A recent article titled “Why does Vietnam win numerous travel awards but struggle to attract tourists?” sparked debate among readers.

A Vietnamese commenter named This expressed frustration, stating, “We participate in these voting contests for world travel titles because it’s easier than focusing on improving the quality of our tourism services. In contrast, neighboring countries with well-established reputations, such as Thailand and Singapore, don’t bother with such polls. This highlights a fundamental difference in how we approach tourism.”

While Vietnam collects numerous travel awards, its tourism numbers tell a different story. In the first eight months of this year, Vietnam received just 11.4 million international visitors, half of Thailand’s 22 million.

In 2023, Vietnam welcomed 12.6 million foreign arrivals, lagging significantly behind Malaysia’s 29 million and Thailand’s 28 million. These stark figures raise questions about the real quality and appeal of Vietnam’s tourism.

Many readers offered suggestions for improving the country’s tourism sector.

Reader Minhtoanqt lists a series of problems Vietnam should fix to improve its tourism appeal in the eyes of international tourists: “First of all, the tourism industry should get rid of tourist scams and unfair pricing practices. Second, we have to ensure food hygiene and safety, with clear pricing in all restaurants. Any establishment that fails to comply or is reported by tourists should face business license revocation. Third, we have to maintain a clean, green, and attractive environment for tourists. Fourth, officials must ensure that no land or buildings are left abandoned in tourist areas, decorating and revitalizing such spaces will attract more visitors. Last but not least, the tourism industry needs to improve service quality, offer reasonable prices, and guarantee safety for all tourists.”

Minhtoanqt added: “Vietnam’s beautiful beaches and scenic mountains are major assets. If we fall behind in tourism, we must re-evaluate our way of doing tourism.”

Another reader nicknamed CrazyHand shared a similar sentiment: “We need to improve service quality and expand products that cater to tourists, such as food, drinks, and handicrafts. It’s essential to set higher standards to enhance the quality of these products. Service quality also needs improvement, with a focus on building a team of consultants to provide tourists with the best travel information, ensuring they have a positive and memorable experience. This will encourage them to return again and again.”

*Readers’ opinions are personal and do not necessarily match VnExpress’s viewpoints.