Train an attractive choice to tourists on National Day holiday

Many travelers are shifting to train to travel in the coming National Day holiday - Illustrative image (Photo: The tourism information centre)

Hanoi - Amid rising airfares, many travelers are shifting to train to travel in the coming National Day holiday, according to Bui Thanh Tu - Marketing Director of BestPrice Travel Company.

Trains offers travelers a relaxing experience as they can enjoy stunning scenery throughout their journey, Tu said.

Therefore, instead of opting for expensive air travel, many tourists choose this unique experience with notable routes such as Da Nang - Hue, Da Nang - Quy Nhon, and Ho Chi Minh City - Nha Trang, the official said, adding that this is an ideal choice for those who want to explore natural beauty and enjoy a relaxing journey.

Reports show that there has been a noticeable shift in travel preferences based on the pocket and demand of travelers, particularly as domestic airfare prices remain high.

About a week before this year's National Day holiday, which will last from August 31 to September 3, airfares increased by around 20% compared to normal days.

According to Nguyen Van Hieu, General Director of Vitamin Tours, high airfares have significantly affected the demand for air travel among the tourists.

Groups of MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) tourists, and travelers tend to choose nearby destinations and travel by road.

Domestic travelers are still focusing on sea destinations such as Ha Long, Sam Son, Hai Tien, and Cat Ba in the northern region, and Vung Tau and Ho Tram in the southern region. Mountain tours to escape the hot weather, such as Moc Chau, Sa Pa, and Ha Giang, are also chosen by travelers. The number of holiday-makers has also increased significantly compared to last year due to the long holiday period.

Tu said that rising domestic airfare prices have also led many travelers to change their plans from domestic travel to outbound tours.

With comparable costs, travelers are increasingly opting for international tours, particularly to Asian countries, which offer appealing experiences. Vietnamese tourists are interested in destinations in Thailand, China, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, with an average spending of around 7 - 25 million VND (282- 1,007 USD) per person.

Airlines add more flights for National Day holiday Several domestic airlines have announced plans to add more flights to serve surging travel demand during the National Day holiday which falls on the weekend from September 1-3.

Airlines offer nearly 242,000 extra seats during National Day holiday The national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and low-cost airline Jetstar Pacific will supply nearly 242,000 more seats on domestic routes from August 30 to September 2 to meet increasing travel demand during the National Day (September 2) holiday.

Airlines asked to increase flights, minimise delay during National Day holiday The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has asked domestic airlines to increase flights during the four-day National Day holiday (September 1-4) to better meet passengers’ travelling demand.

Tan Son Nhat Int"l Airport to see huge load on National Day holiday Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City has prepared its operation plans to serve passengers, which is expected to sharply increase during the National Day holiday from September 1 to September 4.

Asia-Pacific destinations popular for National Day holiday Asia-Pacific destinations are the top choices for Vietnamese tourists in the coming National Day holiday which marks the last long holiday in the domestic tourism season this year.