Friday, October 17, 2008

Motorbike tours take off


Motorbike tours may be the next big thing for Vietnam’s tour industry.


The tours are popular amongst those who wish to experience Vietnam at their own pace. They can drive themselves or ride pillion, touring places according to a pre-set itinerary or decided on the day.
Tourists on motorbike tours can stop wherever they choose to take pictures or to learn more about the locals’ daily life, culture and history.
Vietnamese travel agents such as Saigontourist and Fiditourist have recently started offering motorbike tours for foreign visitors and foreign companies in Vietnam. The travel agents’ guides, medical and safety staff often take the role of companions.
Saigontourist Travel Service Company, at 49 Le Thanh Ton Street in District 1, is one company that has organized many motorcycle tours.
The company’s 20-day Saffron tour, which attracted tourists from Australia, America and Ireland, was a big hit, creating many fond memories for the participants.
Saigontourist followed the Saffron tour with several more tours from HCMC to the north, central and Mekong Delta regions.
The tour company even made a journey throughout Southeast Asia for Yamaha Motors Vietnam. The trip started in Indonesia and took in Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam before finishing up in the Philippines.
Riders from Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Japan and Vietnam were recruited to chauffer the tourists.
Christiana Gombeh, a European tourist, said Vietnam had many strengths to draw on to develop this form of journey.
The beautiful scenes along the sea would charm every visitor, said Gombeh, who enjoyed a motorcycle tour through Vietnam.


Reported by Tien Dat

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