Tourism promises to be very profitable during Tet.

Many international tourists and overseas Vietnamese flocked to experience the festive atmosphere of the Lunar New Year at various destinations, while domestic and international Tet tours were very popular.

On January 22nd (the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month), according to observations by reporters from the Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper, many travel companies were welcoming international tour groups to Ho Chi Minh City and other destinations nationwide. Not only were there groups traveling on organized tours, but the demand for independent travel also increased significantly.

Bustling crowds celebrate Vietnamese Lunar New Year.

Saigontourist Travel Service Company announced that it recently organized the "Celebrating the Year of the Snake 2025" program for overseas Vietnamese from all over the world who returned home to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) last weekend in Ho Chi Minh City. The overseas Vietnamese groups had the opportunity to experience famous destinations such as the Cu Chi Tunnels; visit the Intelligence Museum, admire valuable artifacts, and learn about the historical journey of the Saigon Commando soldiers...

Ms. Doan Thi Thanh Tra, Deputy General Director of Saigontourist Travel, said that from the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month to the 10th day of the 1st lunar month, the company's nationwide system will serve a total of more than 20,000 Vietnamese and overseas Vietnamese tourists traveling domestically and internationally, as well as international tourists visiting Vietnam.

"On the first day of Tet (Lunar New Year), the company will welcome the cruise ship Celebrity Solstice with 3,000 tourists from the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, and other countries to 'inaugurate' Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue. The tourists will continue their tour of Ho Chi Minh City, Tien Giang , and Ba Ria - Vung Tau before departing Vietnam on the evening of the third day of Tet," Ms. Thanh Tra excitedly shared.

A group of nearly 100 tourists from Poland recently had the opportunity to experience the traditional Tet (Lunar New Year) atmosphere in Ho Chi Minh City through the "Westerners Celebrate Vietnamese Tet" tour. Wojciech Pawelec (from Poland) excitedly shared that this was his second time visiting Vietnam during the traditional Tet holiday. He said that in the past few days, he had seen the streets of Vietnam decorated brightly and the atmosphere very lively.

"The rich, distinctive dishes left a deep impression, such as banh chung (Vietnamese sticky rice cake) served with pickled shallots – a very special combination, both sweet and sour. If we have the chance, my family and I will return to Vietnam," said Wojciech Pavalec.

According to Mr. Tran The Dung, General Director of Vietluxtour Travel Company, in previous years, the "Westerners Celebrating Vietnamese Tet" tour received very positive feedback from tourists, so the company maintains this activity annually to increase the diversity and uniqueness of its products, giving foreign tourists a beautiful impression of Vietnamese culture. Currently, Europe is a key market and accounts for about 30% of Vietluxtour's total number of foreign tourists visiting Vietnam.

Foreign tourists enjoy cyclo tours around Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: HOANG TRIEU)

Flight and hotel booking services available throughout the Tet holiday.

Not only international tourists, but also domestic and outbound tours are popular choices for travelers during this Tet holiday.

Ms. Nguyen Nguyet Van Khanh, Director of Marketing at Vietravel Tourism Company, said that the number of customers booking Tet holiday tours, including both domestic and international tours, has reached nearly 80% of the planned target. Vietravel expects to serve approximately 128,000 customers this Tet holiday. Traditional Tet holiday routes such as the North (Hanoi, Sa Pa); the Central region (Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An); and coastal and island tours like Phu Quoc and Nha Trang... are receiving great interest from customers.

"The domestic market remains very vibrant, especially with tours that highlight the spring season and traditional culture. Vietnamese tourists now have more choices and higher demands for service quality, so travel companies also need to innovate their products to better meet the needs of domestic tourists," Ms. Van Khanh observed.

As of mid-January 2025, Viet Travel Company had achieved over 90% of its Tet holiday tour plan, with nearly 200 routes serving more than 10,000 registered customers. Mr. Pham Anh Vu, Deputy General Director of Viet Travel Company, noted a 25% increase in the number of customers compared to the same period last year, with over 70% being family groups participating in tours of 4 days or more. Domestic tours focus on destinations such as Nha Trang, the Central Highlands, Da Nang, and the Northwest region of Vietnam...

Notably, many people choose to travel during Tet (Lunar New Year) but don't book tours, opting instead for independent travel or simply booking flights and hotels. Many travel companies announce they will operate throughout Tet, catering to the demand for customized services or offering combo packages (including flights, hotels, and bus tickets).

Furthermore, the 2025 Tet holiday tourism market is witnessing the development of many train tour products, reflecting a new trend that meets the demand for more unique experiences for tourists. Train routes such as Hanoi - Lao Cai, Quang Binh, or Ho Chi Minh City - Nha Trang, Hue, Da Nang... are attracting the attention of many tourists this Tet holiday.

Facing a historic opportunity

Mr. Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, believes that the tourism industry is facing historic opportunities stemming from the attention of the entire political system and society as a whole regarding the driving role of tourism in the economy. The international tourist market still has much room for growth under favorable visa and immigration policies.

By 2025, the tourism industry aims to welcome 22-23 million international tourists and serve 120-130 million domestic tourists; total tourism revenue is expected to reach approximately 980-1,050 trillion VND.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/du-lich-hua-hen-boi-thu-dip-tet-196250122212523542.htm