Hanoi (VNA) – With a four-day break (August 30 – September 2), this year’s National Day holiday is regarded as a “golden opportunity” to accelerate tourism growth, particularly in the domestic market. A range of promotional campaigns and new tourism products have been launched to capture growing traveller demand.

According to travel agencies, as early as July, the September 2 travel market has already become active. Domestic tour sales heated up day by day, especially for Hanoi, which is hosting a series of events rich in historical and cultural significance during the break, notably a large-scale parade and march marking the 80th anniversary of National Day at Ba Dinh Square.

Statistics from the online travel platform Booking.com show that the capital city now tops the list of most searched destinations by Vietnamese travellers for this year’s National Day, climbing from seventh place in 2024 to first place. Data from Agoda also indicate that searches for accommodation in Hanoi during the holiday period have risen more than 44-fold compared to last year. Many hotels near event venues, such as around Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter, and Ba Dinh Square, have been fully booked well in advance.

Nguyen Van Tai, General Director of Vietsense Travel, noted that domestic tourism is seeing a clear shift in destination trends. In previous years, Hanoi and northern provinces were typically “source markets” sending travellers elsewhere, but this year they have become “magnets” attracting visitors from the south and central regions.

Notably, many satellite destinations such as Bac Ninh, Ha Long, Ninh Binh, and the East–West Northern route have benefited from the capital’s tourism boom, as travellers often combine them into their itineraries. According to Tai, bookings for tours to Hanoi and northern provinces during this period have doubled or even tripled compared to the same period in previous years, with some tours scheduled for mid-September and early October already booked.

Saigontourist Travel has also reported a significant number of southern visitors registering for northern tours, including many overseas Vietnamese from Germany and Australia. Among these, the Hanoi–Sa Pa combination tour is the most popular choice thanks to its cool climate, beautiful landscapes, and unique cultural experiences.

Recognising this year’s National Day holiday as a “springboard” for Hanoi tourism in particular and northern tourism in general, the capital’s tourism sector has proactively developed new offerings, including one-day city tours, suburban tours, cultural and culinary discovery tours, and linked tours with other northern destinations – all aimed at diversifying visitor experiences.

Significantly, many attractions in the capital such as the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Vietnam National Museum of History, the Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, the Vietnam Contemporary Art Theatre, and the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism will open free of charge during the holiday.

🦂 According to several travel companies, while a surge in bookings is tied to visitors attending commemorative events in Hanoi, some travellers are opting for coastal destinations such as Thanh Hoa, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc for relaxation, while others prefer regional tours exploring local attractions following administrative mergers./.