Ba Ria-Vung Tau province is piloting a “travel bubble” model for 4 resorts that have contained the COVID-19 pandemic as an effort to start reviving its tourism sector, which has been shut down by the pandemic.

3 of the 4 locations chosen to pilot the “travel bubble” model are in Xuyen Moc district, one of the province’s three safe zones.

The Binh Chau Minera Hot Springs resort, a resort with 70 open-air fountains, has upgraded its facility and services to prepare to resume operation while strictly following all COVID-19 prevention and control protocols, including the “5K” measures. 

"All of our staff have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 70% have been fully vaccinated. We believe we can meet all the requirements for piloting the “travel bubble” model," said Pham Anh Kha, the resort’s General Manager.

The Grand Ho Tram Strip is a 100-hectare tourism complex comprising resorts, entertainment & dining venues, a golf course, and other resort facilities. In recent weeks, the facility has mapped out multiple scenarios of pandemic prevention and control, and says it is fully prepared in terms of human resource and facility to welcome tourists.

Giang Truong Thu, Vice President in charge of security and emergencies of the Grand Ho Tram Strip Complex, said: "Our 500 employees have been quarantined onsite for over 3 months. All of them have received a first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and will get their second dose soon. Disinfection and other pandemic prevention measures have been taken, following the provincial authorities’ guidelines."

Statistics from the provincial Department of Tourism show that during the first 5 months of 2021, local tourist sites welcomed nearly 2 million visitors, 67% more than last year. Ba Ria-Vung Tau province is running multiple promotional campaigns, using the “Vietnam Safe Travel” app to ensure travelers’ safety, and digitalizing business operations and management to provide tourists a better experience.

The “travel bubble” model is being widely used around the world to gradually restore tourism activities in a safe manner. There are no international flights to Ba Ria-Vung Tau province yet, so the model will apply for now to tourists who live in Vietnam.

At an online meeting on Tuesday with the 4 tourist resorts chosen to pilot the model, Pham Viet Thanh, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, said with this model and 100% vaccination for their employees, these businesses will be given the most favorable conditions to operate.

"The Prime Minister has made it clear that we cannot prolong social distancing," Thanh said, "We need to adapt to and restructure our operation to suit the “new normal”. We will allocate more vaccines to businesses under the pilot program as soon as they arrive, so that all the staff can start work soon.

Tourists who visit a “travel bubble” resort in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province will be in a closed bubble during their whole trip, from their point of departure to the resort and back again.

Applying the “travel bubble” is a prerequisite for the tourism sector of Ba Ria Vung Tau province to recover and grow when the pandemic is contained.