25 January 2008
Several years ago, welcoming Tet abroad was a “privilege” enjoyed by only a few rich families, but now, going overseas for the holiday has become a popular new trend.
Currently, most tourism companies have sold all their overseas tours taking place during the Tet holiday, despite some travel firms increasing their prices by 10-25%.
Nguyen Lam Thu from Viettram Tour said, of nearly ten overseas tours during Tet (mainly to Asian countries) like Hong Kong – Shanghai – Shenzen, Thailand, Singapore, etc. only the tour to Malaysia (5 days, 4 nights, $475/person) is available, starting from the second day of the New Year.
Lac Viet Travel stopped booking its overseas tours one week ago. The firm will open new tours to Singapore and Malaysia after Tet.
Green Bamboo Tourism Company now has only four tickets left for their Beijing – Shanghai tour (6 days, 5 nights, $655/person) only.
Phung Manh Hai, Deputy Director of V’star Hoa Binh Company in Hoa Binh City, said his family will go to China during Tet to relax after a busy year.
“I want to go abroad to liberate my brain from work and spend time with my wife and children. Last year I didn’t have much time for my family,” Hai said.
“If I’m in Vietnam during Tet, I will have to meet with colleagues, friends and thus my head will not totally escape from work. Welcoming Tet in China with my family is the best choice for me,” he added.
Sharing this reasoning, Nguyen Phan Anh from Minh Khai commune, Tu Liem district, Hanoi, chose a trip to Singapore. “I and my wife live with my parents, so it is inconvenient to take care of each other in front of my parents, so I decided to welcome Tet in Singapore where we can give our whole time to each other, we can relax and regain our strength,” he said.
Nguyen Thuy Ha, the owner of a fashion shop at Thanh Xuan Market, Hanoi, will welcome Tet in Thailand alone. “Perhaps I will find my husband in Thailand,” Ha joked.
Nguyen Van Toan, an employee of a construction company in HCM City will fly to Hanoi to join a tour of China. Toan had to book his tour with a Hanoi-based travel company because travel firms in HCM City were sold out as of a week ago. Toan said he buys overseas tours to “seek new feelings for the New year”.
As their income is increasing, the gap between local and foreign tour prices is not so high and with poor tourism facilities at home, more and more Vietnamese people are going abroad for the holiday.
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