Tourism in northern mountainous areas hit hard by Typhoon Yagi

An aerial view of Mù Cang Chải terraced fields in Yên Bái Province, before the storm struck northern Việt Nam. — VNA/VNS Photo Tuấn Anh

September is the most beautiful time in northern mountainous provinces like Yên Bái, Hà Giang, and Lào Cai, when terraced fields shimmer with golden ripening rice, attracting many tourists to admire the breathtaking scenery.

However, the storm that struck northern Việt Nam last Saturday has not only claimed more than 200 lives and left many missing, it has caused severe damage and hurt local tourism.

Many tourists, despite having booked tours a month in advance and purchased plane tickets, cancelled their trips to northern destinations like Mù Cang Chải and Tà Xùa to avoid dangerous storms and landslides.

Nguyễn Lan Anh and five of her friends, Vietnamese expatriates working in Japan, planned a three-day tour last weekend to admire the rice terraces in Hoàng Su Phì District in the northern province of Hà Giang, during their two-week return to Việt Nam.

However, they have received an announcement from the travel agency about the cancellation of their trip due to severe flooding and landslides in the area after the storm. The tour will be rescheduled when the situation stabilises and local accommodation can welcome back guests.

Anh said: “I felt saddened when seeing the images of the devastation caused by the natural disasters. I am also moved by the timely support of people across the country towards the people of Yên Bái, Thái Nguyên, and Lào Cai in recent days.

“If I miss the chance to explore Hà Giang this time, I will go on my next visit home. Safety is still the top priority,” she told Dân Trí newspaper.

A landslide in Hoàng Su Phì District in Hà Giang Province. — Photo dantri.com.vn

Tour operators have also cancelled trips to Mù Cang Chải District in the northern province of Yên Bái and Tà Xùa Commune in the northern province of Sơn La – top destinations in the northern mountainous region this September – to ensure the safety of travellers.

Trang Phạm, a representative of Trang Du Hí Tour, canceled a trip to Mù Cang Chải for 38 customers last week. This week, she had to announce the cancellation of tours to both Mù Cang Chải and Tà Xùa for 57 customers due to flash floods and landslides.

The roads from Hà Nội to Mù Cang Chải are now restricted and following the tragic bridge collapse in the northern province of Phú Thọ, several crossings have been blocked, preventing access.

"In my three years in the tourism industry, this is the first time I've had to cancel five tours in a month," she said.

According to Trang, Mù Cang Chải only enjoys one or two months of peak tourist season across the whole year. Therefore, to secure rooms for guests, her company must book accommodation three months in advance. However, when the storms and floods hit, safety is the top priority.

Trang informed her customers about the postponement of the tours and encouraged them to reschedule. In cases where customers cannot rearrange their plans, her company will fully refund their deposits.

“Some of my customers arranged their work a month in advance and some groups had booked their trips since early August for this week. There are also customers flying from HCM City to Hà Nội who now have to explore the capital instead. However, everyone understands the situation and supports us,” she added.

A landslide in Mù Cang Chải District in Yên Bái Province. — Photo dantri.com.vn

Another tour operator, Bùi Quân Dân, has posted an announcement to temporarily suspend all tours in the northern region and areas affected by storm Yagi.

“We will welcome customers back once the weather stabilises, the locations are restored and it is critical to ensure that travellers have the best experience during their trip," he wrote on his Facebook page.

The operator said his company has postponed tours for over 80 customers this week because destinations such as Y Tý, Hoàng Su Phì, Tà Xùa, and Mù Cang Chải are all at high risk of either severe landslides or not accessible.

Severe landslides bury terraced fields in Hòa Sử Pán 1 Village, Mường Hoa Commune, Sa Pa Town in Lào Cai Province, after Yagi storm. — VNA/VNS Photo

Nguyễn Quyết, director of AHA Travel_Event, agreed that the cancellation of tours to such affected areas are necessary to ensure safety to tourists.

“Many of my customers have informed me that they are postponing or canceling their tours to save money to support those affected by the floods. Quite a few are also volunteering to provide aid in Yên Bái and Thái Nguyên – areas severely hit by the floods. This is truly commendable. I hope our fellow citizens can overcome this hardship together,” he told Dân Trí newspaper.