Fuel-price volatility pressures tourism as localities flexibly boost summer tourism

Fuel-price volatility is creating significant pressure on Vietnam’s tourism sector, prompting airlines to consider reducing flight frequencies, adjusting schedules, or cancelling routes. In response, localities are deploying demand-stimulating measures and coordinating tourism products to attract visitors during periods of disruption, including the temporary closure of Liên Khương Airport, expected to last until August 2026.

Coordinated demand stimulation as Liên Khương Airport closes

To attract visitors while Liên Khương Airport is temporarily closed, Lam Dong Province Center for Investment, Trade and Tourism organized travel surveys for journalists, KOLs and tour operators. The goal was to develop road-tour itineraries and cross-regional tours, with an emphasis on price reductions for services, all-inclusive packages, linking tour routes, and destination promotion.

Travel agencies, accommodation providers, transport operators and sightseeing spots were connected to form coordinated tourism products aligned with market needs at reasonable prices, aiming to improve service quality and diversify visitor experiences.

The program has received a positive response, with nearly 40 enterprises registered. Participating businesses offer discounts on accommodation, cuisine, admission tickets, health-care services and gifts for visitors.

Looking ahead, Lam Dong plans to promote at major events and use QR codes to introduce business information, helping visitors learn about and access services.

Shifting toward domestic and nearby markets

In Hue, Mr. Do Ngoc Co, Chairman of the Hue City Tourism Association, said tour operators are proactively shifting toward domestic and nearby markets—especially Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia—to avoid a decline in visitor numbers. Travel units have also redesigned flexible products to optimize costs while maintaining service quality.

Mr. Tran Xuan Nam, Director of Restour Co., Ltd., said the company commits to keeping prices for signed contracts with travelers. For newly planned tours, the company also reduces profits to limit price increases. “Service providers, accommodations, restaurants, transport and sightseeing spots have sat down together to keep travelers; building attractive combos, adjusting prices reasonably to maintain credibility,” Nam said. “We are actively reviewing itineraries, optimizing transport routes and redesigning tours to suit.”

Quang Tri accelerates summer-season promotions

To welcome the peak summer travel season, Quang Tri is accelerating product renewal and demand-stimulating activities. The opening event is a live TV program at 8:00 PM on April 24, 2026 at Bao Ninh Beach.

Following the opening, a series of activities will include a culinary festival, cultural performance spaces and OCOP product exhibitions with about 100 stalls.

Quang Tri is also pushing international market promotion, especially Korea, through a seminar with major travel companies including Hanatour and Mode Tour. A Business Matching space was organized to connect travel, transport and service businesses and expand cooperation opportunities.

In addition, the Quang Tri Golf 2026 tournament is expected to attract more visitors.

Quang Ninh expands night-tour experiences

In Quang Ninh, the Light Festival on cruise ships runs from April 28 to May 2, as part of 14 activities in the province’s Summer Culture, Sports and Tourism Week.

About 60 cruise ships will be divided into two groups and travel along Ha Long Bay toward two routes. Ships will be illuminated with around 10 minutes of fireworks per ship, supporting onshore activities.

“This is a testing step toward proposing that the night-tour product be included in weekend activities,” said Mr. Bui Hong Minh, Deputy Director of the Quang Ninh Department of Construction.

Quang Ninh is also diversifying tourism products toward high quality, upgrading signature offerings such as bay-based tourism, seaside/resort experiences, night tours, community tourism and ecotourism to extend stays and increase visitor spending.

Hanoi’s VITM 2026 highlights B2B networking

In Hanoi, the Vietnam International Travel Fair (VITM) 2026, held April 9–12, attracted around 450 booths and more than 600 tourism businesses. The standout feature this year is the business-to-business networking program, with about 350–400 participants.

“Nearly 200 representatives from travel operators in key markets and more than 200 domestic travel businesses met for B2B at the fair. This is the most important event of the fair because businesses will bring visitors to us,” said Vũ Thế Bình, President of the Vietnam Tourism Association.

Alongside business matching, the fair included tourism promotion activities between businesses and between businesses and consumers. From April 10–12, the fair was open to both businesses and the public. Exhibitors continued to offer promotional packages to stimulate demand.

Health tourism targets and aviation fuel pressures

Vietnam aims to attract 1–2 million health-tourism visitors from now to 2030. Vietnam’s health-tourism revenue in 2025 surpassed $850 million, with an annual growth rate of around 18%. If the trend continues, the market could reach about $4 billion by the early part of the next decade.

Meanwhile, the aviation industry has cut flights to save fuel. Jet-fuel prices reached $195 per barrel by the end of March, up nearly $100 from the end of February as the Middle East conflict began. As the conflict prolongs, fuel becomes scarcer for countries that do not produce it or have limited supply.

Rural tourism growth through experiential travel

The appeal of rural Vietnam is increasing through experiential tourism linked to nature and local culture. Rural areas are becoming more attractive destinations, with tours ranging from hillside villages and riverine orchards to farmstead visits, craft villages and fruit orchards. The shift is also described as changing community attitudes and making many places more livable.

Tourism themes and coverage

The article highlights tourism keywords including du lịch (travel), Du lịch nội địa (domestic travel), giảm giá dịch vụ (service discounts), kích cầu du lịch (stimulating tourism demand), tour liên vùng (interregional tours), and Vneconomy.