Travel companies are gearing up for the upcoming 2-9 holiday break, with many reporting strong demand for their services. This year’s extended four-day holiday is ideal for domestic and nearby international travel.
Stable Demand
Vietravel, a prominent travel company, anticipates more than 9,300 travelers during the 2-9 holiday period. Popular domestic destinations include Quang Ninh, the Northwest loop, the Central “heritage route” covering Da Nang, Hoi An, Hue, and Quang Binh, as well as Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, and Phu Quoc.
Tran Doan The Duy, CEO of Vietravel, acknowledges that the challenging economic situation, combined with the 2-9 holiday falling between the summer and autumn travel peaks, has resulted in stable booking numbers. However, he remains optimistic about the potential of family groups and young adults who couldn’t travel during the summer and are now looking forward to a well-deserved break.
Pham Quy Huy, Director of Kiwi Travel, notes that day trips around Ho Chi Minh City are selling well, while travelers are more cautious about visiting certain destinations in the Central and Northern regions. Internationally, tours to Northeast Asia are in demand, but overall sales for the holiday period have been slow. Mr. Huy also observes that some customers tend to book tours close to the departure date, so numbers are expected to rise in the days leading up to the holiday.
In the North, Nguyen Van Tai, Director of VietSense Travel, predicts that independent travel will remain a preferred choice, with nearby destinations like Ha Giang, Moc Chau, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, and Thanh Hoa offering diverse experiences such as beach vacations, cloud hunting, and cultural exploration of ethnic minority groups.
Danang is expected to welcome approximately 484 flights during the four-day holiday, including 203 international flights. Rail arrivals are projected to reach 5,785, a 25% increase from the previous year. Hotel occupancy rates are estimated to range between 50% and 55%, with the highest concentration of guests on September 1 and 2, mostly at seaside resorts and select four and five-star hotels in the city center.
According to the Kien Giang Province Tourism Association, Phu Quoc Island is expected to experience a significant increase in international visitors, particularly from Taiwan, South Korea, and Russia. However, domestic visitor numbers are predicted to rise modestly due to persistently high airfares resulting from limited flight options.
Most domestic flights to Phu Quoc originate from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, with only four weekly flights from Hai Phong, and other routes currently suspended.
Destinations near Ho Chi Minh City, such as Phan Thiet and Nha Trang, are popular choices for the 2-9 holiday. Pictured: Tourists visiting Ninh Thuan’s Dong Cuu Suoi Tien. Photo: Lam Giang
Localities Gear Up for Tourists
Dang Huong Giang, Director of Hanoi’s Department of Tourism, has instructed accommodation and dining establishments to enhance their service quality and ensure food safety and security. Tourist destinations are encouraged to collaborate closely with travel agencies to organize and manage tours professionally and safely.
Nguyen Doan Van, Director of the Hanoi Monument and Landscape Management Board, plans to display additional artifacts at the revolutionary relic site at 90 Tho Nhuom Street (Hoan Kiem District) and the location where President Ho Chi Minh wrote the Appeal for National Resistance in Van Phuc Ward (Ha Dong District). Night tours at famous landmarks such as Hoa Lo Prison, Den Ngoc Son, Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam, and Hoang Thanh Thang Long are also expected to attract visitors.
A leader of the People’s Committee of Sam Son, Thanh Hoa province, assures that there is an abundance of accommodation options for visitors to the area. Local authorities have directed relevant departments to intensify inspections and supervision of restaurants, hotels, and entertainment venues.
Nguyen Thi Le Thanh, Director of Khanh Hoa Province’s Department of Tourism, reports that many resorts in the northern Cam Ranh peninsula are already fully booked. The province anticipates an increase in tourist arrivals compared to the same period last year.
To ensure the best service delivery, the Khanh Hoa Provincial Tourism Department has requested that businesses comply with regulations on price registration, price listing, and selling at listed prices. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of fire prevention and control measures.
Thua Thien-Hue Province’s Department of Tourism announces that Vietnamese visitors will enjoy free admission to historical sites on September 2. Various cultural and sporting events are also planned, including the “Hue Jogging – Running for the Community” program on September 1, the Thua Thien-Hue Traditional Boat Racing Championship, and artistic performances at the Hoang Thanh walking street in Hue.
The Hue Monuments Conservation Center, which manages the historic sites in the province, has prepared ticketing and crowd control plans for popular destinations. Resort hotels will offer on-site culinary experiences and traditional local craft products for guests to explore.
International Tours Remain Dominant
Demand for international tours, especially to nearby markets, continues to outpace domestic travel during this holiday period, creating a significant imbalance between the two markets.
A market survey by Vietluxtour reveals that approximately 60% of independent travelers booked international tours for the 2-9 holiday, while only 40% opted for domestic destinations. Traditional destinations like South Korea and China remain popular, while newly reopened Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia and Laos are attracting travelers with their affordable prices, shorter travel times, and favorable weather.
Vu Bich Hue, Head of Communications at Flamingo Redtours, reports that up to 80% of their customers have chosen international tours, with Thailand, China (8.7 million VND per person, all-inclusive), Japan, and South Korea (from 15 million VND per person, all-inclusive) being the most sought-after destinations.
Do Xuan Ngoan, Director of Hongaitours, notes that tours to China, priced at around 10 million VND per person, are highly favored by travelers. Road trips, such as Hanoi – Bang Tao – Nanning, Mong Cai – Tra Co – Dong Hung, Ha Khau – Binh Bian – Jian Shui – Mong Cu, are particularly appealing due to their reasonable costs and shorter durations.
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