Starting from next month, Russian tourists who visit the central coastal cities will be able to take chartered flights to HCMC and travel on to the Mekong Delta, said the local tour operator serving Russian guests.
Anh Duong Co. Ltd. is working with Vietnam Airlines on chartering aircraft to carry tourists from Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa Province to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in HCMC. Anh Duong is a leading firm in terms of serving Russian tourists arriving in the central coastal cities on chartered flights.
At present, there is only one daily chartered flight bringing Russian visitors to Cam Ranh Airport. Anh Duong Co. currently only books regular flights to take tourists to HCMC for a visit and shopping.
However, during the peak season from next month until the first few months of 2013, the number of tourists will rise sharply. Therefore, Anh Duong is negotiating with Vietnam Airlines on chartering planes to carry tourists to HCMC.
Price is the only thing left to negotiate, said the company. After a long stay at the coastal resorts, Russian tourists often want to travel to HCMC for shopping.
According to Anh Duong, from October 15 to April 30 there will be three chartered flights daily bringing Russian visitors to Cam Ranh Airport. From there, tourists can travel to Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, HCMC and Ninh Thuan.
It is estimated that the total number of Russian tourist arrivals on chartered flights during this period will reach 100,000, doubling year-on-year.
China Southern Airlines on Monday increased one more flight from HCMC to Guangzhou, raising the flight frequency of this route to three return flights a day.
From Guangzhou, passengers will depart for other destinations in China or other countries. Passengers of the HCMC-Guangzhou flight are mainly tourists and businessmen.
There were around 80,000 passengers on this route last year, and the estimated number of passengers may grow by 10% this year.
China Southern Airlines is also offering a promotional airfare starting from US$610, exclusive of taxes, for passengers departing from HCMC, transit in Guangzhou and leave for Los Angeles, compared to the normal price of over US$1,000.
From October 12, the flight from HCMC to Los Angeles and transiting in Guangzhou will use the A380, the world's largest commercial aircraft.