Tet tours filled as prices soar

The prices of Tet (Lunar New Year) tours have increased by 15-30 per cent over normal days but many of them are fully booked and cannot accept more customers.
Travel agents said the number of inbound and outbound Tet tour registrations has increased by 30-40 per cent over previous years, especially those to Phu Quoc Island, the central region and northern provinces.
Representatives of travel firms said although the tour buyers have increased sharply, flights are limited. Therefore, inbound tours to Phu Quoc, Con Dao, Nha Trang, Da Lat, the central region and northern provinces by air have closed.
Tours to these places by air can only be registered after February 7.
Similarly, many outbound tours have closed early. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Mai, head of Communication Department of Fiditour Co, said it has seen a large number of outbound tour registrations to Europe and Africa, with most people choosing tours that start early on February 2 and 3.
Currently, many other outbound tours that start between February 3-6 are nearly full.
A few tickets are left for tours to Thailand, Singapore, the Chinese mainland and Taiwan which will start on February 7 and 8 while the tours to Australia, India, South Korea, Japan, Switzerland and Italy are almost fully booked.
The company said the tour prices have been increased by 20-30 per cent over normal days because of higher transport and accommodation costs. However, this year's Tet tour prices have only jumped by 7 per cent over the last year's festival season prices.
To meet the growing travel demand at Tet time, several agencies are offering package tours to destinations in all corners of the country.
The Lua Viet Travel Co is offering New Year Eve tours including Cao Bang, Lang Son and Bac Can (VND8.6 million/US$430 per person) and Mt Phan Xi Pan (VND3.7 million/$185 per person).
Fiditour's Tet tours include Dong Xoai-Bom Bo Village-Bu Dang, offering an opportunity to appreciate the culture of ethnic minorities; Phu Quoc Island (VND4.19 – 7.59 million/$209 – 379); Da Lat-Lang Biang-Datanla (VND2.59-5.67 million/$129 – 284); Ha Noi-Sa Pa-Huong Pagoda-Yen Tu Mountain (VND7.99 million/$399); and Hue-Ba Na-Da Nang-Hoi An (VND5.89 million/$294).
The He Tre Travel Co has many tour packages including Kon Tum-Gia Lai-Buon Ma Thuot (six days) for VND2.7 million ($135) per person; Chau Doc-Thien Cam Son-Phu Quoc Island (four days) for VND3.2 million ($160) per person; Ha Giang-Lung Cu-Dong Van Market Fair-Ma Pi Leng Mountain Pass-Gam River-Na Hang and Ba Be Lake (six days) for VND10.5 million ($525) per person.
Packages offered by the Huu Nghi Travel Co include Phuoc Long-Dac Lac-Dac Nong-Kon Tum; and a Chau Doc tour to visit a village of the Cham people.
Travel agencies in HCM City offering coach tours to different destinations said their prices have gone up by 5-10 per cent for the season.
Car rentals for Tet tours could increase by 30-40 per cent compared to normal days, travel agencies said.