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EN
A spring trip to the Middle East is supposed to be a luxurious dream with skyscrapers and golden deserts, but an unexpected incident on February 28th turned the holiday into a test of patience. With regional airspace tightened due to complex conflict developments, Dubai, the world's busiest transit hub, and Jordan suddenly became "unwilling stops" for hundreds of Vietnamese tourists.
With regional airspace tightened due to ongoing conflict, Dubai and Jordan unexpectedly became "unwilling stops" for hundreds of Vietnamese tourists.
Days of anxiety in Dubai
Amidst the constant cancellations and route changes by airlines to ensure safety, feelings of panic are inevitable. However, instead of chaos, the Vietnamese tour group maintained an optimistic spirit.
Travel blogger Ly Thanh Co, one of the tourists stranded in Jordan, breathed a sigh of relief upon returning to Vietnam. Sharing with Travellive, Thanh Co said he had experienced "one-of-a-kind" moments in the Wadi Rum desert.
Travel blogger Ly Thanh Co, one of the tourists stranded in Jordan, breathed a sigh of relief upon returning to Vietnam.
"This wasn't my first time traveling, but it was the first time I truly felt how geopolitical instability directly impacted my personal journey. I received information that my flight in Dubai was being repeatedly delayed. I felt quite uncertain at the time because news about the conflict was flooding social media," the male travel blogger said.
Mr. Hoang Minh (32 years old, Ho Chi Minh City), a tourist who went to Dubai for both sightseeing and market research, said he experienced having his flight delayed twice in a row.
According to Minh, traveling alone meant he had to handle all the ticket changes himself, working directly with the airline and hotel. “The hotel helped extend my stay, but I had to factor in the extra costs. My mental state was also affected because I was constantly monitoring the war news and flight schedules. Every time I received an email from the airline, I was anxious to see if there were any changes,” he said.
Unlike tour groups organized by tour companies, independent travelers must proactively update information from multiple sources. Minh said he joined a Vietnamese community group in the UAE to exchange information, share experiences on changing tickets, and find out about available flights.
"I think what worries many people isn't necessarily instability in Dubai, because life here is still normal. The worry lies in the region's airspace, where just one announcement of a change in weather could disrupt the entire itinerary," he added.
Meanwhile, Hong Hanh (living in Abu Dhabi, UAE) said she started feeling uneasy after hearing many news reports about the tightening of airspace in the region. “During the day everything is normal, but at night, every time I hear the sound of planes in the sky, I jump. Before, that was a familiar sound in a major transit city, but lately I’ve been much more sensitive,” she said.
The urgent announcement from the UAE government has caused some concern for Ms. Hong Hanh.
According to Ms. Hanh, her family in Vietnam constantly calls to check on her and update her on the situation. “My parents keep asking when I’m coming home and if I can change my ticket earlier. Hearing their worried voices, I feel anxious too. I just hope things settle down soon so I can book a flight home and have peace of mind,” she shared.
Although she didn't witness any direct disturbances at her residence, Ms. Hanh believes the feeling of being "trapped" stems from not knowing exactly what might happen next. "Even in a modern place like the UAE, there are times when I just want to get home as soon as possible. Being far away makes you realize how important 'safety' is," she added.
"I will return to Dubai, but when things are more peaceful."
Returning from their eventful trip, most tourists reported maintaining a positive impression of Dubai in particular and the UAE in general. For many, the professionalism of the service system and the way the relevant parties handled situations were major plus points.
According to Nhật Minh, this incident serves as a lesson in risk management in the tourism industry. "Tourism always has an element of surprise, especially when it involves areas with complex geopolitical factors. The important thing is how businesses and tourists respond to such situations," he stated.
Dubai – a prominent tourist destination in the Middle East, boasting iconic landmarks and luxurious experiences.
He stated that throughout the waiting period, the hotel and its local partners maintained stable service, with no overcrowding or shortages of essential supplies.
"Dubai still functions as a true global metropolis. But clearly, when regional airspace is restricted for security reasons, the aviation industry is the first to be impacted," he said.
Returning to Vietnam on the afternoon of March 4th, Ly Thanh Co happily rushed to his mother's house to share the news. “My mother went to the temple and prayed during the days I was stranded in the Middle East. For me, the Middle East is a country with many magnificent natural wonders to explore. I still want to return to Dubai or Jordan another time, when things are more peaceful,” Ly Thanh Co shared.
Despite the geopolitical instability affecting the Middle Eastern tourism market, this event also demonstrates the quick response and professional risk management capabilities of Vietnamese travel agencies and international airlines, giving tourists greater peace of mind on their future journeys to explore the world.
