The workation style, combining work and vacation, is increasingly becoming a preferred choice for office employees, freelancers, and individuals who can work remotely. This approach helps optimize costs and allows them to enjoy peaceful environments.

Office worker travelers prefer mid-week getaways to save costs. *Photo: Vietnam Airlines*

Nguyen Ha Hai An, a 25-year-old office employee in Ha Noi, shared that for about three years, she has frequently taken mid-week leave for travel. According to Hai An's calculations, each such trip saves her approximately 30% of the total cost compared to weekend or holiday departures. She regularly hunts for tickets on Vietnam Airlines' "Glorious Thursday" promotion, receiving discounts of up to 15% on domestic routes. Furthermore, instead of choosing prime flight times around noon to check into hotels, Hai An typically opts for early morning departures and late evening returns. She noted that these time slots offer cheaper fares and provide travelers with more time to explore destinations.

Similarly, Bao Ngan, a marketing employee in TP HCM, booked her Da Nang trip 30 days in advance to receive a 10% discount from the airline. She mentioned that business class fares could see discounts of up to 20%. According to Ngan, flying with major airlines like Vietnam Airlines helps her ensure her itinerary, minimizing flight delays that could disrupt her work and leisure plans.

Surveys from travel agencies indicate that many office employees prioritize domestic self-guided tours, traveling solo, with friends, relatives, or family. When choosing transportation, Vietnam Airlines is a top consideration for many travelers due to its extensive route network and stable flight frequency, which suits the planning needs for short trips.

In recent years, Vietnamese travelers have shown a clear trend of maximizing their leave time to explore destinations. Instead of selecting ideal flight times to arrive just in time for hotel check-in, travelers this year are more inclined to choose early morning flights and late evening returns.

A significant appeal of workations is the opportunity to leverage lower service prices during the mid-week. Travel agencies report that airfares, hotel rooms, and various tourism services often see substantial reductions from tuesday to thursday compared to weekends. This period experiences lower travel demand, providing travelers with more choices at reasonable costs.

According to data from Booking.com, coastal cities like Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Quy Nhon, and Vung Tau consistently top the search lists for Vietnamese travelers during the summer. These locations boast robust telecommunications infrastructure and diverse accommodation options, making them suitable for remote work. Traveloka data also reflects a strong increase in demand for these coastal cities, attributed to their harmonious blend of leisure and culinary experiences. Phu Quoc, in particular, attracts travelers seeking to extend their stays to 4 to 5 days, allowing them to combine work with island and beach experiences.

Many young people are adopting a "three-day work, two-day leisure" model. They typically fly to their destination on monday evening or tuesday morning, work remotely for the initial days, and then dedicate the entire weekend to relaxation before returning. To meet this demand, airlines are continuously launching promotional programs. Vietnam Airlines is currently running its "Brilliant Summer Welcome - Hunt for Flights Now!" campaign, offering competitive prices on routes connecting Ha Noi and TP HCM to Da Nang, Nha Trang, or Phu Quoc. The airline also introduces combo packages that include both flights and hotels to help passengers optimize their budgets.

Additionally, promotional programs for Lotusmiles members and golden hour discounts further expand opportunities for those with flexible schedules.

Thanh Thu