Develop a road tour.
According to an investigation by reporters from the Economic and Urban Newspaper, airfares for routes from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hai Phong to Phu Quoc during the April 30th holiday and summer are currently relatively high.
Specifically, during the April 30th and May 1st holidays, round-trip airfare from Hanoi to Phu Quoc and vice versa ranges from 6 to 7.4 million VND per passenger; from Ho Chi Minh City, the price ranges from 3.5 to 4 million VND per passenger; and from Hai Phong, the price is over 5.3 million VND per passenger.
Meanwhile, flights from other locations to Phu Quoc, such as Da Nang, Can Tho, Vinh, Nha Trang, and Da Lat, have been suspended for several months. International flights from Northern Europe and Central Asia have also begun to decrease as Phu Quoc enters the rainy season. Flights from South Korea and Taiwan (China) remain largely operational.
In response to this situation, many travel service businesses in Phu Quoc have developed new tours and implemented discount policies to attract tourists to the Pearl Island during the holiday season.
Mr. Nguyen Vu Khac Huy, General Director of Vina Phu Quoc Tourism Co., Ltd., said: "Given the high airfare and lower domestic tour bookings compared to previous years, the company has partnered with other companies to develop new tours targeting markets such as the Central Highlands, the Southeast region, and the Mekong Delta."
For example, a 3-day, 3-night Ho Chi Minh City – Phu Quoc tour typically includes the following itinerary: 8:30 AM pick-up at the Western Bus Station, transfer to Ha Tien City (Kien Giang), breakfast the next morning, and then a ferry to Phu Quoc. Upon arrival at Phu Quoc Island, visitors will explore various locations, have lunch, check into their hotel, and continue exploring the island. On the second day, visitors can choose to explore the cable car, Vinwonder, or take an island tour; on the third day, after breakfast and checking out, they will visit several attractions before returning to Ha Tien by ferry to catch their flight back to Saigon. For the Central Highlands – Phu Quoc tour, the duration is typically 5 days and 4 nights, including all-inclusive services.
According to Ms. Le Thi Hai Chau, General Secretary of the Phu Quoc Tourism Development Investment Association, domestic tourists choosing Phu Quoc as their destination for 2024 are beginning to show signs of recovery.
Because Phu Quoc Island offers a relatively large number of entertainment options, there are many segments of the tourism market for visitors to choose from. At the same time, there are many amenities to cater to different groups of tourists. However, the biggest challenge for domestic tourism remains the flight routes and airfare prices.
To meet the travel needs of residents and tourists during holidays and the summer, high-speed ferry companies have planned to increase the number of trips and schedules to give passengers more flexibility when needed.
Mr. Vu Van Khuong, Director of Phu Quoc Express High-Speed Ferry Joint Stock Company, said that starting from April 25th, the ferry company will increase the number of trips from Rach Gia and Ha Tien to Phu Quoc and vice versa to 6 trips per day; the earliest departure time is from 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM for the Rach Gia - Phu Quoc route and vice versa; while the Ha Tien - Phu Quoc route and vice versa starts at 6:40 AM and the last trip is at 3:00 PM.
Cost savings
Ms. Le Thi Bich Ngoc, originally from Dong Nai province, said that she and her group of friends planned a trip to Phu Quoc during the April 30th and May 1st holidays. Initially, they planned to travel by plane, but the ticket prices were too high, so the group decided to travel by car instead. This way, they could enjoy the beauty of the Mekong Delta and explore the sea by speedboat, saving money while still being able to explore to their heart's content.
Similarly to Ms. Ngoc, Ms. Tran Thi Minh Nguyet, residing in Ho Chi Minh City, also believes that traveling to Phu Quoc by land saves a significant amount of money compared to flying, and given the current economic difficulties, this will be the choice of many people when choosing Phu Quoc as a destination during holidays and summer.
“Phu Quoc is very beautiful, the seafood is fresh and delicious. What I like most is exploring the islands, fishing, and snorkeling to see the coral reefs. During this holiday, my friends and I plan to travel from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc for a few days of relaxation and fun,” said Nguyen Van Nam, from Dong Thap province.
Mr. Phan Van Manh, Director of Phu Quoc Golden Dragon Co., Ltd., stated that the company and its service providers will not increase surcharges for tourists during the holiday period.
Speaking to reporters, Ms. Quang Xuan Lua, Director of the Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion of Kien Giang province, said: "In the past, the locality has participated in tourism fairs in localities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to promote the image of Phu Quoc tourism to domestic and international tourists."
Mr. Huynh Quang Hung, Chairman of the People's Committee of Phu Quoc City, said that during the April 30th and May 1st holidays, there will be 28 ferry trips from the mainland to the island each day. The local authorities will continue to inspect price listings and take strong action against price gouging. They especially encourage businesses, residents, and tourists to adhere to civilized conduct rules when visiting the area.
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