Strengthening state management and improving economic efficiency in welcoming international tourists to Vietnam

Document sent to the Ministries: Public Security; Culture, Sports and Tourism; Finance; Home Affairs, Industry and Trade; State Bank of Vietnam; People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities.

Accordingly, considering the proposal and recommendation of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in Report No. 273/BC-BVHTTDL dated July 10, 2025 on strengthening state management and improving economic efficiency in welcoming international visitors to Vietnam; Official Dispatch No. 34/CD-TTg dated April 10, 2025 of the Prime Minister on promoting tourism development, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh has the following comments:

Acknowledging and appreciating the proactive spirit, responsibility and coordinating role of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in researching and proposing synchronous and feasible solutions to attract international tourists in the past time. In the coming time, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government agencies and People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities are required to urgently review, thoroughly grasp and continue to resolutely, synchronously and effectively implement assigned tasks, especially in Official Dispatch No. 34/CD-TTg dated April 10, 2025 of the Prime Minister, focusing on breakthrough solutions in promotion, diversification of high-quality products, accelerating digital transformation and green transformation, creating favorable conditions for tourists to access destinations; At the same time, strengthen destination management, control service quality, strictly handle violations to create a safe, civilized, and friendly tourism environment; report implementation results according to regulations.

To contribute to strengthening state management and improving economic efficiency in welcoming international visitors to Vietnam, relevant ministries, agencies and localities are required to focus on directing and effectively implementing the following tasks:

Vietnam tourism takes advantage of internal strength, expands market

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism continues to proactively research and forecast new tourism trends in the world, especially breakthrough policies of competing countries, on that basis, promptly advise the Government and the Prime Minister on strategic solutions to effectively promote domestic and international tourism potential, contributing to the sustainable development of Vietnam's tourism industry; strengthen the direction of state management of tourism; step up inspection of travel business activities, tour guides, accommodation, management of tourist areas and destinations, promptly handle violations (if any), ensure a healthy, safe and effective tourism business environment; synchronously deploy solutions to attract international tourists; continue to innovate and improve the effectiveness of tourism promotion, enhance competitiveness and attract international visitors to Vietnam.

The Ministry of Public Security shall preside over and direct the immigration management agency and the local police to coordinate with the tourism management agency to strengthen the management of exit, entry and residence of tourists and foreign workers in the tourism sector in Vietnam. At the same time, direct the police of provinces and cities to coordinate with local authorities at all levels to step up inspection and supervision of registration, temporary residence declaration and management of foreigners in the area; closely coordinate with the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance to study and amend and simplify exit and entry procedures at border gates, reduce costs, and create favorable conditions to attract international tourists, especially in border areas; coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the People's Committees of provinces and cities to strengthen inspection and supervision of the use of foreign workers in the tourism sector, promptly detect and handle organizations and individuals who take advantage of tourism activities to bring foreigners to work illegally.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade directs the Market Management force to strengthen inspection and supervision of sales points serving tourists, promptly detect and strictly handle violations in goods trading activities at tourist areas and destinations, ensuring a healthy tourism environment, fair competition and protecting tourists' rights.

The Ministry of Home Affairs directs and guides the People's Committees of provinces and cities to strengthen inspection and supervision of the management of foreign workers in the tourism sector; strictly handle cases of foreigners working without permission, illegally or operating for purposes other than those of entry.

The Ministry of Finance shall preside over and organize the implementation of a specialized program on monitoring and combating tax losses in the tourism sector; strengthen the direction of local tax authorities, promote the review, inspection and examination of travel agencies, shopping centers and shops serving tourists; proactively coordinate with competent authorities to promote the dissemination of tax laws, guide the registration of tax refund businesses, ensure that the issuance of invoices and VAT refunds for foreigners are carried out seriously and in accordance with regulations; focus on researching and reforming VAT refund procedures for foreign tourists, applying modern technology to create favorable conditions, ensuring that the tax refund process for international tourists is quick, convenient and transparent.

The State Bank of Vietnam urgently completes the legal framework, directs the development of modern, safe, and reasonably priced electronic payment services for international tourists; strengthens management and supervision of payment acceptance points, and prevents fraud; and at the same time, promotes cross-border payment connections with key tourism markets.

The People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities focus on directing: (1) Strengthening the management of tourist destinations; regularly monitoring, grasping the situation and promptly handling issues arising in the reception of international tourists; (2) Improving the quality of the tourism environment in the area, especially in key tourist areas. Strengthening propaganda and education on tourism civilization in the community; ensuring security, order, social safety, environmental sanitation and food safety at tourist attractions; directing functional forces to strengthen inspection and examination of tourism service quality and tourism business conditions in the area; promptly detecting and strictly handling all violations of the law in the tourism sector (such as price gouging, defrauding tourists, commercial fraud, "underground" tour guide activities, etc.); (3) Develop and improve channels for receiving feedback from tourists (hotlines, tourist support centers, smart tourism applications, etc.) to promptly receive and resolve feedback and recommendations from tourists; support management work and ensure safety for tourists.

For issues arising beyond the local authority in the process of managing tourism activities, the People's Committees of provinces and centrally run cities shall promptly synthesize and report to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for guidance, handling, resolution or submit to competent authorities for consideration according to regulations.

Propose that the Vietnam Tourism Association and local tourism associations strengthen connections with members, organize professional training courses, raise awareness of law and professional ethics for tourism human resources and tour guides. Proactively coordinate with localities and businesses to implement tourism stimulus programs, ensure not to chase after price reductions that affect service quality; actively support improving product quality, diversifying tourism services, contributing to improving the competitiveness of Vietnam tourism compared to other countries in the region.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/tang-cuong-cong-toc-quan-ly-nha-nuoc-nang-cao-hieu-qua-kinh-te-doi-voi-hoat-dong-don-khach-du-lich-quoc-te-vao-viet-nam-20250721111003733.htm