Suburban Homestays Fully Booked during 30/4 – 1/5 Holiday
Due to exorbitant airfare for popular destinations like Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Da Nang, many families have opted for a more budget-friendly option by seeking out accommodations near Hanoi during the upcoming 30/4 – 1/5 holiday. As a result, most suburban homestays have been fully booked since the beginning of March.
Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Mai from the Hai Ba Trung district shared her experience about how she struggled to find a place to stay outside of Hanoi due to her late planning. She called numerous homestays in Soc Son and Ba Vi, but all were fully booked for the holiday.
“We decided to go on a short getaway near Hanoi because plane tickets to distant destinations were too expensive. But our plans fell through because we didn’t book our accommodation early enough. Even when we looked at Moc Chau, we couldn’t find anything available. Most resorts and homestays only had vacancies starting from May 2nd,” explained Ms. Mai.
Campers and vacationers fill a suburban Hanoi homestay. (Photo courtesy: Facebook Nhacuato)
Ms. Tran Anh Tuyet, manager of a Dong Do resort in Soc Son district, confirmed the surge in bookings for the 30/4 – 1/5 holiday. She reported that all the villas were booked, with only one remaining vacancy for May 2nd.
Guests have been reserving their holiday accommodations since early March 2024. The daily villa rental rates for weekdays range from 6 million VND, with amenities such as spa services, coffee, a swimming pool, and a sound system included.
“The rates are higher on weekends, ranging from 8 to 9 million VND per day. The villas typically accommodate 10-12 guests. We receive a lot of reservations from Hanoi as well as from neighboring provinces like Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Cao Bang, and Ha Giang,” said Ms. Tuyet.
According to Ms. Tuyet, the homestay receives guests year-round, but the number skyrockets during major holidays like 30/4 – 1/5, with an increase of four to five times the usual occupancy. Despite the slight price increase during this peak season, demand for reservations remains high.
Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh, who manages a resort in Ba Vi, reported a similar trend. “We had guests booking from the beginning of March to secure their spots because the holiday is a long one. As of now, all our rooms are fully booked until May 2nd.”
Mr. Thanh also mentioned that the rental rates for the 30/4 holiday are comparable to weekend prices, with a 10-20% increase compared to weekdays.
He advises travelers that it’s too late to expect ideal accommodations at homestays, villas, or resorts near Hanoi. Any remaining vacancies may not be desirable.
“Even many resorts in Hoa Binh, which offer prices in the range of 6-7 million VND per night, are fully booked for the five-day holiday. Larger villas priced at 10-12 million VND per night are also taken. In recent years, people have become more experienced with booking accommodations well in advance, often 2-3 months before major holidays,” added Mr. Thanh.
Tran Tien Hung, manager of a resort in Dong Anh, shared that all 20 bungalows at his property have been reserved for the month. “We ran out of rooms by the beginning of April. Most bookings were made between the beginning and mid of March,” he said.
Regarding room rates during the holiday, Mr. Hung reported an approximate increase of 20% compared to weekend prices. A bungalow that would cost around 1.5 million VND per night on a regular day will be priced at over 1.9 million VND per night during the holiday period.
Mr. Hung believes that the surge in bookings for suburban homestays in Hanoi this holiday season can be attributed to the high cost of airfare, which has prompted families to explore more affordable options closer to home.
“People are prioritizing experiences over expensive long-distance trips. Homestays that are well-designed, offer a variety of amenities, and create a serene and eco-friendly atmosphere are ideal for this. They provide not only luxurious accommodations but also dedicated spaces for activities such as walking, cycling, swimming, fishing, and team building,” explained Mr. Hung.
