Vietnam cancels tours to Egypt over violence concerns
Tourists ride camels in Egypt in this photo illustration.Tuoi Tre
Many major travel agencies in Vietnam have canceled or delayed tours to Egypt as violence is escalating in the Arab country. Saigontourist said it has delayed the departure time of an Egypt package until October, hoping the turmoil would end by that time. Fiditour meanwhile said it has temporarily stopped organizing new tours to Egypt after a 15-member tourist delegation returned safely from there in mid-July. Other tour organizers like Lien Bang Travelink, TST Tourist, and Ben Thanh Tourist have canceled tours to Egypt, while bookings at other companies are still available but there are no customers, Saigon Times reported. The delays and cancelations do not affect the business of these organizers as the Arab country is only a small market, the economic newswire commented. In a separate development, the Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt is making emergency plans to protect the safety of the Vietnamese community there, according to Vietnam News Agency. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has asked the embassy to be prepared to begin evacuations if necessary. VNA said some 79 Vietnamese citizens are currently working and studying in Egypt, including 24 public servants and their accompanying family members. TUOITRENEWS | 