The Games is taking place in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring cities and provinces. (Photo: VNA) Ha Van Sieu, deputy head of the Vietnam NationalTourism Administration (VNTA), said the regional sport event offers a golden opportunityfor Vietnam to promote its tourism.
The Games is taking place in Hanoi and 11neighbouring cities and provinces, from May 12-23 with the participation of nearly 5,000athletes from 11 countries in the region. This is the second time Vietnam hashosted SEA Games, the first in 2003.
Two years after the 2003 SEA Games, the number ofinternational tourists to Vietnam rose sharply, from 10-20 percent annually,Sieu said.
Prior to the ongoing SEA Games 31, scheduled to last until May23, Vietnam started to fully reopen its borders on March 15, with a host ofincentives towards both domestic and international visitors.
On the occasion of the Games, the VNTA has launcheda special website at that gives an overviewon Vietnam’s tourism as well as necessary information regarding visa, exit-entry and medical procedures to foreign visitors.
The website also spotlights tourism in Hanoi and the11 localities that host the Games - Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Nam Dinh,Ha Nam, Ninh Binh, Hoa Binh, Hai Duong, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang and Phu Tho.
Notably, “Let’s shine and live fully”, a welcome videoclip for SEA Games 31, is also available on the website, featuring Vietnam’smost famous destinations like Phu Quoc island in the southern province of KienGiang, Nha Trang resort city in the central province of Khanh Hoa, UNESCO-recognisedHa Long Bay in northern Quang Ninh province, and Son Doong - the world'slargest cave - in the central province of Quang Binh, among others.
The administration has also utilised social networkslike Facebook, Zalo, YouTube, and Instagram in the communication work.
The host cities and provinces have stepped uptourism promotion with suitable measures.
Nam Dinh province that is hosting games in Group Bof the men’s football has launched a cuisine space introducing special dishes fromdifferent localities prepared by prestigious artisans.
At the Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho province, whereGroup A matches of men’s football are taking place, there are booths showcasinglocal products that meet One Commune-One Product (OCOP) standards and providinginformation on local tourism.
Hanoi capital city – the main venue of the SEA Games31 – expects to welcome 1 million domestic visitors and 200,000 foreigners onthis occasion.
The municipal Department of Tourism has focused onpromoting such sites as the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam(Temple of Literature Complex), the Hoa Lo Prison, the Bat Trang ancientpottery village, the Ba Vi National Park, and the Duong Lam ancient village, amongothers.
Fourteen four- and five-star hotels in the city areoffering services to foreign sport delegations, audiences and journalists.
SEA Games 31, themed “For a Stronger South EastAsia”, features 40 sports with 523 events, it is expectedto attract around 10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slatedfor late 2021 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic./.
VNA
