Vietnamese tourists are ‘holding their breath’ waiting to go abroad during Tet because of worries about the Nipah virus

“We have not recorded a case of a customer requesting to cancel an international tour during the Lunar New Year, but we have also received a number of calls asking about the epidemic situation related to the Nipah virus,” said General Director of Trang An Travel Nguyen Huu Cuong.

During the Lunar New Year, the number of tourists booking tours to countries that need to apply for a visa early is almost full. The number of tourists buying tours to India at some Vietnamese travel companies increased by 10-20% compared to the same period last year, because the 9-day Tet holiday schedule is suitable for the long journey to India (7 days 6 nights).

Tran Ngoc Hong Nhung, 35 years old, living in Ho Chi Minh City, said he transferred the deposit for the tour to India last month and is “very excited to celebrate the New Year abroad” with his parents and brother and his wife.

Hearing about the Nipah virus, Nhung was worried but did not think about canceling. Since childhood, she was passionate about storybooks One thousand and one nightswhich describes life in the Middle East and South Asia. Coming to India this time, for Nhung, is fulfilling her childhood dream.

The female tourist said she had experience experiencing the Covid-19 pandemic so she actively went online to search for information about this epidemic. She also read recommendations from the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) of other countries and the World Health Organization (WHO), understanding that the Nipah virus is potentially fatal but not easily transmitted.

Nipah virus belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family, and is not spread through respiratory droplets like covid-19. The majority of infections are due to direct contact with patients, consumption of fresh foods containing the virus or close contact with urine and body fluids of infected hosts (mainly fruit bats). Some other possible intermediate hosts include pigs, horses, cats, goats and sheep.

In the latest announcement in September 2025, WHO said that the Nipah virus epidemic is currently not enough basis to impose restrictions on international travel or trade. To date, no country has announced a travel ban on tourists related to this epidemic. However, health officials advise people traveling to epidemic areas in South Asia (India) and Southeast Asia to follow official health and travel recommendations and take preventive steps.

Deputy General Director of Viet Tourism Company Pham Anh Vu said that the fear of the Nipah virus could affect a small number of outbound tours (international Vietnamese tourists), causing them to cancel tours or have a psychological impact when traveling. Currently, his company and some units have not yet recorded any cases of tour cancellations due to the low number of tourists going to India during the Lunar New Year.

“Many companies do not even open tours for Tet 2026,” Mr. Vu said.

Director of Marketing and Communications of Vietluxtour travel company Tran Thi Bao Thu said that cases of Nipah virus infection are currently recorded locally in the states of Kerala and West Bengal. Meanwhile, the traditional tour routes that Vietnamese tourists choose to take are mainly concentrated in the “golden triangle” area of ​​New Delhi – Agra – Jaipur in the North or the Tu Dong Tam pilgrimage routes (Bodh Gaya – Varanasi). The distance between the epidemic area and the tourist attractions is 2,500 km, so the tour schedule is considered “safe and isolated”.

Ms. Thu commented that after the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnamese tourists have better psychological “resistance” and stronger travel knowledge. Customers today are very knowledgeable, they know how to filter information and understand the “localized” nature of the epidemic instead of panicking. Her company has not recorded any cases of tour cancellations or delays due to the Nipah virus with groups departing next month.

Visitors to India are usually aged 40-55 or older, choosing to go to spiritual Buddhist destinations such as Varanasi, the Ganges River or the “golden triangle” area of ​​New Delhi – Jaipur – Arga. Young travelers are often interested in more vibrant Northeast Asia or Southeast Asia destinations. The number of Vietnamese tourists going to India increases steadily by 10-15% annually but it is not the top market attracting tourists.

Other destinations in Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia still grow steadily and are not affected. Ms. Dao Mai Dung, Deputy Director of Nam Thanh Travel tourism company, said that the Nipah virus outbreak was recorded in India. Meanwhile, the majority of Vietnamese tourists choose Northeast Asian tours such as China, Korea, and Japan – destinations far away from epidemic areas – so the number of tourists wanting to postpone or cancel the tour has not been recorded.

However, in forums and travel groups, Vietnamese tourists traveling on their own began to have confusion about “going or not going”. Many people are worried but are still determined to travel because they have already bought tickets and booked rooms. The rest said they were “holding their breath” and had not made a decision right away but wanted to wait for more guidance from reputable domestic and foreign medical organizations.

Travel companies have not been much affected by the Nipah virus epidemic but still have plans to cope because they are “familiar with similar situations during the Covid-19 period”.

Ms. Bao Thu, Vietluxtour, said travel agencies will continuously update safety announcements from partners at destinations, especially in places with epidemics like India. In addition, the tour guides are retrained in epidemiological hygiene procedures to be able to promptly respond to situations that arise when leading guests on tours.

“Now I can only hold my breath and wait and pray that the epidemic will soon end,” said Hong Nhung, a female tourist from Ho Chi Minh City.