Vietnamese tourists are still 'lingering' around Phu Quoc and Da Lat during the New Year holiday.

Tourists from Ho Chi Minh City "hunt" for photos of cherry blossoms in Da Lat during the Lunar New Year 2025. Photo: Linh Huynh .

The demand for New Year's Day tours is entering its "final push" phase in the last two weeks of the year.

Ms. Tran Thi Bao Thu, Marketing and Communications Director of Vietluxtour travel agency, said that the company recorded up to 60% of families and young people proactively requesting an extra day off on Friday (January 2nd) to combine the weekend, creating a 4-day holiday. This completely changed tour selection behavior, paving the way for options involving longer flights or travel.

High occupancy rates, increased spending.

Ms. Thu said that overseas tours are 90-95% full, while domestic tours are about 80% full and are expected to be completed next week because Vietnamese tourists often book close to the date. Routes in the Northeast and Northwest ( Ha Giang , Sa Pa, Moc Chau ) are leading thanks to the flower season and cloud hunting; in the South, Phu Quoc and Phan Thiet continue to be popular choices.

Compared to the same period last year, the number of visitors increased by 15-20%.

"The bright spot is not only the number of customers but also the average revenue per customer, which has increased by about 15%, reflecting the trend of choosing mid- to high-end tours, prioritizing service quality and experience over cheap prices," Ms. Thu said.

At BestPrice Travel , the occupancy rate for international tours reached 78-82%, a 12% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Northeast Asia (Japan, South Korea) and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Singapore) led the way thanks to simplified procedures, frequent flight routes, reasonable costs during peak season, and the year-end festival season.

Domestic tours reached 70-75%, with a slight increase in the resort and beach/island segments such as Phu Quoc, Da Nang - Hoi An, Sa Pa, and Quy Nhon.

Located approximately 160-180 km from Ho Chi Minh City, Phan Thiet - Mui Ne (Lam Dong province) attracts tourists during holidays, Tet (Lunar New Year), and weekends thanks to its connecting highway system. Photo: Linh Huynh.

These top destinations are quite similar to the hotel search data on the digital travel platform Booking.com from October 1st to November 15th (stay dates from December 20th, 2025 to January 5th, 2026).

According to the report, Phu Quoc is the most popular destination during the holiday season, followed by Da Lat, Ho Chi Minh City, and Hanoi. Da Nang, Nha Trang, Vung Tau, and Mui Ne remain popular relaxation destinations; Hoi An and Sa Pa attract tourists who appreciate local culture and the cool weather at the end of the year; while Bangkok, Tokyo, and Seoul lead in demand for outbound travel.

Speaking to Tri Thức - Znews , Mr. Bui Thanh Tu, Marketing Director of BestPrice Travel, said that recent reports of landslides in Da Lat have caused some families to reconsider their options before choosing the city as a destination. The company has recorded 10-15% of customers changing their destination or travel dates, but there have been no mass tour cancellations.

Travel companies have adjusted itineraries, avoiding high-risk routes, increasing information transparency, and suggesting alternative options such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Buon Ma Thuot. "Despite the impact, demand for Da Lat remains stable thanks to the beautiful weather at the end of the year and the abundant accommodation ecosystem," Mr. Tu commented.

The pink grass season at the end of the year continues to attract tourists to Da Lat after floods and landslides. Photos: Do Phan Anh, Banh Gao, Phan Quoc Dung.

At Vietluxtour, bookings for Da Lat tours remain stable. Only 5-10% of customers ask more detailed questions about road safety and accommodation options.

"The cancellation rate is almost zero. We've re-evaluated our offerings, only working with hotels in geologically stable areas and not partnering with homestays perched precariously on hillsides," Ms. Thu shared.

Tourists spend heavily on Lunar New Year tours.

The market for the Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse 2026) has been heating up since the beginning of November and is now entering its peak. Many families are taking advantage of the long holiday to seek out health-restoring trips and connect three generations.

At BestPrice Travel, demand increased by 15-18%, particularly for Japan-Korea tours, Europe, and 6-8 day trips. Average spending increased by 8-12% as customers prioritized 4-5 star hotels and wellness tours.

Vietluxtour has observed a trend of "rejuvenation and connection" in tourism during this period. Three-generation families are choosing longer vacations, prioritizing customized tours, private transportation, and flexible itineraries for the elderly and young children, focusing on experiences rather than rushing to "check-in".

Filipino tourists stroll along Ong Do Street and visit Ngoc Hoang Pagoda during the Lunar New Year 2025. Photo: Linh Huynh.

"Customers are more discerning in their spending, but they're not stingy. They pay attention to the quality of meals, transportation, insurance… and are willing to pay extra for peace of mind," Ms. Thu said.

According to Mr. Pham Anh Vu, Deputy General Director of Viet Travel, despite a strong increase in outbound tourism, domestic tours still account for 60% of tourists during Tet. The 3-day/2-night or 4-day/3-night Phu Quoc tour packages continue to lead the way for both individual travelers and businesses; Central Vietnam heritage tours and Northern Vietnam Tet tours are also popular. The demand for "celebrating Tet abroad" is high thanks to the long holiday.

Mr. Vu also warned about the proliferation of fake travel agency fanpages, advertising vouchers with 40-50% discounts, requesting deposits, and then disappearing. Customers are advised not to transfer money to personal accounts and only work with reputable companies with clear addresses, and to be wary of fraudulent "ClickFix" links.

Meanwhile, a survey of over 35,000 Vietnamese tourists by BenThanh Tourist revealed some differences: New Zealand topped the list of foreign destinations with 4,932 visits, followed by Japan (4,388), France (4,079), South Korea (3,562), and mainland China (3,280). Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Taiwan (China), and the USA ranked next.

Notably, Thailand did not make the top 10, reflecting the trend of Vietnamese tourists seeking new destinations and more immersive and unique experiences during the 2026 Lunar New Year season.

Source: https://znews.vn/khach-viet-van-loanh-quanh-phu-quoc-da-lat-dip-tet-duong-post1610317.html