Vietnamese tourists opt for outbound tours, alternative transport

With summer nearing its peak and domestic airfare skyrocketing, Vietnamese travellers are increasingly looking abroad or opting for alternative transportation for their vacations, according to travel agents.

On a tour of the Mekong Delta

The rising cost of domestic flights has fueled a surge in outbound tours, with travel companies reporting a significant increase in bookings, particularly among family groups and individual travellers. Tour packages priced between 8-15 million VND (roughly 333-625 USD) per person seem to be a sweet spot for many vacationers seeking value for money, said CEO of Vietluxtour Tran The Dung.

Sharing this sentiment, General Director of the Vietnam Media Travel Pham Phuong Anh noted a high interest in trips to Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, Europe, Australia, and the US, adding that while cost-consciousness is on the rise, tourists are still willing to splurge on high-quality experiences they perceive as worthwhile.

To stay competitive, travel companies and hotels are offering discounts of 15-20% for groups of five or more. Additionally, many travellers are turning to alternative transportation options like high-speed and regular trains, buses, or even road trips with their families to save money.

The recent launch of the Thang Long high-speed vessel, offering a four-hour journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Con Dao island in the southern province of Vung Tau for a price between 615,000 – 1.1 million VND, exemplifies this trend. Similarly, train tours departing from Ho Chi Minh City to various provinces are gaining traction, providing a comfortable and scenic way to explore different regions.

Looking ahead, travel experts emphasised the need for Vietnamese localities and hospitality providers to collaborate on sustainable development strategies and maintain stable service prices to effectively attract domestic tourists in the long term./.

VNA