Tourists on Cai Rang Floating Market in Can Tho Province

According to Dr. Tran Huu Hiep, deputy chairman of the Mekong Delta Tourism Association, the region’s tourism stimulus programme will target domestic visitors first and then gradually foreigners, particularly those from Southeast Asia.

The scheme scheduled to last from June to at least December has attracted 140 companies, including 47 accommodation service providers, 22 tourism agents, 36 restaurants which have pledged to discount by 10-50% of their services.

For instance, Victoria Nui Sam Hotel in An Giang Province slashed room rates by 40%. Meanwhile, some tourist destinations in Bac Lieu Province such as Hung Vuong Square and Cao Van Lau Theatre have offered free tickets to visitors.

Thu Duy eco-tourist site in Ca Mau Province also gives free tickets and cuts 30% of accommodation service fees for travellers.

Le Dinh Minh Thy, director of Vietravel branches in Can Tho and Southwest region, said that the company has designed more tours to the Mekong Delta region with longer stay so that visitors can have more time for exploration. Vietravel has resumed Can Tho-Soc Trang-Bac Lieu-Ca Mau tour which has lured many customers.

Tran Minh Tri, general director of An Giang Tourism Joint Stock Company, said the bamboo bridge in Tra Su Mangrove Forest will be lengthened by four kilometres.

Trinh Cong Vinh, chairman of Bac Lieu Provincial Tourism Association, said that 12 tourist site operators in the province have offered either a 10-20% reduction or entirely free entry.

The province has also considered opening farm tours in Phuoc Long and Hong Dan districts.

Dr. Tran Huu Hiep, deputy chairman of the Mekong Delta Tourism Association, added that it is necessary to boost the connection among Mekong Delta localities for tourism development. The region also needs to co-operate with HCM City for this.

The Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) surveyed local demand after the Covid-19 pandemic, indicating that more than 53% of the total surveyed 1,826 people said that they would be willing to travel this summer. Up to 67% chose coastal tourism.