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The New Year's Day holiday is considered a warm-up in preparation for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday and a start to 2024. For the domestic market, tourists tend to choose destinations near major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City...
Destinations in the northern mountainous region, such as Ha Giang and Lao Cai, are experiencing good growth in visitor numbers. Meanwhile, southern coastal and island destinations, although not as bustling, still record average occupancy rates of around 60-90%, depending on the hotel segment.
A long line of vehicles travels through Ha Giang during the 2024 New Year's holiday. Photo: Nguyen Minh
One of the destinations that recorded a breakthrough in growth during the recent holiday season was Ha Giang.
During the New Year holiday, convoys of vehicles from all over the country lined up to visit the rocky plateau. Popular tourist destinations such as Quan Ba Twin Mountains, the Vuong family mansion, Lung Cu National Flagpole, Ma Pi Leng Pass, and Nho Que hydroelectric reservoir were almost fully booked.
Speaking to Lao Dong newspaper, Ms. Trieu Thi Tinh, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ha Giang province, said that the locality welcomed a large number of domestic and international tourists during the New Year holiday.
The number of visitors to Ha Giang during the 2024 New Year holiday (from December 30, 2023 to January 1, 2024) reached over 89,000. Of these, 6,100 were foreign tourists. Tourism revenue during this period exceeded 220 billion VND.
According to the Lao Cai Department of Tourism, the province is estimated to have welcomed approximately 155,600 tourists during the holiday period, a 27% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Total revenue from tourism during this period reached approximately 467 billion VND, a 9% increase compared to the same period in 2023 (429 billion VND); of which, total revenue from international tourists reached 86 billion VND.
The majority of visitors were concentrated in key tourist areas such as Sa Pa with approximately 85,400 visitors, Lao Cai city with about 42,900 visitors, and Bac Ha district with about 31,000 visitors. Hotel occupancy rates throughout the province reached approximately 75%, while in Sa Pa they reached about 90-95%.
Speaking to Lao Dong newspaper, Mr. Bui Xuan Truong, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hoa Binh province, said that during the three-day New Year's Day holiday in 2024, Hoa Binh tourism welcomed more than 76,000 visitors, an 82% increase compared to the same period last year.
During that period, the province welcomed 5,773 international visitors and nearly 71,000 domestic visitors. Total revenue from tourism reached approximately 60 billion VND, an increase of 53.8% compared to the same period in 2023.
Son La's tourism industry also welcomed 217,000 visitors, with estimated revenue reaching 250 billion VND during the recent holiday period.
During the three-day holiday, Hanoi is estimated to have received 402,000 tourists, a 65% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Hanoi Department of Tourism. Specifically, international visitors are estimated at 72,000, a 2.1-fold increase, while domestic visitors are estimated at 330,000, a 59% increase.
Total revenue from tourism is estimated at nearly 1.5 trillion VND, an increase of 73% compared to the same period in 2023. The average occupancy rate of hotels is estimated at approximately 60%, an increase of 7.8% compared to the same period in 2023.
Assessing the effectiveness of tourism in the capital city during the 2024 New Year holiday, Ms. Dang Huong Giang - Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism - said that the Hanoi Department of Tourism had established an inspection team to rectify the practices of tourism businesses, and to handle acts of harassment, soliciting, price gouging, and extortion of tourists at tourist destinations...
The New Year's holiday coincides with the peak inbound season, therefore some northern coastal destinations such as Ha Long Bay (Quang Ninh) and Lan Ha Bay (Hai Phong) are fully booked for cruises during this period. According to data from travel companies and online platforms, cruises in these bays are almost fully booked early, with 85% of the passengers being international tourists.
According to the Vinh Phuc Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, during the three-day holiday (December 30, 2023 - January 1, 2024), the province is estimated to welcome nearly 90,000 visitors, a 5% increase compared to 2023. Of these, an estimated 3,400 are international visitors; 85,600 are domestic visitors; and 35,600 are overnight guests. Revenue is estimated at 45 billion VND, a 12% increase compared to 2023.
According to Mr. Dang Hoang Lam, Secretary of the Party Committee of Tam Dao town, the number of tourists visiting Tam Dao during the New Year holiday reached approximately 20,000, with nearly 100% of guests staying overnight. Resorts and hotels were fully booked in advance.
In addition, Tam Dao (Vinh Phuc province) is packed with tourists visiting, taking photos, and using services during the day, with restaurants and cafes operating at over 90% capacity. Photo: Thu Thuy
As for Ninh Binh, the entire province welcomed over 312,000 tourists, including nearly 30,000 international tourists; revenue reached 420 billion VND, an increase of 10.52% compared to 2023.
The average occupancy rate reached over 70%, with many accommodations achieving 100% occupancy, such as The Reed, Hoang Son, Vedana, Emeralda, Minawa Kenh Ga, Tam Coc Garden, Hidden Charm, and The Vissai hotels.
In particular, during this year's New Year's holiday, Ninh Binh's nighttime tourist attractions such as Bai Dinh Pagoda, Hoa Lu Ancient Town, Thung Nham Bird Garden, and Dinh Tien Hoang Emperor Square welcomed nearly 120,000 visitors.
Security, public order, environmental hygiene, and civilized tourism practices are ensured by all levels and sectors. There are no instances of overcrowding, coercion of tourists, or soliciting tips... and the image of Ninh Binh tourism is widely promoted, according to Mr. Bui Van Manh, Director of the Ninh Binh Provincial Department of Tourism.
Tens of thousands of locals and tourists attended the "Phoco Countdown 2024" program in the Hoa Lu ancient town (Ninh Binh) on the evening of December 31st. Photo: Dieu Anh
Da Nang recorded an occupancy rate of over 60% for 3-4 star hotels and approximately 40-50% for 5-star hotels. Domestic tourists mainly come from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and neighboring central provinces such as Quang Nam, Thua Thien Hue, and Quang Ngai. International tourists are primarily from South Korea, Taiwan (China), Japan, India, and Southeast Asia (Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines).
The number of tourists visiting and staying in Quang Nam province is estimated at 103,000 (a 130% increase compared to the same period last year). Of these, international tourists significantly outnumbered domestic tourists, with 91,000 international visitors. Unfavorable weather conditions resulted in fewer visitors to some tourist areas and attractions such as Cu Lao Cham and Phu Ninh Lake Eco-tourism Area.
The occupancy rate for 4-5 star hotels is around 80-90% in areas near and within the Old Quarter, while accommodations further from the city center and near the beach have lower occupancy rates.
During the New Year's holiday, restaurants and eateries in Hoi An open their doors to serve tourists who are waiting to welcome the new year. Photo: Van Truc
According to the Tourism Management Department of the Lam Dong Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, from December 30, 2023 to January 1, 2024, the total number of tourists visiting and staying in the locality is estimated at over 160,000, an increase of about 33% compared to the same period in 2023. This is a positive sign for Lam Dong's tourism activities in 2024.
Approximately 140,000 tourists are expected to stay in Lam Dong province during the 2024 New Year holiday, including 5,000 international visitors. Da Lat city alone is estimated to receive over 120,000 visitors, including 4,900 international tourists. High-end hotels (3-5 stars) are operating at 85-90% capacity; other types of accommodation are operating at around 75%.
The total number of tourists visiting Dak Nong during the New Year holiday is estimated at approximately 20,900 (an increase of 20.1% compared to the New Year holiday in 2023).
Of these, approximately 3,500 were overnight visitors, and about 17,400 were visitors to tourist attractions and recreational activities. Total revenue from tourism activities during the holiday period is estimated at 9 billion VND.
According to Ms. Khuc Thi Thoi, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in order to attract tourists, many tourist attractions and entertainment venues in Dak Nong province have organized numerous recreational activities during this period.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, during the 2024 New Year holiday, the number of international visitors to Ho Chi Minh City is estimated to reach approximately 46,528, an increase of 86.1% compared to the 25,000 visitors in the same period of 2023.
Tourism revenue is estimated at approximately 6,400 billion VND, an increase of 7.7% compared to the same period in 2023. With the increase in the number of tourists, the operation of tourist accommodation establishments and service facilities meeting the standards for serving tourists has seen many positive developments. It is estimated that the number of overnight stays at accommodation establishments reached approximately 225,700, an increase of 5% compared to the same period in 2023 (215,000).
Many roads leading to the central area of Ho Chi Minh City were crowded with people celebrating the New Year 2024. Photo: Thanh Vu
Travel agencies report a significant increase in foreign tourists to Ho Chi Minh City, particularly cruise ship passengers – a high-end tourist segment from Europe, the US, Australia, Japan, and other countries – due to the short New Year's holiday period and its proximity to the Lunar New Year.
At the same time, due to the high airfare, most tourists are choosing to travel within the city with their families, return to their hometowns, or visit eco-tourism areas in the city to relax with family and friends.
Other coastal destinations such as Vung Tau, Phan Thiet, and Nha Trang recorded average occupancy rates of around 30% to 60%.
According to Mr. Bui Quoc Thai, Director of the Kien Giang Department of Tourism, the province welcomed over 120,700 visitors, with Phu Quoc receiving over 88,000. The estimated number of international visitors was nearly 15,500 (with Phu Quoc accounting for over 15,000), and the number of visitors staying overnight in the province was over 55,000 (with Phu Quoc accounting for over 35,000).
The occupancy rate of tourist accommodations was approximately over 63%, with total tourism revenue reaching 369 billion VND. Most tourists flocked to the south and north of the island to participate in New Year 2024 celebrations, resulting in fewer visitors to the center of Phu Quoc City, with occupancy rates only reaching around 50%.
After a period of receiving mixed opinions regarding the quality and price of services, and the high cost of airfare, Phu Quoc has organized many activities to stimulate demand, rectify shortcomings, and tighten tourism management.
