HCM City (VNA) – As Vietnam has achieved high COVID-19vaccine coverage, tourists are ready to book their trips for the upcoming Tet(Vietnam’s traditional New Year) holiday which lasts for nine days.

Southern travel agencies are offering a wide range of toursto various destinations, mostly located in “green” zones in which the COVID-19 is well controlled, and thoseproviding lots of natural open spaces and distinctive cultural experiences.

Short-day trips around Ho Chi Minh City and in the southeastern region and Mekong Delta, which are in close distance, are gaining popularity,according to the southern tour operators. Tours to historic sites inHCM City, such as Cu Chi, Binh Chanh and Lang Le-Bau Co, are the most preferredby tourists so far.

To revive tourism, local authorities and enterprises haveshaken hands to develop and promote tours to various destinations in the city onthe occasion of the New Year 2022 and Tet holiday, said Phan Thi Thang, ViceChairman of the municipal People’s Committee. The effort aims to givevacationers brand-new and exciting experiences and enhance its reputation as asafe and lively destination, she said.

Nguyen Xuan Phuong, from HCM City’s Go Vap district, saidshe is looking for a short-day tour to a destination around the city during theTet holiday for her multigenerational family. After months of socialdistancing, her family wants to explore places that are virus-free and close tonature to let off some steam, according to Phuong.  

To make customers feel safe when travelling, many touroperators have announced strengthened COVID-19 preventive rules. According toVietravel, the company has had all their staff fully vaccinated against thevirus and provided them with protective equipment.

Its tour guides are required to test for COVID-19 whilevehicles are disinfected before and after serving visitors. It has also sethigher food hygiene standards and incorporated COVID-19-related benefits intotravel insurance offered to clients.

There are major changes in tourist behaviour after theCOVID-19 broke out, said Assoc. Prof. Vo Thi Ngoc Thuy, Director of Hoa SenUniversity. Price is no longer the primary concern among holidaymakers today.They are now more concerned about COVID-19 safety, the attractiveness of thetourism products, and customer care services, she explained.

To lure more visitors, firms need to select suitabledestinations and provide more experience to their tours, she suggested, adding thatthey must also strictly observe virus control rules without making touristsfeel uncomfortable./.