HCM CITY (VNS) — More than 35,600 passengers bought budget tours in the third quarter, taking the number during the year to over 100,000, almost double the previous year's.

The tours are sold as part of a domestic tourism stimulation programme organised jointly by Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Jetstar, Vasco and HCM City's Tourism Association.

The carriers cut fares to popular tourism destinations like Phu Quoc, Con Dao, Nha Trang, Da Lat, and Hue to enable travel firms to design the cheap tours, which are 20-40 per cent cheaper than normal. — VNS