LIFE'S A BEACH: The tourism industry is expected to bounce back this summer after two years of stringent COVID-19 travel restrictions. VNA/ VNS Photo

By Xuân Đăng

Travel firms in Việt Nam are making plans to meet the rising demand for visitors as summer holiday peaks.

The tourism industry is expected to bounce back this summer after two years of stringent COVID-19 travel restrictions and regulations. Tickets for flights, trains, buses, and accommodation have been nearly sold out.

According to the Southern Airport Authority, air travel has seen a strong recovery. The number of passengers handled by Tân Sơn Nhất Airport was 114,000 per day during the weekend, higher than public holidays on National Reunification Day (April 30) and Labour Day (May 1).

The summer holiday is forecast to record an unprecedented increase in demand for air travel, according to the aviation businesses.

The Bến Thành Tourist Company has also seen an increase in the number of travellers who book domestic and international tours.

According to Fiditour, demand for tours to the coast and highlands has risen strongly, and visitors must book tours early to ensure their place and reasonable prices.

Trần Quốc Bảo, deputy general director of Saigontourist, a leading tour operator, said it expected to serve more than 280,000 customers and the number might be higher because demand for domestic and outbound tours was still growing strongly.

VIEW FROM ON TOP: Touching the peak of the Mt Fansipan in Sa Pa has become a wish of many. VNA/VNS Photo Quốc Khánh

“Summer is the peak season of the year, so we focus all financial and human resources to diversify services,” Bảo told Tuổi Trẻ (Youth) newspaper.

According to a representative of Vietravel Company, every day, hundreds of people buy tours and the number is increasing.

The most favourite tours are Hạ Long, Sa Pa, Côn Đảo, Phú Quốc, Quy Nhơn, Đà Nẵng, and Nha Trang.

This year, the way Vietnamese tourists travel has also surprised the market, according to tourism firms.

Many families are willing to spend on high-class tours, demanding more stringent requirements on the quality of accommodation facilities and food services.

Tours that let travellers stay at four and five-star hotels have been booked to destinations such as Phú Quốc, Đà Lạt or Sa Pa.

Despite the sharp increase in tourists, travel agencies have ensured all tourism activities of their tours are well taken care of.

The General Director of Saigontourist Travel, Nguyễn Hữu Y Yến, said that the company had a lot of experience in serving domestic and international visitors during the peak season.

ISLAND HEAVEN: Tourists find their way to Long Beach in Dương Tơ Commune on Phú Quốc island. VNA/VNS Photo Hồng Đạt

Up to 160 package tourism products had been built to match market trends, meeting the requirements of resort tourism, she said.

"Vietravel is well prepared to welcome tourists," added General Director of Vietravel Trần Đoàn Thế Duy.

HCM City has made every effort to improve new tourist products and offer new tours, such as high-class sightseeing boat tours, and cuisine tours.

Meanwhile in Đà Nẵng, a series of events has been set from June to August 15 to attract tourists to the beach city.

These events will focus on musical festivals, beaches and cuisine, all seen as major attractions for tourists headed to Đà Nẵng during the summer.

Experts encourage visitors to purchase travel insurance to ensure the safety and protection of trips. VNS