Tour operators have decided to raise tour rates by 10 - 15 percent due to rising inflation. However, such an increase has not affected tour registrations. Tour operators expect to see a rise of nearly 30 percent in travellers over the same period last year. To meet diverse demand of travellers during the long Liberation Day (April 30) and Labour Day (May 1) holidays, many travel companies have developed attractive programmes to catch the fancy of tourists. Depending on preferences, needs and budgets, visitors can choose among suitable tours to all continents.
Since early March 2011, Saigontourist Travel Services Company introduced more than 250 inbound and outbound tours with attractive promotions and incentives for customers. Apart from the China - Zhuhai discovery journey, Saigontourist also offers a variety of economy IKO Travel tours like Australia - Philippines (Melbourne - Canberra - Sydney - Manila), and Malaysia - Singapore. It also launched tours to China during the holidays like Hong Kong, Hong Kong - Shenzhen - Guangzhou, Hong Kong - Dayushan, Hong Kong - Shenzhen, Beijing, Wuji - Shanghai - Suzhou - Hangzhou, Hangzhou - Suzhou - Shanghai - Beijing, Beijing - Hangzhou - Suzhou - Shanghai, and Chengdu - Leshan - Emei.
Ms Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, an official of Fiditour - a leading travel firm in Vietnam, said: This year, her company introduced over 200 inbound and outbound tours for the Liberation Day and May Day holidays. For instance, the Australian autumn tour will offer a wonderful experience with vineyards, villages, parks and forests in the other hemisphere. Tourists will get a feel for the life of Australian farmers and cattle breeders, or join food, drink and fashion festivals.
Domestic tours will be very exciting as many festivals are held across the central region during this period. The handicraft village festival titled “Vietnamese kitchens in Hue gardens” will be organised in honour of cooks and gardeners from April 30 to May 3 in Thua Thien - Hue province. The International Fireworks Competition 2011 will be held in Da Nang City from April 29 to 30 on the banks of the romantic Han River. This is the largest music and fireworks competition in Vietnam to date. Competitors are expected to provide unique, spectacular performances.
Visitors also can opt for other interesting tours like visiting Quy Nhon - Land of martial arts, visiting the tomb of poet Ham Mac Tu, visiting Thi Nai Bridge - the longest sea-crossing bridge in Vietnam or lying on beautiful sunny beaches. If you like discovery, you can choose “Going to the cape of Ca Mau - the southernmost tip of the mainland, or explore vast mangrove forests, sightsee Ca Mau and Nam Can floating markets. Another visitor-catching destination in 2011 is central, coastal Phu Yen province with its famous Da Dia waterfall, Vung Ro Bay and Nhan Tower. Visitors will also have the chance to see the first sunlight in Vietnam from Dai Lanh lighthouse - the easternmost tip of the country.
In general, outbound tours are mainly destined to Australia, Europe, the United States, Cambodia, the Philippines, Thailand, China, Hong Kong (China), Malaysia and Singapore, while places of interest for domestic tourists are primarily Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Da Nang, Con Dao and Phu Quoc.
Mr Dang Trung Nghia, Deputy General Director of FIDITOUR, said: “Customer requirements for quality are higher; thus, we continuously improve quality and open new tours to keep our customers. FIDITOUR has new tours and destinations during public holidays this year.”
Vietnamese
