New Years’ tours sell like hotcakes
15:14' 27/12/2007 (GMT+7)

VietNamNet Bridge – Sapa and Ha Long Bay are the most attractive domestic destinations while Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore are the most attractive overseas destinations to Vietnamese tourists during this Western New Year holiday.

As most will only have three days off for the Western New Year holiday, Sapa, Ha Long Bay, Hue and Da Nang are preferred for their proximity.

 Le Hong Thai from Hanoitourist said Ha Long is the top choice at his company. Boat tours, usually a favorite amongst foreigners, are now seeing a local tourist registration rush. A two-day three-star boat tour to Ha Long Bay is US$120/person.

The second most popular tour at Hanoitourist is Sapa, for VND1.3 million per person. As the weather is cold in the north now, tourists hope to see some snow.

For those who missed the chance to visit Hue and Da Nang this summer due to storms and floods, the Western New Year holiday is an ideal opportunity. With three days only, most of the visitors select tours that include air transport. The price is bouncing between VND2.8 and VND3.5 million per person.

 Tours to HCM City and the Mekong Delta (7-10 days) are not selling so well. Young couples have bought tours to Nha Trang and Da Lat to enjoy their honeymoons, VND11-12 million per couple.

In general this year, better quality tours are in demand.

The number of people registering for New Year tours hasn’t increased compared to last year but tour prices rose by about 15%, mainly because of increasing transport, hotel and food prices.

Notably, overseas tours are selling better than local destinations. As low-cost airlines are slashing fares and income levels rise, overseas travel is now a reality for many Vietnamese travelers.

At Vietravel, a reputed firm in Vietnam, around 300 foreign tour packages were sold by December 25. Thailand and Malaysia – Singapore are the top destinations.

The number of tourists going to Thailand is going back up thanks to renewed stability post political upheaval. However, Malaysia – Singapore is still more preferred.

Coming in third are Chinese destinations. The South Korean and European tourist markets are not in high demand but have still seen slight increases.

According to Duong Mai Lan, head of Vietravel’s Research and Development Division, the average price of overseas tours during the Western New Year holiday 2007 is higher than other holidays and last year. Lan said that up to 90% of Vietravel’s overseas tours have been booked.

(Source: Dan Tri)