Expensive airfares force travellers to rethink holiday plans

The upcoming Reunification Day (April 30) and Labour Day (May 1) break this year will last a full five days, and travel companies in Vietnam are hoping to cash in.

“The number of bookings is increasing day by day. This holiday will attract an additional number of foreigners living and working in Vietnam. Some of them did not travel during the Tet holiday, which is a traditional custom of Vietnamese people, so this holiday is an opportunity for them to enjoy a long vacation to rest and refresh themselves," said Pham Ha, founder of LuxGroup, a luxury travel and tourism company and cruise operator.

"The holiday is long but airfare prices are increasing sharply, so many families are looking at short-term tours to nearby destinations," he added.

According to travel agencies, although the number flight bookings is lower than the recent Lunar New Year, airfares are still expensive. As the holidays near, economy tickets will sell out quickly, leaving only business class tickets that are too expensive for the average traveller.

Therefore, many people are choosing beaches in Quang Ninh, Haiphong, Thanh Hoa, or Nghe An, or beautiful destinations such as Sapa (Lao Cai), Moc Chau (Son La), Ha Giang, and Hoa Binh to travel. In the southern region, many people have plans to travel to Nha Trang, Phu Yen, Quy Nhon, and Dalat.

Cruise travel has become a trend

Cruise travel has become a trend

Along with traditional tours on land, many travellers prefer to spend their holidays on 5-star cruises.

“5-star cruises offer a luxurious space with international standard services. They are also cheaper than flying, and guests don't have to waste time checking in and out. In other words, they can relax and enjoy time with family and friends," Ha said. “Cruises generate revenue for travel agencies and cruise operators, and also open business opportunities for other sectors. Vietnam is in the ideal location to become an international marine centre, and with its skilled labour force, this will help to support the shipbuilding industry. Many renowned shipbuilding companies such as Corsair Marine, Yanmar, and Yamaha have factories in Vietnam.”

Many localities are aware of how cruise tourism can attract both domestic and international visitors, and in recent years, localities have been developing tourism and services to meet the demand.

The northern province of Quang Ninh is an example. Along with policies to attract investment from tourism businesses, the province has also spent a lot on tourism and service infrastructure.

The province has synchronous transportation by land, sea, and air, and is the first locality in the country to have a specialised international tourist cruise port that can welcome many large-scale international ships at the same time, creating favourable conditions for the development of cruise tourism.

As part of ongoing efforts of the province’s Halong city to promote tourism, Halong Party Committee has agreed to develop three wards of Bai Chay, Hung Thang, and Tuan Chau into a tourism centre.

Ward-level authorities have been tasked with ensuring a stable business climate, public safety and security, and public hygiene in the area, while launching travel products and services for local people and holidaymakers.

The province is also working with cruise operators and travel agencies to generate attractive tourism products to take advantage of cruise ships on Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay, limit seasonal tourism, and gradually realise the goal of turning Quang Ninh into a four-season destination.

“The province should develop marinas. At the same time, we are still waiting for policies to attract investment in public-private partnerships, encouraging businesses to invest together and exploit the maximum potential of waterway tourism,” Ha said.

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