Vietnam’s upcoming four-day National Day holiday, from August 30th to September 2nd, is expected to see a surge in domestic tourism, with Hanoi emerging as the most popular destination. The 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day celebrations are driving unprecedented demand, causing a significant spike in flight and accommodation prices.
Hanoi: A Surge in Demand for National Day Celebrations
The capital city is anticipated to be the epicenter of holiday travel this year, primarily due to the highly anticipated military parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of National Day. This surge in demand has resulted in a dramatic increase in airfare prices on routes to Hanoi. Round-trip flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi between August 30th and September 3rd are priced as low as 5 million VND for less desirable flight times. However, travelers seeking convenient flight schedules can expect to pay significantly more, ranging from 5.6 million VND to 6.5 million VND, depending on the airline – a price increase of two to three times the usual cost.
This contrasts sharply with previous National Day holidays, where Hanoi’s central hotels often had considerable vacancy. This year, the desire to witness the celebratory parade has led to a severe shortage of hotel rooms, particularly in prime locations. Phạm Anh Vũ, Deputy General Director of Viet Travel Company, reports that many hotels are demanding full upfront payment for bookings, with no refunds under any circumstances.
Data from Mustgo, a booking platform for travel agents with over 2,000 hotel partners nationwide, further underscores Hanoi’s prominence. As of August 12th, hotels in the city center, including those in the Old Quarter and near Ba Dinh Square, show occupancy rates of 85-90% for 4- and 5-star hotels and 80% for 3-star hotels.
Beyond Hanoi: A Mixed Bag of Tourist Destinations
While Hanoi dominates the holiday travel scene, other popular destinations exhibit varying levels of demand. In northern Vietnam, Sapa is another notable location, with 3-star hotels boasting approximately 65% occupancy between August 31st and September 2nd. 4-star hotels are nearly fully booked on August 30th and 31st, while 5-star hotels maintain an average occupancy of 65% throughout the four-day holiday. However, demand in Sapa is concentrated primarily on the first two days of the holiday.
In contrast, Quang Ninh province, home to Ha Long Bay, hasn’t yet experienced a significant surge in bookings. Mustgo anticipates a rapid increase in reservations within the week leading up to the holiday.
Nghệ An and Hà Tĩnh provinces are witnessing high early booking rates, aided by their convenient accessibility by private car. Most 4- and 5-star hotels in these regions report occupancy rates of up to 80% for the first three days of the holiday (August 30th to September 1st), with lower occupancy on September 2nd, the final day of the holiday.
Central and Southern Vietnam: Lower Occupancy, High Airfares
Popular summer destinations like Da Nang and Hoi An are currently experiencing significantly lower occupancy rates, with most hotel segments showing only 20-30% occupancy. Airfare costs present a significant barrier for potential visitors, with round-trip flights from Hanoi costing approximately 3.8-4 million VND and from Ho Chi Minh City costing around 3.4 million VND. These prices are comparable to peak summer season rates.
Mustgo representatives emphasize that the current low occupancy figures don’t fully reflect the final picture, as many travelers tend to book accommodations at the last minute.
In southern Vietnam, Vung Tau, Phan Thiet, and Da Lat, all easily accessible by private car or bus from Ho Chi Minh City, haven’t seen a substantial increase in bookings either. Similar to other destinations, last-minute bookings are expected to significantly impact occupancy rates in the coming week, particularly in Phan Thiet, given its stable tourism infrastructure and favorable weather.
Phu Quoc: Moderate Occupancy, High Airfares
In contrast to the mainland, Phu Quoc Island is experiencing moderate demand. Most hotels have forgone holiday surcharges due to lower-than-expected domestic tourist numbers. 5-star hotels across both the north and south of the island currently report approximately 30% occupancy. 4-star hotels in the north, such as the Seashells Phu Quoc Hotel & Spa, show approximately 60% occupancy for August 30th, 31st, and September 1st. Resorts and villas in the south of the island have around 40% occupancy.
Despite the moderate occupancy rates, airfares to Phu Quoc have increased significantly. Round-trip flights between August 29th and September 2nd range from 5.4 million VND to 8 million VND, depending on the airline and flight time. These prices rival those of Lunar New Year and the April 30th holiday, often exceeding the cost of tours to China or Thailand.
High Airfares: A Consistent Factor Across Destinations
The high airfare prices across various destinations, despite the lack of explosive demand, are considered “perfectly normal” by Viet Travel Company representatives. Airlines classify the National Day holiday as a peak season, preventing travel agencies from securing bulk discounts and forcing them to purchase individual tickets at higher prices. This results in a limited availability of lower-priced tickets, leaving only standard or higher fare classes available.
Historically, travelers could secure affordable airfares by planning ahead. However, during peak holiday seasons, airlines often face an imbalance, with high outbound traffic and low inbound traffic, leading to higher prices to compensate for this imbalance.
Domestic Tourism Takes Center Stage
This year, Mr. Vũ predicts that domestic tourism will surpass that of previous years due to a series of major events, although tour prices have increased by 10% due to higher airfares. Domestic tours account for over 60% of Viet Travel Company’s overall offerings for the National Day holiday, compared to outbound tours. The allure of northern Vietnam, coupled with significant historical and cultural events, is drawing many travelers toward domestic options to experience the festive atmosphere and special events. The demand for travel to Hanoi alone has increased over 44 times compared to previous years, driven by the 80th anniversary celebrations.
The significant increase in demand for Hanoi travel during the 80th anniversary celebrations of the August Revolution and National Day highlights the strong pull of major events on domestic tourism in Vietnam.
