Peak tourist season from April 30th to May 1st: Lao Cai reaches 540,000 visitors.

From North to South, this year's holiday tourism season is notable for its significant increase in visitor numbers and vibrant festive atmosphere in many provinces and cities, thus bringing optimistic signs for the country's tourism industry.

The four-day holiday from April 30th to May 1st has created a strong wave of tourism across the country. From solemn historical sites in Hanoi, the highland villages of Lao Cai, the vast forests of Mang Den, to the beaches and entertainment areas in Ho Chi Minh City, millions of people and tourists have chosen this occasion to explore, experience, and immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the "National Reunification Day."

The pedestrian area in front of Trang Tien Plaza ( Hanoi ) was packed with people.

In Ho Chi Minh City, crowds of locals and tourists lined up to buy tickets to visit the Reunification Hall, a historical site associated with the victory of April 30, 1975.

Hanoi is vibrant and bustling, from its historical sites to its streets.

From the very beginning of the holiday, Hanoi affirmed its position as the top choice for both domestic and international tourists. At the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the number of people visiting to pay their respects increased significantly from dawn on April 30th. According to data from the Mausoleum Command, the morning of April 30th alone welcomed 20,080 visitors, including more than 4,000 international tourists, reflecting the special appeal of this landmark not only to Vietnamese people.

To support people during peak hours, the Mausoleum Command, in coordination with the Hanoi Department of Tourism, distributed 45,000 gift packages containing cool water, bread, and milk throughout the holiday.

Many Hanoi residents and tourists from all over took advantage of this opportunity to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. There, they were welcomed with light meals including drinks, bread, and milk.

At the Temple of Literature - National University, a constant stream of visitors flows in. Besides those who come to learn about history, many young people choose this as a "check-in" spot, dressed in traditional ao dai and shirts with the Vietnamese flag, creating beautiful images that are widely shared on social media.

Children wearing red shirts with yellow stars visit the Temple of Literature.

The Vietnam Military History Museum and the Hanoi Museum also recorded a surge in visitors. Not only historical sites, but also food streets like Ta Hien, Hang Buom, and Dong Xuan Market were bustling from evening until late at night with typical Hanoi dishes: pho, bun cha, nem ran…

The trend of eco-tourism and on-site camping is also on the rise. Large parks such as Yen So, Thong Nhat, Thu Le, and Bach Thao have become ideal destinations for families and groups of young people to camp and enjoy nature right in the heart of the capital. The Vietnam Ethnic Culture and Tourism Village is also a prominent highlight, vividly recreating the cultural life of 54 ethnic groups through traditional festivals, cultural exchanges, and folk games.

People in Hanoi stroll in the cool, green space around Hoan Kiem Lake.

According to the Hanoi Department of Tourism, security, environmental hygiene, and traffic management were implemented synchronously by the relevant authorities, ensuring that activities took place safely and smoothly despite the high number of visitors.

Lao Cai welcomed 540,000 visitors, with estimated revenue reaching 1,250 billion VND.

According to statistics as of 10:00 AM on May 1st, the number of tourists visiting Lao Cai province during the holiday period is estimated at 540,000, an increase of 19.5% compared to the same period in 2025. Total revenue from tourism is estimated at 1,250 billion VND, an increase of 15% compared to last year.

Of these, Sa Pa ward continued to lead with approximately 182,000 visitors. On April 30 alone, it welcomed 65,000 visitors, equivalent to an entire small city flocking to Sa Pa in just one day. Lao Cai ward received around 80,000 visitors; Bac Ha commune 34,000; Nghia Lo ward 25,000; and Mu Cang Chai commune 24,000. These figures reflect the spread of tourists to more diverse highland destinations.

Fansipan peak is adorned with flags and flowers, ready to welcome visitors. Photo: Bich Hue - Ngoc Duong.

In Mu Cang Chai, tourists enthusiastically experience paragliding to admire the terraced rice fields during the water-filling season. Photo: Tran Minh.

It is noteworthy that despite the sharp increase in visitors, overcrowding at tourist areas and attractions did not occur. Room rates and basic services remained stable; there were no reports of price gouging or unfair pricing practices, demonstrating the thorough preparation of businesses and local authorities.

Mang Den opens a night festival amidst the vast forest, with rooms fully booked a month in advance.

The Mang Den tourist area (Quang Ngai) has unexpectedly become a captivating destination for visitors during this holiday. On the evening of April 30th, thousands of people gathered at Mang Den Square to enjoy the art program "Mang Den - Aspiration for Further Development," considered the biggest event ever held in this region.

The program was divided into three chapters: "Mang Den - Love of the Land and People," "Melodies of Pride," and "Mang Den - Aspiration for Greater Heights." From the resonant sounds of gongs and drums, the distinctive Central Highlands dance, to modern and youthful performances, everything culminated in a dazzling fireworks display amidst the vast forest, leaving many visitors in awe.

The art program "Mang Den - Aspiration to Reach Further" is considered the biggest event ever held in this region.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, a tourist attending the event, shared: "I stayed in Mang Den for two nights. This time, encountering this program was fantastic because opportunities like this don't come around often. I really love this place and come here about 5 to 6 times a year. This time, I had to book a room a month in advance; if I went closer to the date, there wouldn't be any rooms left."

During the holiday season, Mang Den organizes 12 tourism events, including street festivals, night markets, culinary spaces, community tourism, and motorcycle parades. Most accommodations in the town center are fully booked, with many tourists having to reserve rooms months in advance. Not only vibrant at night, Mang Den retains its romantic and cool charm during the day, with natural attractions such as Pa Sy Waterfall, Dak Ke Lake, and a strawberry-picking experience area.

Ho Chi Minh City, from the inner city to the outskirts, has been completely overwhelmed.

In the atmosphere of celebrating the 51st anniversary of the National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 - April 30, 2026), the Reunification Hall became the focal point of Ho Chi Minh City. From early morning on April 30, the main entrance area attracted a large number of visitors, with many people queuing to enter at various times.

According to observations, the visitors are extremely diverse, ranging from city residents and student groups to local and international tourists. Many families choose the Reunification Hall as a destination for educating the younger generation about historical traditions.

The joy of the veterans as they revisit the Independence Palace (Reunification Hall) historical site.

At Suoi Tien Cultural Tourist Area and Saigon Zoo, the number of visitors surged from early morning. A characteristic image of this year's holiday was families, groups of friends, and international tourists wearing red shirts with yellow stars, holding Vietnamese flags, and taking photos, creating a vibrant atmosphere full of national pride.

Foreign tourists wearing shirts with the red flag and yellow star emblem mingled with the crowds of Ho Chi Minh City residents enjoying the festival.

A highlight at the zoo was the special "wedding" event of the giraffe pair Thao Em and Phi Phi, attracting many families with young children and conveying a meaningful message about nature conservation and wildlife preservation.

Vung Tau ward, in particular, once again faced a "crisis" during the holiday. According to the Vung Tau Ward Public Service Center, on April 30 alone, the ward received approximately 70,000 visitors, a number that placed immense pressure on the coastal urban infrastructure.

At the beaches around Thuy Van Park and the Hoang Hoa Tham intersection, crowds of people packed the water and the embankment, leaving almost no space. The main Thuy Van road was constantly congested, with lines of cars stretching for kilometers. Check-in spots like Tam Thang Tower were also unusually crowded.

Many locals and tourists are swimming at the beach in Vung Tau.

Vehicles are lined up bumper-to-bumper on the streets of Vung Tau.

Due to overcrowding, Vung Tau ward deployed 100% of its personnel on duty. Rescue teams were continuously stationed at the beaches, using loudspeakers to remind tourists to stay away from rip currents and dangerous areas. Previously, Ho Chi Minh City also planned to divert traffic from afar and tighten urban environmental sanitation management to ensure clean, beautiful, and safe beaches throughout the holiday.

Looking at the overall picture, the April 30th - May 1st holiday continues to be clear evidence of the strong resilience of Vietnamese tourism. Tourist numbers increased at most destinations, services were well-managed, and a festive atmosphere spread widely. All of this is sending optimistic signals for a promising summer tourism season ahead.

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Source: https://baolaocai.vn/cao-diem-du-lich-304-015-lao-cai-dat-540000-luot-khach-post898923.html