Seasonable tourism is a common trend in most countries in the world and this is also a fundamental factor to outline tourism policies where peak seasons and off-peak seasons will require different strategies. If [Vietnam] has a price-stabilising strategy, the outcome of seasonal tourism will significantly contribute to the development of the Vietnamese tourism industry in particular and the Vietnamese economy in general.
Seasonal tourism has been developed for a long time. This is a good time to attract tourists basing on demand, social and cultural characteristics. Vietnam has two main tourist seasons, namely Spring and Summer, and the transitional season is autumn.
Vietnamese and international travellers typically want to go sightseeing, explore natural landscapes and discover cultural and spiritual festivals. Spring tours are mainly focused in the northern region where there are many popular cultural festivals open during the season, such as Perfume Pagoda, Bai Dinh Pagoda and Hung King Temple. The demand for tourism peaks in summer because students and parents are on summer holidays and workers find interesting places to refresh in hot days. Favourite summer resorts include Ha Long, Cat Ba, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Mui Ne, HCM City and Phu Quoc. Seasonal tourism programmes like flower watch in spring and going to beach in summer. Services are differentiating and prices are variable.
Mr Nguyen Minh Man, Marketing Director of Vietravel Tourism Company, said: Seasonal tourism largely affects development orientations of Vietnamese tourism companies. This trend, thus, makes them active in creating and seizing opportunities and anticipating seasonal difficulties. For example, Saigon Tourist designed many themed travel sites like
www.dulichhe.com (for summer tours),
www.dulichthu-dong.com (for autumn and winter tours),
www.dulichtet.com (for New Year tours). Vietravel bases on seasonal characteristics to organise regular activities and events to increase utilities and opportunities for tourists. During the four different seasons of the year, Vietravel launches season-themed promotional programmes. Since 2006, the company’s programmes are highly appreciated for their continuously improved quality and contents
However, Mr Vu Hoang An, Director of Rainbow Travel Company, said seasonal tourism trend is becoming popular in Vietnam but prices usually unexpectedly rise during this season, even doubling and trebling normal days. Event organisers and service providers also increase their prices a lot during peak seasons, sending both travel companies and travellers to a dilemma. Thus, Mr Man pointed out that the Vietnam's tourism industry needs a stable policy for service quality and price in order to enhance its competitiveness against other attractions in the region.
Thu Huyen
Vietnamese
