Hanoi explodes with the attraction of the 80th National Day celebration
During the 4-day holiday, Hanoi is the focus of Vietnam's tourism industry. According to Booking.com's report, from 7th place in 2024, the capital rose to the top of the list of most searched domestic destinations on September 2. The reason lies not only in the attraction of the series of events celebrating the 80th anniversary of National Day but also in the festive atmosphere that covers the streets.
The grand parades, art shows, exhibitions and the colorful old town spaces have made many tourists decide to plan early. Agoda recorded a 44-fold increase in the number of accommodation searches in Hanoi during this time compared to the same period last year. Many hotels near Hoan Kiem Lake, Ba Dinh Square or the old town have been "sold out" since mid-summer.
Hanoi is the top choice destination for this year's National Day holiday.
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During the September 2nd holiday, many people decided to stay in the capital to watch the parade instead of returning to their hometowns or traveling to other provinces and cities. Travel blogger Hanh Hanh, from Ninh Binh, said that at this time last year, she chose to go abroad. However, this year, Hanh spent the entire 4 days of the holiday watching the rehearsal on August 30th and the official ceremony on September 2nd in Hanoi. Thanh Hien, from Thai Nguyen, and his girlfriend Thu Trang, from Phu Tho, also stayed in the capital instead of returning to their hometown like previous years. Meanwhile, Bich Phuong, from Ho Chi Minh City, booked a flight to Hanoi from the end of August to visit and participate in the parade.
Hanoi's appeal also spreads to neighboring localities. Quang Ninh is expected to welcome about 300,000 visitors, an increase of nearly 15% compared to 2024; Ninh Binh has a booking rate of 80-90% before the holiday. Inter-route tours such as "Hanoi - Ha Long - Ninh Binh" or "Hanoi - Sa Pa - Fansipan" have become popular choices, both connecting urban areas and experiencing nature. It can be said that Hanoi is playing the role of a gateway, pulling the whole North into a vibrant tourist season.
Ninh Binh is a destination near Hanoi that many people choose to visit during this time.
The Central and Central Highlands regions maintain their position as resort destinations.
If Hanoi is the cultural and historical center, Da Nang and Da Lat offer different options. Da Nang ranked second in Booking.com's search list for the 2/9 holiday thanks to its advantages of blue sea, white sand and a peaceful pace of life. Tourists can relax on the beach while exploring Ba Na Hills, Son Tra Peninsula or the city's unique bridges.
Meanwhile, Da Lat - a familiar destination for young people continues to affirm its position with its cool climate, romantic landscape and countless outdoor activities, with up to 56% of tourists choosing this place because they want a vacation close to nature.
Da Lat is still in the top searched destinations on September 2nd.
In addition to the three leading destinations, localities such as Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Hue, Hoi An and Vung Tau also left a clear impression. While Nha Trang and Phu Quoc attract visitors with their sunny beaches, Hue and Hoi An conquer with their cultural heritage, while Ho Chi Minh City is bustling with a series of cultural and artistic activities and brilliant fireworks displays at many central locations.
New trends: staycation, combination tours and international travel
This year, a large number of tourists tend to stay at home. 4-5 star hotels and suburban resorts such as Soc Son, Ba Vi or Can Gio, Binh Duong have recorded a sharp increase in room bookings. Enjoying cuisine, visiting exhibitions, and walking around streets filled with flags and flowers are also options chosen by many families to enjoy the holiday. This staycation trend reflects the need to enjoy the festive atmosphere without having to travel far, especially suitable for families with young children or the elderly.
Staycation is still a popular trend during the holidays.
Travel blogger Vinh Gau also chose a staycation in his hometown Buon Ma Thuot. Working in tourism, he said that major holidays are often crowded and he has traveled to many places during the year, so he wants to spend this time near his family, seeking peace and familiarity.
In parallel, the “2 destinations - 1 journey” combination tour has also become an attractive choice, especially for overseas Vietnamese returning home. Many families choose a cross-Vietnam tour, or connect to an international tour from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to other Asian countries.
Deputy General Director of Viet Tourism Media Joint Stock Company - Mr. Pham Anh Vu commented that domestic tourism dominates with more than 60% of total bookings, significantly higher than foreign tourism (about 30-40%). However, this segment still holds great appeal to young people and well-off families.
Customers booking outbound tours only account for about 30-40% during this year's National Day.
Special holiday marks boost for Vietnam tourism
This year's National Day, September 2nd, clearly shows the diverse choices of Vietnamese tourists: some head to Hanoi to join in the festive atmosphere, some go to Da Nang, Da Lat or the beaches of Nha Trang, Phu Quoc... There are also tourists who choose to staycation right in the city where they live and a large number decide to fly abroad. All of this has created a holiday that is both vibrant and colorful.
This shows that domestic tourism still plays a central role, along with the trend of new experiences and internationalization. From the choices of millions of Vietnamese people during the 4-day holiday, it can be seen that the tourism industry has great potential to continue to accelerate, towards the peak season at the end of the year and beyond to 2026 with many new expectations.
