Short trips rising in popularity during National Day holiday

About a month before the holiday, the travel market for National Day holiday has begun to heat up. Travel agencies report that tourists prefer short trips to nearby destinations with convenient travel routes and suitable recreational and relaxation options.

A representative from Saigontourist mentioned that the most popular domestic tours are those to Phu Quoc or beaches along the central coast, lasting 3-4 days at affordable prices.

During the National Day holiday, travellers are inclined to choose short trips to nearby destinations. (Photo: Tourists visiting Tam Coc site in Ninh Binh Province)

In northern mountainous regions, where the rice harvest season is approaching, destinations such as Mu Cang Chai, Lai Chau, Sa Pa, Dien Bien, and Moc Chau are also popular choices. These locations offer the chance to explore highland cultures and admire the picturesque terraced rice fields and stunning natural landscapes of Northwest Vietnam.

The domestic market continues to see a rise in self-guided travel, especially among families and private groups. Many companies are offering attractive packages that combine accommodation, transportation, and entertainment to meet traveller demands.

Notably, a significant portion of bookings for the National Day holiday still consists of international tours lasting 4-6 days, with popular destinations being Southeast Asian and Northeast Asian countries.

This result aligns closely with statistics from Booking.com, based on searches for accommodations during the holiday. According to this data, the top 10 international destinations of interest for Vietnamese travellers are all in the Asia-Pacific region. Leading the list is Bangkok (Thailand), followed by Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (the Republic of Korea), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Singapore, Hong Kong (China), Taipei (Taiwan, China), Sydney (Australia), Bali (Indonesia), and Chiang Mai (Thailand).

Meanwhile, leading the list of domestic destinations with the most searches is Da Lat, which is known for its cool, fresh climate, and tranquil and romantic scenery. Coastal cities such as Da Nang, Vung Tau, and Nha Trang and heritage-rich destinations like Hoi An, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hue continue to be popular. Also included in the top 10 are Sa Pa and, for the first time, Phan Thiet. These destinations reaffirm that Vietnamese travellers are increasingly interested in trips that offer a diverse range of experiences, combining exploration with relaxation.

Experts predicted that the tourism market for the National holiday will be lively but unlikely to experience a surge, as domestic travellers have just come out of a long summer travel season and are about to enter the autumn-winter travel period. Consequently, purchasing activity during this holiday is not expected to see significant fluctuations.

Tourists visiting Uncle Ho’s fishpond within the President Ho Chi Minh Relic Site at the Presidential Palace

To enhance the appeal of destinations, many localities are organising special events and activities to attract visitors. For instance, Da Nang is organising BRG Open Golf Championship Danang 2024, the traditional boat race VTV8 Cup, the “Rong-Rao” cultural and art exhibition, traditional music performances, and street magic along Han River.

Ho Chi Minh City is featuring an artistic fireworks display, street light decorations, and other events. Lao Cai Province is holding the Sa Pa Autumn Festival 2024, with highlights including the Mong Ethnic Culture Day, the “Muong Hoa Fairy Tales” circus show, the “Golden season of May Village” programme, and “Sa Pa Golden Season” tennis tournament.

According to the Hanoi Municipal Department of Tourism, nearly 20 events will be held in the capital city to attract tourists and serve local residents who are staying close to home. Notable events include the programme entitled “Ao dai connecting tourism with heritage in Hanoi” at the Thang Long - Hanoi Heritage Conservation Centre and various streets in the districts of Ba Dinh, Hoan Kiem, and Long Bien; free traditional puppet shows at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel; and the “Fairyland” festival at Bao Son Paradise.

To accommodate travel needs during the holiday, transportation options by road, sea, rail, and air will see increased frequencies. Despite rising airfares, travel routes are highly sought after. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, an estimated 4,257 flights will be operated during the four-day National Day holiday, averaging 840 flights per day. This represents a 3% increase compared to the week before the holiday and a 3.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

Specifically, flights connecting the three major cities of Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City are being heavily promoted by Vietnamese airlines, with an average of 241 flights per day, marking an 8% increase from the previous week and a 14.9% increase from the same period last year.