Buzz
Ever since the official announcement of a 4-day New Year break, the number of tourists booking both domestic and international tours has surged rapidly.
As this period coincides with significant discounts in many countries, tours combined with shopping have become a preferred choice for many...
Popular Domestic Tours
According to information from travel companies, compared to last year, the number of tourists booking domestic tours for the upcoming New Year break has increased by 10-15%. The most favored destinations in the North are Moc Chau, Sapa, Ha Giang, Sơn La… This year, the opening of the Hanoi – Lao Cai highway has led to a dramatic surge in tourists to Sa Pa.
Heritage Tours (Quang Binh – Hue – Da Nang) in the Central region and beach island tours in the South continue to attract tourists, especially those seeking to... escape the cold. Despite the rise in tourist numbers, tour prices remain fairly stable: Ha Giang (3 days): 2.5 million VND/person; Moc Chau – Sơn La (3 days): 2.2 million VND/person, Sa Pa (3 days) priced from 3 million VND/person, tours in the Central region: from 6 million VND/person…
When it comes to international tours, due to economic uncertainty, most customers opt for short trips (4-6 days) to destinations like Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Bali, Hong Kong, South Korea... To attract customers, some travel companies have launched budget-friendly tour packages, promotional programs such as partnering with airlines to offer discounted tickets, signing contracts with service providers like restaurants, hotels... to reduce tour prices. Some even organize lucky draws, give away gifts, shopping vouchers, free health care packages, VIP cards... However, without careful consideration, travelers are prone to purchasing low-quality tours.
Ms. Dao Hong Phuong, residing on Tran Thai Tong Street, Cau Giay District, Hanoi, shares her experience. Last year, during the New Year holiday, she booked a 3-day tour to Moc Chau for her family of 4 at only 1.5 million VND per person. However, after a few days of 'suffering', Ms. Phuong was extremely disappointed with the tour's quality. The reason being, it was advertised as a budget tour, where the organizing company not only accommodated guests in low-quality motels but also skimped on meals. Moreover, the tour program didn't live up to its initial promises.
According to the organizer's description, tourists were supposed to freely enjoy vast fields, hills covered with white mustard flowers, peach blossoms, visit majestic waterfalls, and explore ethnic villages of the H'Mong and Dao people... However, the reality was far from the advertisement. The flower fields were mostly trampled, and the waterfalls trickled insignificantly, murky... Learning from this, this year, I won't be tempted by cheap discounted tours anymore,'Ms. Phuong said.
Travel combined with shopping
Besides domestic tours, many people are opting for overseas shopping tours during the upcoming New Year holiday. According to Mr. Nguyen Thanh Dong, the Director of T.D Travel Company, towards the end of the year, many countries will host major promotional events. Hence, many Vietnamese tourists are taking advantage of this opportunity to travel and shop. However, due to lack of experience, many have fallen victim to overpricing.
To avoid such situations, travelers need to be vigilant against sky-high advertising claims, carefully consider prices, the quality of goods, and only purchase items of reasonable value that they actually need. Before embarking on the trip, each person should make a shopping list, survey prices locally, and find the best places to shop.
When it comes to souvenirs, representing the essence of the places visited, tourists should head to reputable stores with clearly marked prices. It's crucial to avoid buying from street vendors or makeshift stalls as the quality is often compromised. When purchasing electronics from small retailers, it's wise to inquire about accompanying accessories before making any payment. In reality, some tourists have ended up with refurbished or counterfeit electronic goods.
Therefore, when buying any item, everyone should thoroughly inspect the product, read labels, compare with domestic products, and test the item before purchase. 'In my opinion, travelers should seize the opportunity to explore, admire the scenery, and indulge in local specialties. Only purchase necessities with better prices and quality than those available domestically. Shopping at large supermarkets is advisable, and if any product defects are detected, speak up,' advised Mr. Dong.
This year, apart from booking tours organized by travel companies, many families have planned self-organized trips to save costs and have more control over travel time. However, to truly have meaningful holidays, regardless of the travel method, every tourist should thoroughly research the prices of goods, culinary styles, transportation, and customs of the destination to avoid unnecessary hassles.
According to Hanoi Times
Book domestic and international tours online with Mytour
The Tour section officially launched by Mytour on December 1, 2014, can be found at: tour.Mytour.
Starting today, our valued customers can explore and select tours directly for their journeys on the Mytour website. With a user-friendly interface and seamless navigation, the Tour section promises to bring even more exciting experiences to cater to the growing needs of our customers.
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Refer to: Mytour Travel Guide
MytourNovember 18, 2015
