More local travel agencies are working on plans to develop caravan services in the ASEAN region, according to a latest report by the HCMC tourism authority.

For the first time, Huong Giang Travel has organized caravan tours to Thailand, which will depart from Hue next month. The first journey will start on the anniversary of Hung King’s Death on April 12. Guests will pass by Laos before going to Thailand.

The price for the package tour is US$364 per person for six days if tourists have their own cars.

In January, Vung Tau-based VTTours announced its first caravan tours to Madagui in Lam Dong Province for three days with the price at almost VND2 million per person.

Director of VTTours Tran Van Dung said this year his company would push caravan tours to places across the country and in Southeast Asia to satisfy the needs of tourists who own cars and have an adventurous spirit.

Meanwhile, TST Tourist aims to use caravan services for MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) in connection with charity activities. The company last year cooperated with the 2030 Businessmen Club under the Saigon Times Group to organize tours for the club’s members to Lam Dong and Binh Thuan provinces.

Nguyen Van My, Director of Lua Viet Travel, said “Caravan holidays require professional organizers because the group of cars need a team of motorbikes to guide them, a group of technicians to ensure the walkie-talkie system for members of the tours to listen to the guide, and a group of doctors who are responsible for taking care of the members’ health.”

My said this kind of tourism would develop in Vietnam as there is an increase in car ownership due to high incomes.

Recently, local travel firms have organized caravan tours to remote areas such as highland regions in the north of Vietnam and in Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.