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| Visitors experiencing calligraphy and “Xin chu” (asking for New Year calligraphic blessing words) |
Kickstarting the Tet tour market
From as early as November 2024, Vietravel already introduced promotional programs for tour packages in At Ty Tet holiday, featuring six promotions for domestic and international tours. Notably, domestic tours are segmented into budget, standard, and premium categories, with group discounts available. For overseas Vietnamese returning for Tet, standard tours priced from VND 15 million willinclude free local city tours or additional travel services, along with opportunities to purchase additional tours at discounted rates. International tours in Tet holiday also feature diverse and appealing promotions.
Mr. Hoang Van Khanh - Director of Vietravel Hue shared that this year’s Tet holiday coincides with the reopening of many domestic flight routes. Vietravel has also reopened tours to destinations like Phu Quoc, Da Lat, Nha Trang, and northern regions. All domestic and international tours are now available for booking and ready to serve customers.
According to Mr. Tran Quang Hao - Director of HueTourist Joint Stock and Services Company, for visitors wanting to experience Hue during Tet, additional services are being introduced. Beyond enhancing the Tet atmosphere in tourism activities, new features include kayaking in Ru Cha for Tam Giang Lagoon afternoon tours and wellness tourism at Thuy Bieu, which integrates herbal therapies like soaking baths, saunas, and foot soaks.
The nine-day At Ty Lunar New Year holiday provides an excellent opportunity for tourists to plan trips. 2025 Tet tours focus on experiences, including specialized products for both domestic and international tourism. Typically, Tet tours are built around traditional products and market demands while also incorporating fresh, unique experiences tied to the Tet holiday spirit. Popular activities include exploring experiences in the Imperial City, together with activities and festive event in New Year.
Vice President of the Provincial Tourism Association and Director of the Vietnam Travel - Hanoi Joint Stock Company (Hue branch), Ms. Duong Thi Cong Ly, shared that for international visitors returning home, there is increased interest in staying at homestays, visiting craft villages, learning about Hue's Phap Lam art, and exploring eco-tourism villages like Thuy Bieu.
To prevent steep price hikes and ensure service available, travel companies are securing flight tickets, accommodations, and partnerships with service providers early. This helps ensure optimal service and offers “value-for-money tours” with added benefits for customers. Chairman of the Provincial Tourism Association Do Ngoc Co noted that tour prices in Tet holiday have risen by about 15-20% compared to regular days. However, this increase is mainly to cover additional costs for staff working during Tet, as well as surcharges from restaurants and destinations, not for revenue of travel agencies. Overall, travel companies are striving to keep tour prices appealing to attract customers.
Changing travel trends
According to representatives from Hue branch of Vietravel, as of November 2024, long-distance tours to European countries have already been booked, while shorter tours to Southeast and Northeast Asia typically see bookings closer to mid-December. This year, many travelers have expressed concerns about economic challenges, leading them to carefully consider costs when selecting tours.
President of the Provincial Tourism Association Do Ngoc Co noted that domestic travelers this year tend to prefer self-sufficient travel to proactively plan their itinerary. Additionally, travel companies atboth ends of the country are collaborating to bring more tourists to Hue for Tet experiences. However, according to their evaluations, market travel for Tet tours remains subdued as of late November, with not many bookings for Tet tours. Many travelers prefer last-minute bookings to better accommodate personal schedules. There is also a noticeable preference for shorter tours, allowing more time for family visits.
While Hue is expected to attract a significant number of visitors for its Tet festivities, other domestic destinations such as Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Sapa, Da Lat, and Ha Giang are also projected to be popular in late December and during Tet. For international travel, destinations like Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan are expected to draw interest during Tet due to their closer proximity, reasonable costs, and suitability for temple visits and New Year blessings.