The peak tourism season in Vietnam starts from late April to late August, as there are many public holidays and students off from school during this period. Especially, late April this year will have three public holidays and many companies give six days off work for their employees - an ideal time for tourism.
Grasping upcoming demand, many travel companies have drawn up travel tours, routes and places for customers since early April. According to travel companies, coastal tours remain the top choice this year. However, there will be lots of changes this year when more people choose luxury resorts as destinations. Unlike previously, many people can now afford a holiday in a luxury resort.
Mr Tran Van Mau, Vietnam Tourism Company’s Inbound Market Division, said resorts and tourist villas are becoming more and more attractive to tourists. More tourist groups are families. This is a good sign for the travel sector, because these groups tend to spend more and stay longer. Nevertheless, this is also a worry because many travel firms are unable to organise many tours at the same time and there are not enough hotel rooms. A price rise will easily happen.
Hanoi Toserco Tourist Centre said at the peak time, hotel rooms are normally not enough. Representatives from Tuan Chau Resort (Quang Ninh) and V-Resort (Hoa Binh) said overloading never occurs in the ordinary time of the year, but resorts have had to refuse many bookings in peak times.
Apart popular northern places of interest like Ha Long, Do Son, Sam Son and Cua Lo, many are now keen on long-day stays in central and southern regions. Transviet Tourism Company said many offices and units have booked tours in southern provinces. In addition, individual tourists are also significantly rising.
During the summer peak time, the cost for a tour will increase some 20-25 per cent compared with 2006. However, Ms Nga said the cost of travel tours varies from time to time. The time of travel and the volume of tourists can also influence the price.
In addition to inbound tourism, outbound tourism is forecast to sharply rise as many travel firms have introduced attractive sales promotion programmes. Last year, Thailand was the most favourite destination, but this year China, Malaysia, Singapore and Cambodia are also good options, because tour prices are very reasonable.
Giang Tu
Vietnamese
