Grasping trends, developing suitable products

The Lunar New Year 2024 has a holiday period of 7 days (from February 8 to 14, 2024, equivalent to December 29 to the 5th day of the January on Lunar calendar), long enough to plan spring trips. This year, tourist' tourism trends have also changed due to the economic difficulties after the pandemic.

Ms. Tran Thi Hong Nhi (Ninh Kieu district) said: "After referring to many tour programs with flight routes, I see that the prices are much higher than before, so I'm also considering choices. Instead of choosing tours to the North, my family is planning to choose routes in the Central region like Binh Thuan, Ninh Thuan or the Central Highlands with Da Lat, and Dak Lak. Because the expressways have been opened, transportation is also more convenient, we can be more flexible with time and destinations. We want to experience deeper destinations in our own way of exploration".

Meanwhile, Ms. Nguyen Tran Linh Ngoc (Ninh Kieu district) said: "Considering airfare prices and destination needs of the whole group, we chose the North for this trip. Because spring in the North is very beautiful and there are many things that we want to discover. Safety, comfort, and quality are the priorities when choosing a tourism journey".

In fact, the trend of choosing tourism journeys of tourists this year has changed in many ways. According to travel agencies, service quality, sightseeing itineraries, and tour prices are the top priorities of customers when choosing an itinerary. In this, customers pay more attention to quality, while having a tendency to choose long-term tours and distant destinations. Grasping these trends, travel agencies have also introduced many diverse programs for tourists to choose from.

Accordingly, Vietravel has about 100 domestic tourism products and about 200 overseas tourism products for the Lunar New Year holiday this year. BenThanh Tourist has also opened for sale nearly 100 domestic and overseas tourism programs for the Lunar New Year 2024. Saigontourist has also implemented over 300 domestic and overseas tours with continuous departure schedules, diverse price ranges, and experiences...

Specifically, in the domestic tourism market, demand for North tours is increasing, especially in exploring the Western and Northeast regions; followed by tours to Da Lat, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Phu Quoc, the Mekong Delta. For the overseas tourism market this year, there is a tendency to increase, in which the most chosen destinations are: Japan, South Korea, and China. Followed by the European market, countries in the Southeast Asia region: Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Cambodia.

Mr. Tran Hoang Long (Cai Rang district) said: "In previous years, my family always chose domestic tours but this year airfare prices have increased. When considering the choice between domestic and overseas routes, my family chose to go to Japan because it's cherry blossom season, and the price is also acceptable. Japan is a destination with many things to discover, especially about culture, people and cuisine".

The prices of all means of transportation tend to increase during the Lunar New Year period, especially airfares. Therefore, tour prices this year tend to increase from 5-15% compared to the same period last year.

International tourists to Can Tho are increasing

In Can Tho, international tourists are gradually returning and tending to increase during the year-end and early New Year holidays. Ms. Vo Xuan Thu, Director of Victoria Can Tho, said that Victoria Mekong Cruises operated throughout November and subsequent cruises were fully booked until February 2024.

Experiencing making traditional cakes at Mekong Silt Ecolodge, Can Tho.

Meanwhile, in Can Tho's popular destinations for international tourists such as Cai Rang floating market, Sau Hoai rice noodle, Chin Cua rice noodle, Con Son, Gian Gua, Ninh Kieu Quay, pagodas... witnessed a large number of international tourists. Tourist Matwell, from Scotland, said: "This is my first time in Can Tho and I'm very impressed. I like the rivers and it's fun and interesting to see people trading on the river. Here people are very friendly, when they see me they will smile and greet, I also say hello to everyone".

In Can Tho, local experience tours: cycling, taking boats to explore canals, or cooking with local people are activities that international tourists like.

Ms. Huynh Thi Bich Tuyen, owner of Mekong Silt Ecolodge, shared: "International tourists tend to like experiencing local culture. Here we have many activities for tourists to participate in with local people, such as making traditional cakes together, cooking a family meal or making handicrafts. Tourists really like it and have returned many times, introducing friends and relatives to come."

"Therefore, currently almost every week Mekong Silt Ecolodge receives many international tourist groups: France, Germany, Netherlands, Italy, Denmark, Sweden... Many groups stay long-term from 3-5 days because we provide diverse experiences deeply imbued with local culture and international tourists really like this," said Ms. Huynh Thi Bich Tuyen.

After a two-day trip to Can Tho, tourist Ceridwen, from Sweden, said: "I learned about Can Tho through a friend. She said it was a wonderful riverine and lush place. I came and really loved it here. I walked, cycled, and took boats, meeting many local people. Everyone gave me a feeling of being cherished, they gave me fruit, food, and smiles. I felt warm because of that. I think I haven't fully experienced the unique aspects here yet and hope to return soon to explore more".

Meanwhile, tourist Grainne, from England, shared: "It's fun that I chose Can Tho to discover this time. I like the lush canals here and especially the friendly local people. I cooked with them and made some cakes. I can boast to friends that I can make some Vietnamese dishes".

In fact, since October the number of international tourists to Can Tho has gradually increased, with November being the beginning of the peak season.

Talking about why they chose Can Tho as a destination, tourist Adélard, from France, said: "I chose Can Tho to explore Mekong Delta culture, I heard it has a very famous floating market. I went to Cai Rang Floating Market and was impressed by how people live on the river".

Meanwhile, tourist Justeen, also from France, shared: "I travel without an itinerary, just looking at the map and going wherever looks interesting. I walked around the city, visited some pagodas, and cultural sites, and tried some local dishes. I like experiences like this because it helps me learn more about local culture in each place".

In recent years, Can Tho has become a destination chosen by many international tourists. At this time, the number of international tourists returning to Can Tho is also gradually increasing.

According to travel agencies, in addition to Ben Tre, Can Tho is now a destination in the Mekong Delta chosen by many international tourists on their tour itineraries. In Can Tho, tour routes are diversified, including unique routes exploring community tourism in Con Son, Can Tho - Cambodia waterway, Can Tho - An Giang by cruise ships.