Tran Trung Kien from Vietrantours said many travelers have canceled tours for fear for coronavirus. Most of the tours canceled are outbound tours to China and Japan. Vietnamese are avoiding crowded places such as airports and excursion points.

European travelers in HCM City on February 14, 2020

The number of inbound tours from China and Northeastern Asia (South Korea and Japan) has also dropped sharply.

“We are negotiating with airlines and partners to ensure benefits for clients. When the epidemic is controlled, we will launch tourism promotion campaigns,” he said.

Vietnam has lost many Chinese travelers because of the Covid-19 epidemic, but the number of European travelers has remained stable.

Kien went on to say that Vietrantours offers major preferences under specific programs to foreign travelers to Vietnam.

Tourists are usually informed about the epidemic and recommended to wash hands and wear protective masks when traveling.

The representatives of some other travel firms also said the numbers of travelers from Europe and US remain stable. French, Polish and British travelers have been well informed about the epidemic and have still gone to Vietnam.

“The number of domestic travelers has decreased, but the number of international travelers, mostly from Europe is stable,” said Tran Bao Thu, marketing director of Fiditour.

The travelers booked tours in early 2019 and they did not cancel tours despite Covid-19,” she said.

The company receives 10-15 groups of European travelers every month. The travelers are from Poland, Czech Republic and some other European countries, and they mostly choose tours to the western provinces of the south, Cu Chi area (HCM City) and Phan Thiet.

Thu admitted that the consultancy and sale divisions feel pressure these days because of the Covid-19 epidemic. Sale officers not only have to give advice on tours, but also recommend safe destination points and show travelers the methods to protect themselves.

Travel firms have become united in the epidemic. They join forces with the HCM City Tourism Department to deliver leaflets and brochures in foreign languages to provide information about Covid-19 and the measures Vietnam is taking to stop the epidemic. They also provide protective masks and hand washing liquid for free.

“We cooperate with airlines and insurance companies to delay tours, offer more benefits to travelers, and reduce fee,s” she said, adding that the company shares transparent information with travelers to gain their confidence.

Asev Travel said the number of travelers has decreased slightly, but the number from Europe and US is stable.

“We mostly serve travelers from France and some European countries, so there has been no big change in the epidemic,” a senior executive of the firm said. 

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