After Quang Ninh increased the prices of Ha Long Bay tours and Thua Thien-Hue increased entrance fees for cultural sites in Hue, other provinces frequented by tourists have also followed suit.

Ha Noi recently raised admission fees at tourism sites and ticket prices for water puppet shows.

The hikes have delivered a blow to tour operators, Cao Tri Dung, director of Vitours, said. He said entrance to Ha Noi's popular tourism sites were up by VND30,000 per person, while water puppet show ticket prices were 30 per cent higher.

Nguyen Minh Quyen, deputy director of the HCMC-based Ben Thanh Tourist, said his company earned little profit in the current economic situation but had to use part of it to deal with such sudden rises in admission fees. Since his company got payment from customers in advance, it was impossible to change prices subsequently, he explained. — VNS