Tourism heats up as the holidays approach.

A week before the holiday, hotel bookings at popular destinations like Phu Quoc and Da Nang, as well as tours to escape the heat in Da Lat and Sa Pa, were already fully booked. Meanwhile, Ho Chi Minh City attracted visitors with its spectacular fireworks display, while Hanoi created its own unique atmosphere with meaningful music concerts and cultural festivals.

Many hotels are fully booked.

Observations at many key destinations show a significant increase in hotel occupancy rates during this year's holiday season compared to the same period last year. In Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, the mid-range and high-end segments recorded a marked increase in bookings, while tourist destinations such as Da Lat (Lam Dong), Da Nang, Phu Quoc (An Giang), and Sa Pa (Lao Cai) were all fully booked early.

Phu Quoc Airport has seen a surge in visitors since the beginning of the year.

PHOTO: LE NAM

Mr. Tan Thanh, residing in Thanh My Tay Ward (Ho Chi Minh City), went to Hanoi for the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day holiday, combining it with a music concert held from April 25-27. He booked a round-trip flight for 3.5 million VND in March, before the fluctuating fuel prices. He had a 2 million VND hotel voucher, so he booked one room in the Cau Giay area and another in Hung Yen. He said that because he planned ahead, he was able to secure cheaper accommodation; booking now would be very expensive, especially with so many people flocking to see the concert. "Before, the hotel cost only 600,000-700,000 VND including taxes and fees, but now it's 1 million VND per room at the cheapest," Mr. Thanh said.

Data from Agoda shows that coastal destinations are leading the trend in domestic tourism. Vung Tau (Ho Chi Minh City) recorded a 101% increase in searches compared to the same period last year, followed by Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa, 96%), Da Nang (89%), and Phan Thiet (Lam Dong, 72%). Da Lat is the only non-beach destination on the list, with a 45% increase thanks to its cool climate.

Western Bus Station during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day and April 30th holidays: Which day is the busiest?

The spectacular Fansipan Rose Festival at Sun World Fansipan Legend (Sa Pa, Lao Cai province) takes place from April 25th to May 3rd, covering an area of ​​approximately 50,000 m² with activities such as flower float parades, live shows, and interactive experiences. Visitors can combine this with a visit to the 3,143m high Fansipan peak by cable car, and enjoy performances in the Ban May area and the unique ethnic cultural space.

In Da Lat, a representative from Colline Dalat Hotel reported that the hotel is fully booked for both the Hung Kings Commemoration Day and the April 30th - May 1st holidays. Occupancy reached 100% early on, with family rooms being fully booked approximately a month in advance. Average room rates range from 2.2 to 2.3 million VND per night, while 2-3 bedroom apartments start from 4 million VND per night.

According to this unit, the temporary closure of Lien Khuong airport has led to a decrease in international visitors, while domestic visitors, especially families, have increased sharply. The typical length of stay is about 2-3 nights, with many tourists combining their trip with Nha Trang or Phan Thiet.

In Ho Chi Minh City, representatives from the Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel acknowledged that international guest numbers have been affected by aviation factors, particularly those related to transit flights through the Middle East. Some business groups have canceled reservations. However, domestic guest numbers remain stable, with occupancy rates around 90%. Package deals incorporating services such as airport transfers, early check-in, late check-out, and breakfast in the room are more popular than booking individual services. Compared to last year, guest numbers have adjusted somewhat, but the domestic market remains the main driver.

Meanwhile, at the Majestic Saigon Hotel, bookings are increasing but haven't peaked yet due to guests tending to book closer to the date. Rooms with views of the April 30th fireworks display were fully booked early. Room rates range from 4.5 to 5 million VND per night, similar to last year. The hotel is also organizing a buffet dinner on the 5th and 7th floors, coinciding with the fireworks display, with a capacity of approximately 300 guests. Currently, bookings are at about 50% capacity and are expected to increase rapidly in the days leading up to the holiday.

Resorts in Khanh Hoa also recorded occupancy rates of around 90% during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day, while the April 30th - May 1st period was fully booked. At The Anam Cam Ranh, all 77 villas and 136 rooms were fully occupied during peak days. In Mui Ne (Lam Dong), occupancy rates during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day were similar, and while rooms are still available for the April 30th - May 1st period, bookings are expected to increase closer to the holiday as guests tend to book closer to the date, with a common stay of around two nights.

Festive celebrations across the country.

Following the success of previous major holidays, this year's celebrations are seeing local authorities and tourism businesses implementing numerous programs to attract visitors . In Ho Chi Minh City, the highlight is a 15-minute fireworks display at eight locations on the evening of April 30th. The Nguyen Hue pedestrian street area will host art programs on the nights of April 29th and 30th, combined with outdoor exhibitions such as "Vietnam: A Sea of ​​Mountains and Rivers".

Ho Chi Minh City will have artistic fireworks displays at 7 locations on the evening of April 30th, from 9 PM to 9:15 PM.

PHOTO: INDEPENDENT

In Hanoi, the biggest highlight of this year's holiday is the special political and artistic program "Echoes of the Fatherland," taking place at 8 PM on April 28th at My Dinh Stadium. This event kicks off the "Proud to be Vietnamese" series of activities in 2026. The large-scale program is expected to attract around 40,000 spectators, with the participation of over 2,000 artists and performers, along with hundreds of officers and soldiers from the armed forces. Meanwhile, in the Old Quarter and around Hoan Kiem Lake, the city will host cultural exhibitions such as "Our Lacquerware: Historical Tales," "The Flow of Vietnamese Lacquer," etc., throughout the holiday period to serve residents and tourists.

During the April 30th - May 1st holiday, Da Nang also launched a series of cultural and tourism activities to welcome the increased number of visitors. These included the opening of the 2026 beach tourism season, taking place from April 25th to May 3rd in the My Khe - Son Tra area, featuring activities such as kite festivals, art performances, culinary spaces, and water sports. In addition, the city organized exhibitions such as "Colors of Quang Nam," "Vietnam's Crossroads," and the Ao Dai Festival in the city center, along with many traditional festivals in the suburbs. In terms of tourism products, Sun World Ba Na Hills held the Ba Na Sun Fest throughout the summer with diverse artistic activities and experiences.

Phu Quoc is expected to continue welcoming a surge in tourists during the upcoming holiday season with a series of vibrant entertainment activities. The Sunset Town Phu Quoc area, with its nightly fireworks display combined with the "Kiss The Stars" water and light show, has become a popular attraction, drawing the attention of both domestic and international tourists. For every holiday, the pearl island remains a top choice for many.

Vung Tau will continue to maintain its appeal during this holiday season thanks to its proximity to the city center, with travel time of only about 2 to 2.5 hours by road. It is also one of the destinations with the highest search growth during this year's holiday season. In early 2026, Vung Tau will see the addition of a new tourism product with the opening of Sun World Vung Tau, promising a large influx of visitors during the upcoming holiday.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/du-lich-can-le-tang-nhiet-185260420223518609.htm