Travel businesses are committed to enhancing the image of Vietnamese tourists.

The seminar was attended by travel and tourism companies and media outlets. Most opinions at the seminar agreed that preserving and enhancing the image of Vietnamese tourists is a matter for the whole society; however, the tourism industry needs to take the lead in this issue to restore the position of Vietnamese tourists.

At the seminar, Mr. Vu The Binh, Vice President of the Vietnam Tourism Association, stated that in 2016, the Vietnam Tourism Association launched the campaign "Improving the Image of Vietnamese Tourists" and offered advice on 10 exemplary behaviors when traveling domestically and internationally. This campaign received a positive response from tourism businesses, ministries, and localities nationwide.

Scene from the seminar. Photo: H. Quỳnh

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Furthermore, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism recently issued a Code of Conduct for Civilized Tourism. This signals the determination of the entire tourism industry as well as local authorities to improve and enhance the image of Vietnamese tourism, aiming for civilized, friendly, and attractive tourism.

Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Ngo Hoai Chung, affirmed: "Many opinions suggest that the code of conduct is complex and lengthy, but our view is that it must cover all stakeholders. Each stakeholder only needs to comply well with the regulations applicable to them to ensure good performance. While 2016 was the year of improving accommodation quality, 2017 is designated as the year of tourism, and we will vigorously implement this program to create real changes in improving tourism civility."

"The campaign should not only be launched in the short term but also be conducted long-term, regularly, and persistently to improve the cultural behavior of people in international integration. Businesses, especially large ones, must take the lead, prioritizing those who directly interact with tourists, such as tour guides and managers. State management agencies must play their role, considering the development of civilized tourism as a criterion for rewarding and disciplining businesses," Mr. Chung emphasized.

Travel businesses are committed to practical activities to enhance the image of Vietnamese tourists. Photo: H.Quynh

Several travel businesses have actively responded and committed to practical activities to enhance the image of Vietnamese tourists. Mr. Nguyen Cong Hoan, Deputy Director of HanoiRedtours, believes that the code of conduct needs to be concretized into a common communication message, symbolized into signs that all tourists understand regarding dress code, not littering, queuing, etc. Simultaneously, there needs to be a mechanism for penalties and monitoring, starting with those in the tourism industry. Tourism associations or the Journalists' Club should have forums for businesses to promptly report issues. Travel companies should have mechanisms for monitoring and providing constructive feedback.

At the VITM 2017 trade fair, Mr. Nguyen Tien Dat, Deputy Director of TransViet Travel Company, stated: "As the initiator and pioneer of the 'Civilized Tourism - Enhancing the Image of Vietnamese Tourists' program, we are delighted to see that the movement has been widely promoted and disseminated by the Vietnam Tourism Association and the Tourism Journalists Club, creating a positive initial shift in the approach towards tourists. However, we need to be more persistent, consistent, and vigorous with the participation of many tourism agencies, organizations, and tourists."