Based on information received from the National Tourism Administration of Vietnam, the tourism industry expects to serve approximately 8 million visitors throughout the 5-day holiday period from April 30th to May 1st, 2024 (April 27th to May 1st, 2024), marking a 14.2% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Among these, around 3.6 million tourists are likely to stay overnight.
Most prominent tourism locations throughout the country have recorded positive signs with a notable rise in visitors compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Among them, Thanh Hoa Province and its Sam Son Beach have taken the lead nationwide and among coastal provinces, receiving approximately 1.5 million tourists.
The province has reaped significant revenue post-holiday, with total earnings from tourism reaching approximately 3,805 billion VND.
Sam Son Beach is always packed with tourists during the April 30th – May 1st holiday period – Photo: Tien Phong
During the first two days of the holiday period, the northern and central regions of Vietnam experienced severe heat, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius in many areas. To escape the scorching heat, tens of thousands of visitors flocked to Sam Son Beach in Thanh Hoa to relax and swim. Sam Son Beach is consistently packed with tourists during the holiday period. The combination of hot weather and stunning beaches makes Sam Son a popular destination for tourists from northern provinces during every holiday season.
Quang Ninh ranked second in terms of tourist arrivals, welcoming approximately 1.1 million visitors and generating approximately 2,210 billion VND in tourism revenue. Khanh Hoa Province ranked third, with approximately 969,950 visitors and tourism revenue reaching approximately 1,306.7 billion VND.
Other coastal provinces followed suit. Nghe An, renowned for its Cua Lo Beach, generated approximately 1,700 billion VND from tourism, serving around 950,000 visitors. Ba Ria – Vung Tau earned approximately 712.8 billion VND, while Da Nang recorded approximately 1,3360 billion VND, hosting around 336,000 tourists.
The two major cities, Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, also attracted substantial tourist numbers. Ho Chi Minh City welcomed approximately 969,000 visitors, generating approximately 3,235 billion VND, while Hanoi hosted approximately 737,900 visitors, earning approximately 2,500 billion VND from tourism.
International Tourist Arrivals Continue to Rise
According to the Tourism Administration, overall, preparations for serving tourists during the April 30th – May 1st holiday period this year commenced well in advance; localities and businesses proactively ensured the security and safety of tourism activities, food safety, and prevented any regrettable accidents or incidents.
The 5-day holiday period this year resulted in increased visitor numbers, extended stays, and higher revenue compared to the same period in 2023. Notably, international tourist arrivals continued to show positive growth despite the peak season having passed. Hotel rates and other tourism services remained largely unchanged.
Security, environmental sanitation, and food safety were maintained at all destinations. Proactive preparation and organization of various large-scale cultural events, festivals, and sporting events at local and tourism centers, coupled with the involvement of businesses, have created new tourism products and spurred demand for entertainment, sightseeing, and relaxation during the holiday period and the 2024 summer tourism peak season.
Moreover, to adapt to the rising cost of domestic airfare, many travel agencies have diversified their tour offerings by increasing the number of tours utilizing high-quality buses for shorter distances and integrating trains, buses, and water transportation for longer distances. This approach reduces tour prices while enhancing the visitor experience. The trend of driving personal vehicles to nearby destinations for independent exploration and a more flexible holiday experience also gained popularity during the April 30th – May 1st holiday period this year.
Local authorities have actively implemented festive activities and events to captivate tourists and organized a wide range of cultural activities, festivals, and artistic programs, such as the “Da Nang Sea Tourism Season 2024 Opening” with the theme “Summer Waves”; the “2024 Tourism Festival – Do Son: A Destination for All Seasons”; the 2024 Ha Tinh Sea Tourism Opening Ceremony; the 2024 Bac Kan Provincial Tourism and Cultural Week; the 2024 Sam Son Sea Tourism Festival; and the Fansipan Rose Festival.
