The national tourism administration will receive suggestions concerning the amendment and supplement to different articles of tourism policies from now until June for submission to the National Assembly.

According to Huynh Tan Vinh, chairman of the Danang Tourism Association, the protection of tourists should become part of tourism policy.

It is necessary to set up tourism police to protect travelers’ rights, especially as foreign tourists have recently reported many scams and rips-offs, which may damage the image of Vietnamese tourism, said Vinh.

The law also needs to employ a single-price policy for famous attractions so that foreigners pay the same as locals, he added.

Vinh also appealed for more government attention to tourism as it is one of the main industries in Vietnam.
“The government needs to support tourism businesses, because the amount of money hotels have to spend on electricity, water and taxes is the highest in the service industry,” said Vinh.

Nguyen Phuong Mai from the Thua Thien-Hue Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism described the management of tour guides as very loose, citing the fact that even the department does not keep track of the guides to whom they issue working licenses.

Mai also proposed adding the management of overnight boats and ships following several boat sinking cases over the years.