A family from Ho Chi Minh City traveled to Hue for a holiday during the September 2nd National Day.

Choose Hue for your holiday

After visiting historical sites in Hue, Mr. Ngo Hai An's family ( from Ha Tinh province ) stopped by Thuy Xuan incense village to experience and take photos. Mr. An said: "During the four-day holiday, I spent two days in Hue to 'collect' a beautiful photo album. In Hue, every tourist spot is beautiful for taking pictures, and the cost of travel services and food is not too high, so it's always a priority in my family's travel destination choices."

The trend among tourists during this year's National Day holiday is to travel independently, in family groups, using private cars and trains. Many tourists seek relaxation and opportunities to explore local culture and nature. A quick survey revealed that a large number of tourists came from neighboring provinces to Hue. Their itineraries often connect multiple destinations, especially Hue - Da Nang - Quang Nam, and most have a special affection for Hue.

Ms. Duong Thi My Lan, a tourist from Binh Dinh, shared: “I live in Quy Nhon, but we drove straight to Hue first, partly to make the return journey easier, and partly because everyone was eager to visit Hue. Our family has been to Hue many times before, but there are still many places we haven't explored. It seems that during holidays, when discussing travel plans, everyone in the family immediately thinks of Hue.”

Among the many visitors we had the chance to chat with, the most memorable was Mrs. Huynh Thi Kim (85 years old, from Ho Chi Minh City). Pushed around the Imperial Citadel in her wheelchair by her children and grandchildren, she was still very witty when talking about her trip. Mrs. Kim recounted: “I’ve had a loved one in Hue for almost 10 years, but only now, at 85 years old, have I had the chance to visit Hue. Hue is incredibly beautiful; the people are lovely, the scenery is charming, and it’s not noisy or hectic.”

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc, Director of the Department of Tourism, it is projected that during the five days from August 30th to September 3rd, the total number of tourists visiting Thua Thien Hue will reach 120,000 (a 22.4% increase compared to the same holiday period last year), with estimated revenue from tourism services reaching 132 billion VND.

The number of hotel guests is projected to increase by 31.3% compared to the September 2nd holiday in 2023, reaching 48,000, including approximately 16,500 international visitors (a 54.3% increase compared to the September 2nd holiday in 2023). According to pre-holiday booking statistics from the tourism industry, the average occupancy rate for hotels reached approximately 64%. Notably, on August 31st and September 1st, many accommodations achieved occupancy rates exceeding 80%. Guests tended to book rooms closer to the holiday date, resulting in higher occupancy rates compared to pre-holiday surveys. Most hotels in the center of Hue City, coastal resorts, lagoon and waterfall resorts, and homestays in Hue City, Phu Loc District, and A Luoi District were almost fully booked for August 31st and September 1st.

Bringing satisfaction to tourists.

According to the Director of the Department of Tourism, Nguyen Van Phuc, in order to stimulate tourism and attract visitors, various units and businesses have implemented appropriate stimulus policies. Particularly during the National Day holiday on September 2nd, from August 29th to September 3rd, the Vietnam Railway Corporation also offered discounted tickets for both group and individual travelers, leading to a significant increase in the number of tourists traveling to and from Hue by train. The Vietnam Railway Corporation also plans to receive approximately 13,000 passengers at Hue Station, with around 3,500 passengers already registered for the Hue - Da Nang Central Heritage Connection tourist train route during the holiday. Trains on this route were fully booked on August 31st and September 2nd. In addition, Phu Bai International Airport plans to receive 330 flights, transporting approximately 59,400 passengers.

A young couple from out of town wore Hue souvenir shirts to capture memorable moments while traveling in the ancient capital.

To serve tourists and provide enjoyable experiences during the holiday, various units have implemented policies and organized numerous activities for visitors to enjoy. Mr. Phuc cited examples such as Vietnamese tourists and local residents being exempt from entrance fees to Hue historical sites on September 2nd, 2024. The locality also organized several cultural and sporting activities for the local community and tourists: the 5th "Hue Jogging - Running for the Community" program starting on the morning of September 1st, 2024 at the Provincial Administrative Urban Area Square; the traditional provincial boat race on the Perfume River on the morning of September 2nd; and art performances along the Imperial Citadel pedestrian street on weekend nights.

Historical sites under the management of the Hue Imperial City Relics Conservation Center are also preparing ticket sales and visitor management plans at high-traffic areas, as well as arranging art performances and services for visitors. Resorts and hotels throughout the province offer on-site culinary experiences and traditional local handicrafts for tourists.

Many foreign tourists also visited Hue during the September 2nd holiday.

According to Ms. Le Thi Them, Head of the Culture and Information Department of A Luoi District, with the desire to attract tourists to this land in the majestic Truong Son mountain range and to offer unique tourism experiences with the local people's distinctive mountain tourism practices, A Luoi tourism is organizing many activities for visitors to enjoy during this year's National Day holiday on September 2nd. In particular, there will be a holiday market from 6 PM on August 30th to 11 PM on September 2nd, allowing locals and tourists to experience the local culture and purchase highland products.

Mr. Do Ngoc Co, Chairman of the Provincial Tourism Association, said that travel agencies are focusing on perfecting tourism products and tours during the holiday season to serve tourists in the most dedicated and thoughtful way. Depending on the needs of tourists, businesses provide tours that suit the itinerary and experiences preferred by customers, at a cost that is not significantly higher than on regular days. In particular, businesses are focusing on improving service quality, aiming for the highest level of satisfaction for tourists visiting Hue.

Text and photos: HUU PHUC