(VOVworld) – Vietnam’s tourism has been directly and indirectly influenced by the tension in the East Sea since China’s illegal placement of its oil rig Haiyang 981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in May. To deal with the situation, many domestic travel firms have launched new tourism programs at reduced prices, and service quality has been improved.

Vietnam welcomed more than 3.74 million foreign tourist arrivals in the first five months of this year, a year-on-year rise of 26%

To overcome the dearth of Chinese tourists, many local tour operators have turned to new potential markets in Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Western countries, and India. Luu Duc Ke, the Director of the Hanoitourist Travel Agency, one of the agencies most popular with Chinese customers, says:

“We have changed our plan by increasing access to Japan and Malaysia which we didn’t pay drastic attention to in the past. We are trying to attract more travellers from Chinese Taiwan to offset the lost growth. Prices for tours to Japan have been cut by two thirds. Tours to the Republic of Korea have also been reduced to less than 940 USD per passenger.”

Nguyen Cong Hoan, Deputy Director of the Redtours Company, highlights the need to boost promotional programs to Chinese people and Chinese-speaking countries and territories such as Singapore, and Taiwan, and Hong Kong of China to help them understand that Vietnam remains a stable, safe, and friendly destination. Hoan comments:

“We should enhance communications on sea and island tourism which will inspire patriotism and tourist demand well. Although this year the number of Chinese arrivals has declined, there are more tourists from the Republic of Korea and Japan. Tours to Japan which are being discounted more than 1,200 USD are attracting a great number of travellers.”

Foreign tourists at Bau Truc ceramics village in the central province of Ninh Thuan. (Photo: Tuoitre)

Not only local travel companies, but provinces are beefing up promotion of their tourism advantages to lure more vacationers. In Khanh Hoa, one of Vietnam’s tourist hubs, Chinese tourists account for only 1.9% of total foreign backpackers, so the cancellation of tours and hotel rooms by Chinese tourists hasn’t much affected the province’s hospitality industry. Nguyen Van Tuan, VNAT’s chief, says Khanh Hoa has been good at diversifying markets its international tourism markets, thus minimizing negative impacts on local tourism. Nha Trang City in Khanh Hoa has become a favorite destination not only for Chinese-speaking backpackers, but also those from Europe, North America, South Asia, North East Asia, and especially from Russia.

Tuan says Vietnam’s tourism industry has taken steps to ensure tourist security and safety and increase their cooperation to jointly overcome the current difficult period. Tuan states further:

International tourists in a cycle tour in HCMC  (Photo: Hoang Long)

“We have plans to expand our markets to offset the slowdown of Chinese vacationers. Priority markets are Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, ASEAN members, and countries in Western Europe, and North America, along with other potential markets in the Middle East, India, and Indonesia. Letter have been sent to national tourism agencies in Vietnam’s core markets to inform them that all tourism activities are continuing normally in Vietnam and Vietnam is still a safe destination. Vietnam is committed to ensuring the safety and security of visitors.”

Recently, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism outlined an action plan to increase domestic tourism and implemented a tourism campaign touting Vietnam as a safe, hospitable and fascinating international travel destination. Vietnam hopes this year to receive 8.3 million foreign tourists and serve 35 million domestic tourists.