Developing transportation systems promotes domestic tourism.

(PLVN) - Vietnam currently has a relatively convenient road and rail transport system, which is still in the process of developing. In the future, this will be an optimal choice for many types of tourists.

Road and rail routes are becoming increasingly popular choices for tourists seeking cost-effective and unique travel experiences. (Source: Tung Phuong)

Cost-effective, wide variety of options.

In recent years, airfares on domestic routes have been trending upwards. Especially during peak travel seasons like Lunar New Year, summer, and holidays, airfares to provinces and cities can be three or four times higher than usual. On some popular travel websites and apps, airfares to destinations like Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa province), Con Dao (Ba Ria - Vung Tau province), etc., in June – the peak summer travel season – are priced between 3 million and 5 million VND per one-way trip, meaning a round-trip ticket would cost between 6 and 10 million VND.

Not only are airfares to major tourist destinations expensive, but travelers also face difficulties choosing airlines. For example, some budget airlines frequently delay flights or make unexpected changes. Customers may even have to wait days or hours for a replacement flight. Conversely, reputable airlines charge relatively high airfares compared to the average income of Vietnamese people. Cheap tickets are only available during inconvenient flight times such as midnight, early morning, or late at night.

Therefore, many tourists have switched to other modes of transportation such as buses, private cars, and trains to ensure a pleasant and perfect travel experience. Road and rail transport in Vietnam has the advantage of offering a wide range of schedules, routes, and options for customers. According to a reporter from the Vietnam Law Newspaper, on reputable train and bus ticket websites, round-trip tickets from Hanoi to Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City, etc., range from approximately 2 million to 4 million VND depending on the chosen option.

Speaking to the media, Vietnam Tourism Company stated that in 2024, the demand for train travel increased significantly compared to the previous year. Many young families, officials, and employees chose trains to offer a new travel experience and save costs on their trips.

Upgrading railway and road networks enhances the tourist experience.

In fact, the road and rail transport systems are contributing to tourism growth, becoming a unique product in many provinces and localities in Vietnam. According to statistics, from 2022 to 2024, the number of passengers traveling by train between Hanoi and Hai Phong increased steadily by an average of 10% per year, reaching over 1.5 million passengers. In 2024 alone, over 1.5 million tourists arrived in Hai Phong by rail, an increase compared to 1.4 million in 2023. Hai Phong City has plans to develop its railway system into a distinctive tourism product.

In the North, expressways connecting Hanoi with the Northwest, Northeast, and North Central regions have been put into operation, creating favorable conditions for tourism development. Travel time from Hanoi to popular destinations in the North such as Sa Pa (Lao Cai), Hai Phong, Ha Long (Quang Ninh), Mong Cai (Quang Ninh), Ninh Binh, and Nghe An has been shortened to only half the previous travel time. With the Mong Cai - Quang Ninh route, the province not only attracts domestic tourists but also appeals to foreign tourists traveling by road.

Although railway and road services in Vietnam are currently relatively good, there are still certain limitations. For example, travel time on long-distance routes from North to South takes about 12 hours or more. Some provinces and localities that are developing tourism still lack expressways. This is a problem that makes many tourists hesitate when choosing domestic tours.

At the 9th session of the 15th National Assembly, the Government proposed allowing the application of 9 special mechanisms and policies for the Quy Nhon - Pleiku expressway; and a preliminary adjustment of the total investment for the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau expressway project (phase 1), increasing it from VND 17,837 billion to VND 21,551 billion. The Quy Nhon - Pleiku expressway project is proposed to have a total length of approximately 125km, passing through the territories of two provinces: Binh Dinh (approximately 40km) and Gia Lai (approximately 85km). The route will have 4 lanes, with continuous emergency stopping lanes, a roadbed width of 24.75m, and a design speed of 100km/h.

In particular, the National Assembly has just approved several unprecedented large-scale projects in the history of the railway industry, such as the North-South high-speed railway project. This is a "mega-project" with a total investment of up to 67 billion USD; and the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway project worth more than 8.3 billion USD. According to the North-South high-speed railway plan, the line will be newly built with double tracks, a gauge of 1,435mm, a design speed of 350km/h, a maximum operating speed of 320km/h for long-distance trains, and a maximum speed of 250-280km/h for short-distance trains.

Huong Ngoc

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/phat-develop-the-transportation-system-to-boost-domestic-tourism-post549132.html