Why must we go to the sea in summer and climb a mountain in winter? Why only on Tet Holiday do we think about relaxing and travelling? During high season, we must fight against the crowds and fear being charged with high prices. Even after the journey, you wish you’d stayed at home and watched TV. It is much better than travelling and getting exhausted. The solution to this is off-season travel – which has become the choice of many people. Here’s why going against travel trends is a perfect choice.
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Why should you travel off-season?
Travel is time for you to relax, not be fighting against crowds. However, at some well-known destinations, such as islands in the summer, rushing through crowds is unavoidable in the high seasons. If you travel off-season, your trip will be perfect as you walk along the quiet beach, feel the peaceful, ordinary life at the place you’ve come, instead of hustling on the beach with a lot of people – such as last July in Sam Son Beach, Thanh Hoa. In the middle of high tourist season, Sam Son welcomes about 70,000 people, mobilises 10,000 labourers, and fills up 15,000 guest rooms. Imagine – from day to night, the beach here is always crowded with visitors. Vung Tau, Nha Trang, and other destinations are no exception.
Meanwhile, travel expense during off-season is only half that of the high season, with more efficient services. Moreover, airlines, hotels, resorts and travel agents often have great promotions to compete for and attract a smaller amount of tourists. Vu Thuy Linh of Hanoi, age 27, has just boasted to her friends that she booked a flight ticket for 2.5 million VND for a three-person family. In addition, because it is not high season, hotel rooms are guaranteed for early check-in and late check-out in accordance with flight times. Flight routes with expensive fares, such as 3 to 3.5 million VND from Hanoi to Phu Quoc at the beginning of the year, are now available for 1.5 to 2 million VND.
In addition to the benefits of price and service, off-season travel brings many exceptional and interesting experiences. Sometimes the high season is not the most beautiful season of certain destinations. Such is the case with Phu Quoc Island: the most ideal time for travelling there is from the end of October to April. During this time, Phu Quoc Island is in dry season, with blue skies, golden sunshine, and a peaceful ocean. Even though summer is the rainy season on Phu Quoc Island, the number of visitors is higher, and the price for rooms and flights increases. Therefore, instead of travelling in the summer, you could visit Phu Quoc Island in the winter or at the beginning of spring to admire the beauty of the nation’s Jade Island.
Things you need to know when you travel off-season
♦ Pick a suitable time. When you travel off-season, picking a suitable time is very important. To avoid risks with the weather, you should follow the weather forecast of the arrival destination to book trains and flight tickets accordingly. We do not need to travel when the weather is most ideal, but we also do want to avoid rain and storms. Bad weather conditions could make the journey difficult and dangerous and could lead to cancellations.
♦ Make a plan. After choosing your travel dates, you need to make a detailed plan as soon as possible. A detailed plan will help you prepare for accommodation, flight, train tickets, and departure dates. This makes your reservation process more convenient and economical. Moreover, the early planning will give you more opportunities to “hunt” for promotions of airfare, hotel rates, and travel agents, negotiate more beneficial accommodation conditions, and tour routes for the journey.
Suggestions for Off-Season Travel Destinations:
♥ Phu Quoc Island: For off-season travel to Phu Quoc Island, as we mentioned, October to April is the most beautiful season.
♥ Dalat: Go to Dalat after Tet Holiday (February, March, April) and when the high season of summer passes (November, December).
♥ Danang: Travel to Danang in spring (from December to February). At this time, the average temperature is between 18 to 23 degrees Celsius, with mild sunshine and cool wind.
♥ Sapa: Travel to Sapa at the beginning of the summer (from March to June). The weather is a little cold and a little sunny. Avoid travel on holidays or the days before Tet.
♥ Nha Trang: Travel to Nha Trang in summer and spring (from January to April). The high season for Nha Trang tourism is from June to September, so you should avoid these busy months. October and November is rainy season.
Van Ly | Wanderlust Tips | Cinet