Decision No. 45-CP on Reforming Management and Developing the Tourism Industry

RESOLUTION

On Reforming Management and Developing the Tourism Industry

At the meeting on April 21, 1993, the Government adopted resolutions on policies and measures to reform management and develop the tourism industry in the coming period, in accordance with the economic and social development goals set forth by the Seventh National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam.

I. Tourism is an important sector in the national economic and social development strategy

Tourism is an integrated economic sector that plays a positive role in implementing the policy of opening up, promoting innovation and development in many other economic sectors, creating employment opportunities, expanding cultural and social exchanges between regions within the country and between Vietnam and foreign countries, fostering friendly relations, peace, and mutual understanding among nations.

Vietnam possesses significant potential in various aspects for developing tourism, including abundant natural conditions, numerous famous scenic spots, a long-standing cultural tradition with many beautiful and unique festivals, customs, historical sites, religious and artistic architectural landmarks rich in humanistic characteristics, a plentiful supply of intelligent, diligent, and compassionate labor.

In recent years, the tourism industry has undergone reforms, gradually developed material and technical infrastructure, initially attracting foreign tourists and overseas Vietnamese to visit the homeland, introducing the country, people, and the finest aspects of the Vietnamese nation to international friends; partially meeting domestic needs for sightseeing, rest, and entertainment, and achieving certain economic results.

However, due to insufficient recognition of the position, nature, and multifaceted economic, political, and social impacts of tourism activities, state management has been lax. Notably, we have not yet formulated a comprehensive strategy and overall planning for tourism development nationwide and regionally, nor have there been close coordination among levels and sectors in the tourism development effort; specific tasks and responsibilities of each sector have not been clearly defined; tourism infrastructure remains weak, material resources and equipment in the tourism sector are lacking and outdated, many scenic spots and historical sites of value have not been restored, preserved, or exploited, tourism content is still limited, service quality is poor, the competence and capacity of tourism staff have not met requirements. Therefore, the socio-economic effectiveness of tourism activities in recent years has been low, not commensurate with tourism potential and the demands of national construction under new circumstances. At times and places, there have been negative impacts on social order and security.

II. Directions and Goals for Tourism Development

In the process of reforming management and developing the tourism industry according to the economic and social development goals set by the Party and State, it is necessary to consistently adhere to the following viewpoints:

As an integrated economic sector, the development of tourism must take socio-economic efficiency as its main goal. Simultaneously, ensuring political security, social order and safety, protecting the ecological environment, preserving and promoting cultural traditions, ethnic identity, and the dignity of the Vietnamese people.

The multi-sector nature of tourism requires close and synchronized cooperation among sectors and levels under the centralized and unified guidance of the State.

Implementing an economic structure with multiple economic components participating in tourism business, but primarily led by the State, to fully exploit all financial, technical, intellectual, and labor resources both domestically and internationally for tourism development.

Vigorously developing international tourism, viewing this as a strategic direction, while also focusing on developing domestic tourism to meet the increasing demand of the people for sightseeing and travel both domestically and abroad, contributing to raising public awareness, restoring health, improving material and spiritual living standards.

Directions for Tourism Development

Continuously improving the quality and diversifying tourism products to attract international tourists, thereby rapidly developing the Vietnamese tourism industry, catching up with advanced countries in the region and worldwide, making tourism a key economic sector, promoting other domestic industries, providing employment, and meeting the growing demand of the people for sightseeing and travel.

Objectives for economic development from now until the year 2000:

Focus on comprehensive planning for tourism development nationwide, forming tourist centers with distinctive and attractive products to attract domestic and foreign investment to build new and upgrade existing facilities to strive for welcoming and serving over one million international visitors by 1995 and approximately three million international visitors by the year 2000; increase foreign exchange revenue at least ten times compared to 1992.

III. Policies and Measures for Implementation

1. Strengthen state management of tourism throughout the country and in each territorial area:

Supplement and perfect the legal system, regulations, and policies on tourism to ensure strict, unified, and synchronized state management throughout the country.

Quickly reorganize the General Department of Tourism: promote the establishment of tourism establishments in provinces and cities that are tourist centers; clearly define the functions, tasks, and personnel standards of the tourism sector.

Reorganize the tourism business system towards professional specialization in tourism and hotel services to improve the quality of tourism services.

Implement tendering or shareholding for some hotels, guesthouses, resorts... to encourage and mobilize domestic economic sectors' capital to participate in tourism activities.

2. Implement comprehensive planning for tourism development nationwide and for the three key tourism regions:

The General Department of Tourism, together with the State Planning Commission, the Ministry of Construction, and relevant ministries and agencies, and provincial and municipal People's Committees, immediately carry out the planning for tourism development nationwide and in each region, first focusing on the Ho Chi Minh City - Biên Hòa - Vũng Tàu region, the Thua Thien Hue - Quang Nam - Da Nang region, and the Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh region; develop plans for investment in upgrading, renovating, and building new infrastructure and hotels nationwide and in each locality to meet short-term and long-term tourism development requirements.

3. Reform training and research work for tourism development:

The General Department of Tourism will maintain cooperation with the State Planning Commission, the Ministry of Education and Training, and the Ministry of Science, Technology, and Environment to jointly develop proposals for training and researching in the tourism sector as follows:

Based on requirements, tasks, and job standards for civil servants and officials, review and determine the number of staff needed for training and retraining the state management, management, and business staff in terms of expertise, technology, and foreign languages through various appropriate forms to quickly apply modern scientific and technical knowledge, business practices, and management to the tourism sector.

Quickly consolidate and reorganize tourism schools, train a team of excellent theoretical and practical teachers, complete course content, gradually establish a "school-hotel" training model to link training with practice, meeting the needs of short-term and long-term tourism development.

Take advantage of assistance and funding from international and domestic organizations to build national-level, sector-level research projects and send cadres, employees, and students abroad for training and enhancement.

4. Rapidly develop material and technical infrastructure to meet the requirements of tourism development:

Based on the comprehensive planning for tourism development nationwide and in each region, the General Department of Tourism will cooperate with the State Planning Commission, the State Committee for Cooperation and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, the State Bank, and related ministries and agencies to develop proposals to mobilize capital from all domestic and foreign economic sectors to invest in infrastructure and material facilities for the tourism sector as follows:

The General Department of Tourism, along with relevant ministries and agencies and provincial and municipal People's Committees, will quickly develop proposals to submit to the Government for approval of investment plans to construct major infrastructure and large hotels in key tourism areas.

The State Committee for Cooperation and Investment will cooperate with the General Department of Tourism to develop proposals to attract foreign investment for constructing infrastructure (roads, airports, ports...) and large, modern hotels in tourist centers.

The General Department of Tourism will cooperate with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Construction to review and evaluate the entire fixed assets currently owned by the tourism sector (including those belonging to other sectors, organizations, and localities) to accurately account for them, calculate depreciation based on actual conditions, and plan repairs, renovations, and upgrades to meet business requirements.

The General Department of Tourism will cooperate with the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Construction, relevant ministries and agencies, and provincial and municipal People's Committees to review government offices, guesthouses, and resorts that can be used immediately or upgraded to become hotels for tourists - transferring these facilities to operate under current state laws.

The Ministry of Transport will cooperate with the General Department of Tourism to develop proposals for gradually expanding and upgrading some airports, upgrading National Highway 1A and important routes in key tourist areas, improving the North-South railway line, expanding and upgrading some sea and river ports, and establishing some cruise routes for tourists; gradually form modern international border gates to welcome international tourists.

The General Post Office will develop proposals to modernize the domestic communication system and international telecommunications system to serve the country's socio-economic development needs, including tourism development.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Construction, and the Ministry of Finance will cooperate with the General Department of Tourism and provincial and municipal People's Committees to develop proposals for restoring and maintaining historical sites, cultural works, scenic spots, and create attractions for tourists.

The Ministry of Culture and Information, the Ministry of National Defense, the General Department of Physical Culture and Sports, and the General Department of Tourism shall develop a project to provide various forms of ethnic culture, art, and traditional sports for entertainment purposes in tourism in order to eliminate negative impacts on economic and social life.

5. Improve entry and exit procedures, transit procedures:

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Public Security, the General Department of Customs shall cooperate with the General Department of Tourism to amend and supplement entry and exit procedures, transit procedures for tourists to be consistent with the actual situation of our country and international practices, thereby creating favorable conditions to attract tourists to our country while ensuring political security, public order, and environmental protection.

The Ministry of Culture and Information, the General Department of Customs, and the General Department of Tourism shall submit to the Government regulations on management of business activities within the domestic market and import and export of cultural products, antiques... to facilitate tourists' purchase, sale, and transportation of these items conveniently and in accordance with the law.

6. Strengthen market research and tourism promotion activities:

Promote the signing of cooperation agreements in tourism with other countries, especially those in the Asia-Pacific region, and plan close cooperation with neighboring countries to build and develop interlinked tourist routes between our country and those countries.

Organize the establishment of overseas tourism offices of our country, prioritizing countries that are currently key points of international exchange; at the same time, proactively construct houses for foreign travel agencies to rent and open representative offices in Vietnam to expand international publicity, attract tourists and foreign investment, and take advantage of capital, technology, and management experience from various sources and through various methods.

The Ministry of Trade, the Ministry of Culture and Information shall coordinate with the General Department of Tourism and relevant sectors to intensify the promotion of Vietnam's tourism through mass media and various other forms.

IV. Organization and Implementation Guidance

Ministers, Heads of Ministries equivalent to Ministries, Heads of Government Agencies, Chairmen of People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall cooperate with the Director-General of the General Department of Tourism to develop specific projects to submit to the Prime Minister for decision and implementation guidance of this Resolution, and regularly report to the Prime Minister on the results of their work quarterly and annually.

The Office of the Government shall be responsible for monitoring and urging ministries, sectors, and local people's committees to effectively implement this Resolution./.