HCM City (VNS/VNA) — With the third outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemicunder control, the demand for domestic tours during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday isexpected to rise in the next few weeks, according to travel agencies.

The country will enjoy a seven-day Tet holidaystarting from February 10.

Hundreds of domestic and overseas tours during Tet are usually introduced at this timeof year, said Lai Minh Duy, general director of TST Tourist.

Due to the pandemic, travel agencies are now focusing on onlydomestic tours for the Tet holidayand are taking preventive measures to ensure the health and safety oftravellers, Duy said.

The company is offering 25 tour products for Tet,with tours by air accounting for 40 percent. Early-bird bookingswill receive discounts and gifts.

“High quality tours with thrilling dining experiences, high-end hotels and safedestinations are highlights of tour products this year,” he added.   

Doan Thi Thanh Tra, marketing director at Saigontourist, said the companyreceived many bookings for tours to Phu Quoc Island, Da Lat city, anddestinations in the central region during the holiday.

The number of bookings are expected to rise in the next few weeks if there areno further outbreaks caused by community infections.

The company began selling tours for Tet in earlyOctober.

Nguyen Nguyet Van Khanh, marketing deputy director at Vietravel, said around500-600 customers were buying tours each day.

The company expects to serve 35,000 domestic guests during the holiday, anincrease of 135 percent compared to the same period last year.

Tran Thi Bao Thu, marketing and communication director at Fiditour -Vietluxtour, said domestic tours are major products for Tet this year, and tours are designed dependingmostly based on the safety of the destination.

As the pandemic has affected customers’ confidence and travel demand, tours for Tet this year will not be as busy as inprevious years, Thu said./.