Conquering Fansipan Mountain, located nine kilometers from Sapa, is not as easy as some may say. It requires of would be conquerors great strength and

Budget tours are proving more attractive to young people and others with little discretionary income this summer.

Nimbus Tourist, for example, is advertising a 12-day tour from Nha Trang to Lang Son Province on the Chinese-Vietnamese border for VND3.7mil (US$231).

"I don't have much money. I've bought a tour with Nimbus Tourist and I'll go with my three friends," Nguyen Bich Nga, a primary school teacher, said.

Tour costs vary with the length of the journey and services offered by tour operators. The Nimbus tour is by bus and travellers will sleep four in a room.

"I can see scenic landscapes on the way, although it is slower," Nga said.

Nimbus Tourist's first budget tour this summer from HCM City to Lang Son Province will begin June 2.

The 13-day tour will take travellers to Nha Trang, the central province of Tuy Hoa, the imperial city of Hue, the historic town of Hoi An and Hanoi.

During the tour, tourists will be guided to several well-known landscapes of the country including Phong Nha cave in Quang Binh Province and Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh Province.

"The tours are long and by bus so these are better for younger people," a tour guide said.

Tourists with Carnival Tourism can pay by instalment, 50% of the tour price in advance and the remainder can be paid in instalment over three months with no interest.

The length of Carnival's tours are from five to six days, from HCM City to Da Nang, Hue and Hoi An, for VND3mil ($187).

Big companies like Vietravel, Fiditour and Saigontourism are offering summer tours with discounts of 30 to 60%.

Many young people in HCM City opt to travel independently by going in groups, using cheap transport and eating at budget restaurants. For only VND300,000 ($19), they can enjoy three days at a Mui Ne resort.

Bike tours are also gaining popularity among students and young people.

"Bike tours to orchards in Binh Duong Province and Bien Hoa, which are about 30 km from HCM City, are the most popular destinations," Tran Manh Cuong, a second-year student of HCM City Open University, said.

Resorts cut prices

Several resorts with international standards in central Vietnam, including Furama, Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spa, Victoria Hoi An and Palm Garden, have cut prices by 30-50% for two years in a bid to attract well-heeled locals.

Like last year, the price of a room for two at the Hoi An Riverside Resort & Spa will fall to $20 for Vietnamese tourists during July, June and August. Foreigners must pay $139, the going rate.

"With this price, many domestic tourists will spend their summer holidays with us," Sonny Son, executive manager of the resort, said.

Source Vietnamnet