Vietnam halts outbound tours to coronavirus-hit destinations
The Vietnam Tourism Association has asked its tour operator members to halt outbound trips to coronavirus ravaged countries including South Korea, Italy, Japan and Iran.
It is calling on operators to halt any new trips until the outbreak – which could still become a global pandemic – is under control.
All four countries have seen a recent surge in cases and deaths, as multiple airlines offer waivers to travellers or suspend services.
"Today, we had a group tour to South Korea, but the company cancelled and agreed to refund tourists 100% including visa fees," said Huynh Phan Phuong Hoang, deputy general director of Vietravel.
Vietravel suspended all trips to Italy but is still currently offering Japan tours.
The VTA says all operators have temporarily suspended South Korea tours.
The association advises all tours currently in-country to take extra precautions and avoid infection-hotspot areas, as well as stay away from crowded areas where possible.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, there are about 200,000 Vietnamese currently studying or working in South Korea.
The virus has killed 12 and infected more than 1,200 there.
Meanwhile, Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said travellers from countries that have experienced a Covid-19 outbreak will not be granted entry into the country.
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive
Euromonitor International unveils world’s top 100 city destinations for 2025
U.S.A. and Israel attacks on Iran impact air movements in the Gulf (Update 1.00pm CET)
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism