Tourism is struggling due to continuous rain and storms.

Prolonged stormy weather in many central and northern provinces has not only damaged infrastructure but also disrupted domestic tourism, forcing travel businesses to adapt and cope.

Since the beginning of October, the central provinces have continuously suffered from prolonged heavy rains, with many areas cut off due to deep flooding. The Hue - Hoi An - Da Nang tourist route, which is the "backbone" of tourism in the central region, has also had to temporarily suspend operations. Meanwhile, the northern region, including Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, Lao Cai, and Son La, has just experienced landslides and floods, disrupting many roads.

Hotels in Sapa ( Lao Cai ) are shrouded in fog and freezing cold.

PHOTO: LE NAM

Domestic tours are temporarily suspended.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Man, Deputy General Director of VinaGroup Tourism Company, said that almost all tours to Central and Northern Vietnam have been suspended during this period due to unstable weather conditions, making it impossible to guarantee safe itineraries for tourists. Most tourism companies, including VinaGroup, have shifted their focus to safer destinations, mainly overseas tours.

"Since Typhoon No. 10 in early October this year, VinaGroup has suspended all domestic tours in the affected areas and focused on more stable markets such as South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan. Revenue has not been significantly affected because we advised customers to switch to other suitable markets. Currently, the Northeast Asia tour group is experiencing strong growth," Mr. Man said.

Storms may pass, but preparation must always be there. Businesses that adapt quickly, are transparent, and flexible will stand firm in any change.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Man, Deputy General Director of VinaGroup Tourism Company

Unlike many businesses directly affected, BestPrice Travel was fortunate to have no tours scheduled during the storm period. However, Ms. Tran Ngoc Minh Phuong, a representative of the company, admitted that they are still hesitant to open new tour sales until the weather stabilizes. Several tours scheduled to depart in mid-November to Hue and Hoi An are currently postponed. "As soon as a storm is forecast, we stop selling tours immediately to avoid having to cancel them shortly after departure," Ms. Phuong said.

According to Mr. Le Truong Hoang Nam, Deputy Head of Product Development at Vietravel, because the company is affected by storms and floods every year, they always prepare contingency plans. If customers still want to travel, the company will adjust the itinerary accordingly. "For example, if the destination is flooded, we will switch to Da Nang, focusing on indoor activities such as onsen bathing, visiting Sun World or Ba Na Hills. Years of experience help Vietravel handle adverse weather conditions flexibly," Mr. Nam said. However, Mr. Nam acknowledged that this year's storms and floods have appeared earlier and more frequently. Climate change is making natural disasters more complex and affecting the region earlier than in previous years. The Mekong Delta may also be affected soon, especially the former Ben Tre and Dong Thap areas, which are showing signs of severe flooding. If this situation persists, the tourism industry will certainly have to reconsider its plans for the peak Tet holiday season.

In Central Vietnam, many travel agencies are struggling to handle unexpected situations as tourists are stranded due to floods and heavy rain. Ms. Phuong Thao, representative of Asia King Travel Company (Hanoi), recounted the journey of "rescuing" tourists during the recent storms. Most recently, tourists in Hue were stranded for two days, after which the company had to hire both boats and vehicles to take them to the airport. A group in Hoi An also faced a similar situation. Due to the storms, some tours in Central Vietnam had to be canceled, and some groups had to fly directly to Ho Chi Minh City to continue their programs. "We try our best to protect the rights of our customers. Refunds from canceled tours are transferred to new programs, so customers hardly have to pay anything extra," Ms. Thao said.

According to the Vietnam Tourism Association, the storms occurring during the peak autumn-winter season are significantly impacting the travel industry, especially businesses focusing on the domestic market. However, many companies have proactively shifted their focus to international tours or designed more flexible products. Companies like Vietravel, Saigontourist, and VinaGroup all have teams monitoring the weather to promptly adjust itineraries or arrange alternative destinations. Some travel companies in the Central region have also incorporated extended travel insurance, including coverage for tour cancellations due to natural disasters.

Foreign tourists return to Lao Cai for travel.

PHOTO: LE NAM

Concerns about the year-end peak season.

Although revenue has been maintained thanks to the outbound market, many businesses believe that if the storms continue until the end of the year, domestic tourism, especially in Central Vietnam, will face difficulties during the upcoming peak seasons of the New Year and Lunar New Year.

Mr. Le Truong Hoang Nam expressed concern that if extreme weather trends continue, a long-term strategy for disaster-resilient tourism products is needed. "We can make short-term adjustments, but if we experience heavy rain and storms every year, we'll have to restructure tours. We need to develop more products for the rainy season, such as hot spring baths, health and wellness tourism, or therapeutic resort tours," he said.

Asia King's representative also shared the same view: "Natural disasters are unavoidable, but with a well-planned response, tourists will feel the professionalism of the company. In fact, many international guests consider this a memorable experience when they receive dedicated support amidst the storm."

According to tourism experts, besides temporary solutions implemented by businesses, the biggest problem currently lies in transportation infrastructure and destinations. Storms and heavy rains can easily paralyze airports, roads, and tourist ports, disrupting the entire service chain.

In addition, localities need to upgrade early warning systems and build mechanisms to support businesses when they are forced to cease operations due to force majeure. Policies such as tax reductions, fee deferrals, or short-term preferential credit packages can help businesses overcome this difficult period.

Despite facing extreme weather conditions, many tourism businesses remain optimistic. Storms are only part of a long journey; adaptability is the decisive factor in retaining tourists. Mr. Nguyen Minh Man affirmed: "Storms may pass, but preparation must always be there. Businesses that adapt quickly, transparently, and flexibly will stand firm in any change."

The number of hotel bookings has decreased significantly due to the impact of storms and heavy rain in the North and Central regions.

PHOTO: LE NAM

Tourists take advantage of the opportunity to visit the Bac Ha early morning market.

PHOTO: LE NAM

The night market is bustling, and Western tourists are curious about the cuisine of Northwest Vietnam.

PHOTO: LE NAM

Cold rain has hampered visibility, and landslides on many roads have made travel difficult in Sapa.

PHOTO: LE NAM

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, a low-pressure area has formed east of the Philippines and has the potential to strengthen into a typhoon, then move into the South China Sea between November 5th and 7th. It is predicted that in November 2025, the South China Sea may experience 2-3 typhoons or tropical depressions, of which about 1-2 are likely to directly affect the Vietnamese mainland, especially the provinces from Da Nang to Khanh Hoa.

Central localities are advised to closely monitor weather developments and proactively implement flood and landslide prevention measures to ensure the safety of tourists. Travel agencies need to regularly update information to adjust or postpone tours in high-risk areas, especially during the period from November 5th to 10th.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/du-lich-chat-vat-vi-mua-bao-lien-tuc-185251103201532491.htm