As a result of the negative impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) globally, local travel firms have made it their priority to stimulate the domestic tourism market, with a primary focus on promoting short-duration tours and nearby destinations.

Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh 

According to figures released by the General Statistics Office, international visitors to Vietnam during the year’s first quarter dropped by 68% in comparison to the same period from last year, with the number predicted to plummet further ahead in the year’s second quarter as a result of social distancing restrictions and the complicated nature of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide.

Recent days have seen several tourism sites in the country’s major cities reopen following the easing of social distancing measures, with the majority of travel firms now focusing their efforts on attracting domestic holidaymakers instead.

Pham Tien Dung, director of the International Golden Services Provider Joint Stock Company, said that the company has been striving to work alongside hotel partners and transportation services to design tours aimed at the domestic market, including those with a short duration that would be ideal for local visitors.

Dung noted that the firm is poised to launch several short tours, targeting families and small groups of travelers during May and June, while tours to attractions in the central and southern regions will receive a boost when the aviation industry is set to rebound in June and July.

Nguyen Ngoc Bach, director of SBTOUR company, also outlined how the enterprise has drawn up plans to promote the domestic market.

“The domestic market is our leading target given the current context,” Bach said. “We will focus on small groups and popular destinations, including Sapa, Ha Long bay, Da Nang, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, Da Lat, and Phu Quoc.”

With regard to large groups, the business is expected to switch its plans to centre on the organisation of events and teambuilding activities, whilst simultaneously launching tours in the form of training courses for employees of major firms and those who work in industrial parks.

“In the post-coronavirus period, we will try to maintain operation and hope to bounce back by the end of the year when tourism services are expected to regain momentum,” Bach noted. 

Despite there being no fresh COVID-19 cases recorded among the community for nearly 20 days, plenty of travelers remain concerned about the risk of infection and are hoping to ensure their safety by selecting nearby destinations in the post-pandemic period.

Indeed, a local tourist from Hanoi said her family has chosen Ha Long bay as a destination for a short holiday and will travel by private car as they are confident that authorities in Quang Ninh province have done a great job in fighting spread of the epidemic.

Tours with a short duration and nearby locations are emerging as popular tourism trends among local tourists, with the choice helping to ensure safety, save money, and reduce the risk of infection.

Nguyen Thi Yen, director of the Hanoi Trip Tourism Joint Stock Company, revealed that her business is focused on boosting domestic tourism and is designing tours for families and small groups with destinations close to Hanoi such as Nam Dinh, Thai Binh, Phu Tho, and Bac Giang.