In a directive issued this week, the agency urged operators to closely monitor developments and follow advisories from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, suspending tours to war zones and other high-risk areas.
For groups already in affected destinations, firms were told to maintain close contact with local partners and Vietnamese diplomatic missions to ensure travellers’ safety and prepare protection measures if necessary.
A rapid survey of domestic operators showed that many had already paused tours to parts of the Middle East, including Iran, Dubai, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, citing security concerns.
Vietravel said it currently has three groups of 51 travellers in Dubai and one group of 24 in Egypt, all reported safe. The company is working with airlines and local partners to secure accommodation and essential services while keeping customers informed.
Vietluxtour said it has also reviewed and adjusted its itineraries to ensure maximum safety. “We are not launching new tours to the Middle East until there is a clearer assessment of stability and security,” a company representative said.
The Middle East functions not only as a major global aviation transit hub but also as a high-spending tourism market with convenient links to Europe, Africa and South Asia.
Amid the geopolitical tensions, some Vietnamese operators have diversified their offerings, shifting customers from Middle East routes to other Asian destinations and avoiding Europe-bound itineraries that transit the region to reduce reliance on a single hub.
