Restaurant owners reduce from 20-30% of total bills for tourists stranded in Cat Ba to avoid storms

Room rates reduced, free until returning to the mainland

According to reporters' records on August 23-24, most of the remaining tourists on Cat Ba Island are people traveling by personal vehicles.

Being stranded on the island for 2 days now, Ms. Tran Khanh Linh (My Dinh ward, Hanoi) and a group of friends were supported by the accommodation facility owner to reduce room rates from 600,000 VND to 250,000 VND/room, and at the same time free of charge for arising stays until the group can return to the mainland.

Before I could express my intention, the hotel owner announced that the remaining days of stay would be free. Guests can also actively buy food and cook on the 1st floor of the hotel. Tonight, the homeowner will also buy more noodles to give to staying guests," Ms. Linh shared.

According to Ms. Linh, having to stay on the island is outside the plan, so the support of accommodation establishments helps tourists reduce costs incurred during the waiting time.

Due to the unusual path of storm No. 4, staying on the island is forecast to be prolonged. Because there is still a personal car, I cannot leave, park the car and wait for a safe day to return to pick it up. This is both a waste of effort, time, and additional costs," Ms. Linh assessed.

Some restaurants offer discounts up to 30%

Not only accommodation establishments, but also some food businesses on the island have also supported stranded tourists in recent days.

Mr. Hoang Cong Son - Owner of Thanh Son 1991 restaurant - said that every time a storm comes, the supply of essential goods on the island is often scarce, and the prices of goods can increase 2-3 times if the situation lasts for 3-7 days. Vegetables, tubers, fruits and other foods are all affected.

The price of a bunch of water spinach can be up to 40-50,000 VND/bundle. Fuel for vehicles is also limited, at times each vehicle is only allowed to fill up 50,000 VND/vehicle, because the fuel source has not reached the island," Mr. Son said.

However, before the storms are forecast, functional agencies in the special zone have proactively prepared and provided essential goods for people on the island. Usually, food sources are stored about a week to half a month in advance to ensure serving people during the storm.

According to Mr. Son, local people are used to proactively responding every time a storm comes. For unfortunate tourists stranded on the island, food costs may also increase according to the price of essential goods.

To support tourists stranded on the island, the store will reduce 20-30% on the total bill to accompany tourists during this time," Mr. Son expressed.

Before the storm comes, when there is a weather forecast, eateries and local people proactively prepare food to serve people and tourists stranded on the island," Mr. Son shared.