The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism has instructed travel companies to suspend tours to conflict-affected and high-risk areas in the Middle East following U.S.-Israel airstrikes and Iran’s retaliation.
The authority said ongoing instability and armed clashes in parts of the region have severely disrupted travel activities and raised safety concerns.
The authority called on tour operators to closely track developments in destinations impacted by the unrest and to strictly adhere to advisories issued by relevant state agencies.
For Vietnamese tour groups already in affected areas, companies must maintain regular contact with local partners and Vietnamese diplomatic missions to safeguard travelers and promptly activate citizen protection measures if required, it said.
A Vietnamese tour group stranded in Oman amid the Middle East tension stay at a 5-star hotel provided by their airline. Photo by Mac Hieu |
A representative of leading tour operator Vietravel said the company has activated its emergency response protocol and is reassessing all tour groups linked to Middle Eastern destinations to safeguard customers’ safety and ensure their rights are protected.
At present, the company has three tour groups with a total of 51 travelers in Dubai and another group of 24 in Egypt.
Amid flight schedule adjustments and airspace restrictions triggered by the escalating conflict, the groups are temporarily remaining at their hotels in safe conditions while awaiting further updates from the airlines.
The company is contacting airlines such as Emirates and Qatar Airways to advise passengers on flight or itinerary changes if necessary. Passengers who choose to postpone their flights will have their full payment amount preserved according to current policy.
Major Gulf carriers have reported unprecedented cancellation rates, including 41% for Qatar Airways, 38% for Emirates, and 30% for Etihad Airways.
Dubai Airports has halted all flight operations at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport until further notice. In Abu Dhabi, operations at Zayed International Airport have also been suspended.
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