Sa Pa, Ha Giang struggle to get tourists amid weather concerns

Some food service establishments have temporarily closed as their income can no longer cover operating costs while others have been forced to lay off staff.

Nguyen Quang Huy, who owns an accommodation facility in Ha Giang City, said the lack of guests has persisted for over a month, with only a few foreign visitors staying.

"Guests who canceled or rescheduled their bookings in September due to the impacts of Typhoon Yagi have not yet returned."

The owner of a guesthouse in Sa Pa said: "Even with discounts ranging from 20% to 50%, bookings are scarce."

Pham Cao Vy, chairman of the Lao Cai Tourism Association, acknowledged the difficulties facing the local tourism industry.

He said the occupancy rate in Sa Pa dropped by 85% from a year earlier in September.

Nguyen Duc Kien, owner of the town's Con Sui restaurant, said he is trying to keep it open despite revenues falling by over 50% to ensure his workers keep their jobs.

Popular tourist spots in Sa Pa such as Cat Cat Village and Rong May Glass Bridge are also suffering from a decline in visitor numbers in October.

Sa Pa, Ha Giang and Yen Bai Province are typically famous for their golden rice terraces during this time of the year.

Nguyen Trung Kien, a representative of the Cat Cat tourist area, said news of landslides has triggered a domino effect, affecting the entire tourism industry.

Lao Cai Province, home to Sa Pa, had 14 landslides in September and Ha Giang had two severe ones.

Landslide in Ma Pi Leng Pass area on Oct. 1, 2024. Photo by Manh Tour

Minh Tan, 33, of HCMC had planned a family trip to Ha Giang in mid-October to visit the rice fields in Hoang Su Phi District and explore the Nho Que River and Tu San Alley.

But after a landslide in Bac Quang District on Oct. 1, he canceled the trip.

Dang Quoc Su, director of the Ha Giang Tourism Promotion Center, said the sluggish tourism recovery is largely due to tourists' apprehensions due to the landslides.

One month after the typhoon in early September most accommodation and food establishments in Sa Pa and Ha Giang had restored their facilities in preparation for the resumption of tourism, but the unpredictable weather remains a hindrance to that.

"We hope the local tourism industry will recover in the last two months of the year," Vy added.