Tourism Department, the province held meetings with the relevant departments and agencies to prepare plans to welcome back tourists.

The northern border province pledged favorable conditions for international visitors undergoing Covid-19 tests to meet China’s anti-Covid requirements.

The provincial People’s Committee planned to launch 24 new travel products this year in five localities, Halong and Mong Cai cities, Van Don, Co To and Hai Ha districts, to woo more tourists.

Visitors to Halong City can stroll along a pedestrian street and enjoy the nightlife in the UNESCO-listed Halong Bay.

Van Don District offers sightseeing tours to Bai Tu Long Bay, while Mong Cai City has formulated plans to serve international tourists through the Mong Cai international border gate.

Vietnam’s tourism authorities will coordinate with their Chinese counterparts and tourism associations of the two nations to seek measures to enhance tourism quality and promote Quang Ninh tourism to international visitors, said the director of the provincial tourism authority.

Quang Ninh looks to welcome some 15 million tourists in 2023, with two million international visitors, and earn VND27 trillion in tourism revenue.