VietNamNet Bridge – The approaching six-day national holiday (April 28-May 3) has proved a goldmine for tour companies who have been flooded with people buying overseas tour packages.

Sight to behold: Fuji Mount is one of many well-known destinations in Japan. Tourist companies in Viet Nam have introduced several new packages for the upcoming six-day holiday. — Photo luxetravelasia.com

To lure tourists, tour organisers have introduced several new and interesting packages.

At the HCM City-based TST Tourist Company, all the tours to Japan and South Korea to enjoy cherry blossom and wisteria have been fully booked since the end of March.

The number of tourists buying these tours has doubled in comparison with the same period last year.

For those who booked tours to Thailand far in advance, the company offered VND1 million (US$50) discounts.

To meet increasing demand, the company also introduced tours to Australia, Hong Kong and some Southeast Asian countries.

"Within two days, April 30 and May 1, we will have 50 groups travelling abroad. This incredible number is really a promising start for our summer target," a TST representative said.

At Vietrantour, the number of people buying tours for the holidays has increased to 3,000 people, 50 per cent more than for the same period last year. Seventy per cent of the tours were to other countries.

Tours were fully booked at Hanoi Redtours. This involved 4,000 overseas trips and 3,000 domestic ones.

Saigontourist has stopped accepting guests for tours to the United States, Australia, Europe and Japan as all have been fully booked. However, tours are still available to countries that have visa-free policies for Vietnamese passport holders, such as Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

So far, 12,000 people have purchased tours by Saigontourist for the holidays.

By April 9, most of Vietravel Company's guests picked tours to Europe, Australia, Japan and South Korea.

To prepare for the holiday rush, Vietravel will increase the number of coaches for domestic tours and for some to neighbouring countries.

Vietrantour has introduced new packages which focus on environmentally responsible tourism. The tours include secluded beaches in Quy Nhon, Tuy Hoa or on Ly Son Island in Quang Ngai.

According to acting director of the Vietravel's Marketing Department, Tran Thi Viet Huong, her company offers special discounts of up to VND3.6 million ($160) for some domestic tours.

"The tour price during this occasion has risen by only 10 per cent compared to the normal price," she said.

Vietravel together with Sacombank are offering a hire purchase policy without interest for six to 12 months. Guests buying tours valued at VND5 million ($250) or more can participate.

VNS