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Caravanning is a type of travel using personal vehicles in groups of two or more cars, traveling by road through various regions or countries. Globally, caravanning has existed for about 20 years, particularly popular in Europe and North America. Although relatively new to Vietnam, caravanning is becoming increasingly popular as more people own their own cars, are passionate about travel, and want to experience driving on new roads.
Safety comes first.
Recent surveys from Booking.com reflect the preferences of Vietnamese travelers in the new context. According to these surveys, 75% of travelers consider safety while traveling a top priority; 42% of Vietnamese people will choose alternative destinations to avoid crowded areas. Furthermore, 50% of Vietnamese travelers surveyed indicated they would forgo public transportation to avoid sharing rides with others. Instead, they would opt to rent a car or use their own vehicle for self-driving.
According to Mr. Truong Duc Hai, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hon Ngoc Vien Dong Company (a company specializing in organizing caravan trips in Ho Chi Minh City), caravan tours are becoming increasingly popular after the Covid-19 pandemic. To avoid crowded places and limit public transportation, traveling by private vehicle is a superior choice, ensuring health safety and disease prevention, while also fitting the trend of small group and family travel.
Furthermore, caravan tours always prioritize traffic safety. The convoy is organized in a disciplined manner, and participants must adhere to specific rules. Discipline and teamwork to ensure overall safety are also the "special features" of caravan tourism, creating a unique and exciting experience compared to other types of tourism.
Mr. Phung Gia Tuan, representative of Caravan Vietnam Tourism and Communication Services Company, said: “For safety, the caravan organizer must know how to distribute and arrange vehicles, as well as inexperienced drivers unfamiliar with the terrain, into safe positions, with them being escorted ahead and behind to ensure their safety while traveling and to prevent disruption of the connection between vehicles. The group leader will regulate the distance between vehicles, ensuring they are not too close. The distance between vehicles will depend on whether the location is in an urban area or on a highway, and the weather conditions (sun, rain, fog, or mountain passes). Each trip must control the number of members and vehicles, avoiding organizing too many vehicles and not operating in unsafe conditions. All participating vehicles are advised and required to undergo thorough maintenance and inspection before setting off.”
In addition, the organizers always have equipment available to assist with vehicle repairs and basic first aid, and always have contingency plans in place to provide necessary support in case of emergencies; they also conduct multiple advance visits to understand changes related to roads and local traffic regulations in order to provide solutions or information to tourists so they can comply with or adjust accordingly for safety.
Towards new values
Mr. Tran Van Ngoc, Director of Phong Ha Services Co., Ltd., commented that after Covid-19, tourists have higher demands for travel experiences, not just purely sightseeing, eating, and having fun, but also seeking valuable and meaningful experiences and participating in contributing to the community at the destination.
Caravans, with their small and flexible vehicles, easily transport tourists to remote areas that are difficult to access with larger tour buses. This advantage allows tourists to reach new, lesser-known destinations, have unique experiences, and combine their trips with charitable activities and cultural exploration—activities often absent in mass tours.
To meet the demands of tourists, caravan tours are now being enhanced by tourism businesses with many new experiences and activities. For example, in 2020, the "Return to Central Vietnam" caravan program took tourists to do volunteer work in areas that had just suffered damage from the historic floods. The "Western Nghe An" caravan combined trekking to conquer the Pu Xai Lai Leng peak, visiting border guard posts and giving gifts to the poor. The "Northwest Ban Flower Season Caravan" highlighted challenging mountain passes, experiences in the terraced rice fields of Mu Cang Chai, the tea hills of Lai Chau, and cloud hunting in Ta Xua… In addition, caravan trips always have a team of professional videographers and photographers to capture beautiful and meaningful moments for tourists throughout the journey.
In the southern region, some of the most attractive caravan routes include a 7-day journey through 13 provinces of the Mekong Delta, exploring the southwestern border patrol route, and the "From the mountains to the sea" route connecting Ho Chi Minh City - Dak Nong - Dak Lak - Binh Thuan… Mr. Truong Duc Hai said: "Every season has its own beauty to explore. The routes are designed differently, the scenery is different in each place, and the rest stops and photo spots are always changing, making the trip much more interesting than following a fixed route in regular tours."
Recently, the "VGreen Caravan Northwest - Blooming Season" tour took visitors to learn about the life of prehistoric people at Xom Trai Cave (Hoa Binh) - one of the most important relics, typical of the ancient Hoa Binh culture; or experience transporting food to the battlefield during the Dien Bien Phu campaign at Pha Din Pass (Dien Bien). Mr. Phung Quang Thang - Chairman of the VGreen Sustainable Tourism Club, said that the highlight of this new tourism product is the clever integration of culture and experiences into the caravan type of tourism, making it easier for visitors to absorb and appreciate.
Overall, joining a professional caravan makes the trip smoother and more convenient, allowing tourists to focus on driving and exploring the route without worrying about other issues. "With the professional organization of travel agencies, tourists don't waste time researching routes, booking hotels, or arranging meals… Services are guaranteed, and guides will help tourists experience and explore," Mr. Thang added.
