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.
Hanoi (VNA) – 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.
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./.
The Outbox Company, a leading market research and data analytics firm specialising in hospitality and tourism across Asia, on May 23 released its report titled "Vietnamese Outbound Travel Trends - Summer 2024".
A delegation led by Chairman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) Nguyen Trung Khanh on June 18 attended a travel symposium and many side activities in Australia's Melbourne city.
The number of tourists to Hanoi in the first six months of this year is expected to reach 14.05 million, an increase of 13.7% compared to the same period in 2023, the municipal Department of Tourism reported.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
