Da Nang and Sa Pa are experiencing high demand for accommodation during the upcoming Hung Kings Commemoration Day and April 30th holidays. Data from Mustgo, an online booking platform with over 2,000 hotel partners nationwide, indicates that hotel occupancy rates for these holidays remain consistent with last year.

In the north, Sa Pa maintains its appeal. Five-star hotels in Sa Pa are reporting approximately 90% occupancy for Hung Kings Commemoration Day, with rates expected to reach 100% closer to the April 30th holiday. Three-star hotels show slower booking rates, around 65-70% for Hung Kings Commemoration Day, but are almost fully booked for the April 30th holiday period. Its proximity to Ha Noi and accessibility by private vehicle contribute to Sa Pa's sustained popularity, especially as airfares rise for the summer season.

Quang Ninh is also a popular destination, partly due to the Ha Long Carnaval 2026 event on 30/4, which offered 20,000 free online tickets. The province also benefits from its closeness to Ha Noi and diverse marine entertainment services. Hotel occupancy in Quang Ninh is around 70-80% for Hung Kings Commemoration Day, with most accommodations nearly fully booked for the April 30th holiday.

Compared to neighboring destinations, Ha Noi is not a primary choice for domestic tourists during the holidays, with inbound travelers accounting for a larger share of guests. Occupancy rates in Ha Noi stand at approximately 40%. Many four- to five-star hotels are offering promotional programs, providing an opportunity for guests to experience premium services at reasonable prices.

Guests paddleboarding at Man Thai beach, Da Nang, April. Photo: Giang Huy

Guests paddleboarding at Man Thai beach, Da Nang, April. Photo: Giang Huy

Da Nang remains a highlight in the central region, with a series of marine tourism programs running from 25/4 to 3/5. These events include artistic kite performances, a pizza festival, the "Summer Wave Challenge" swimming race, and marine sports demonstrations.

According to 16/4 statistics from Agoda, room searches for Da Nang between 24/4 and 2/5 increased by 89% compared to the same period last year. This made Da Nang the second most searched domestic destination, after Vung Tau, for the Hung Kings Commemoration Day and April 30th holidays.

Mustgo's data shows that international five-star beachfront properties in Da Nang reached 90% occupancy for April 30th. Domestic four- to five-star beachfront hotels also achieved 95% occupancy, with domestic guests making up 60% of bookings. Occupancy for Hung Kings Commemoration Day was around 70%.

In Hoi An, the foreign tourist season is winding down, resulting in lower occupancy for small hotels (under 10 rooms) and homestays in the old town during both holidays. A representative from Hoi An Old Town Residence hotel in Cam Chau ward noted that domestic guests prefer resorts and hotels near the beach over the old town, unlike foreign visitors.

Thien Le, a representative of Bellerive Hoi An resort in the Cua Dai beach area, reported that occupancy for the April 30th period is currently at 90%. This slight increase from last year is attributed to a positive shift in customer demographics. During the holiday, international group tours maintained a steady presence, reducing reliance on domestic guests. "Travelers now prioritize secluded resorts that offer comprehensive premium amenities for the summer," he stated.

Tourists at a swimming pool of a resort in the Cua Dai beach area. Photo: Bellerive Hoi An

Tourists at a swimming pool of a resort in the Cua Dai beach area. Photo: Bellerive Hoi An

The extended Hung Kings Commemoration Day holiday, leading into the April 30th break, has led to fully booked accommodations in many small island destinations, notably Ly Son and Phu Quy. High demand combined with limited lodging options forced many tourists to alter their plans at the last minute.

Surveys from online booking platforms and local accommodations show that since early April, occupancy rates on both islands exceeded 90% for peak dates. By the third week of the month, most hotels and homestays, especially in the mid-range segment, reported no vacancies. A few establishments still had a limited number of rooms available, but prices increased by 20-40% compared to regular days.

A representative from Muong Thanh Hotel, which has 93 rooms in Ly Son, mentioned that bookings came earlier this year. "By late March, guests were already finalizing their rooms for the holiday. By around 10/4, we were almost fully booked. There were no vacant rooms from 28/4 to 2/5," the representative said, adding that most guests were families and groups of friends traveling independently.

Phu Quy faced a similar situation, with room occupancy at maximum capacity. The manager of Hoang Phu Hotel stated that bookings surged after the holiday schedule was announced. The hotel is currently not accepting new guests for the four peak days. Some late-contacting guests had to reschedule or opt for shared accommodation.

Beyond limited rooms, transportation to the islands also became a bottleneck due to the restricted number of daily high-speed ferry trips. Many tourists reported that even if they found rooms, they could not secure suitable ferry tickets, leading to cancellations. Ferry companies in Lam Dong and Quang Ngai saw a sharp increase in ticket sales, particularly for morning departures.

Tourists flock to Da Lat on the morning of the 4th day of Tet. Photo: Nguyen Nghia

Tourists flock to Da Lat on the morning of the 4th day of Tet. Photo: Nguyen Nghia

Cool-climate destinations in the Central Highlands continue to attract many visitors. Da Lat and Mang Den reported good room occupancy throughout the holiday period, especially at resorts and homestays with forest or lake views.

Many upscale hotels and resorts in Da Lat, such as Hotel Colline, Mercure, and Da Lat Palace Heritage, noted a steady increase in bookings since early April. "Rooms from 29/4 to 2/5 were fully booked early, mainly by families from TP HCM and southern provinces. Room rates increased slightly but without significant fluctuations," a representative from Hotel Colline stated.

According to Mustgo data, the temporary closure of Lien Khuong Airport negatively impacted Da Lat's overall performance compared to previous years. Three- to four-star hotels achieved only 60-70% occupancy during both holiday periods.

Meanwhile, in Mang Den, the trend of resort tourism and "escaping the heat" continues to drive visitor numbers. Bui Viet Ha, Chairman of the Mang Den Tourism Association, said that guests booked rooms about one week earlier than last year. Establishments offering private spaces and close proximity to nature were fully booked for the holiday.

Nguyen Minh Man, deputy general director of Vina Group Travel, observed that the trend of visiting islands and cool mountainous regions continues to grow strongly after the recovery phase. "Destinations like Ly Son and Phu Quy attract visitors with their pristine landscapes, while Da Lat and Mang Den are suitable for relaxation. However, the accommodation infrastructure in some areas has not kept pace with the rate of visitor growth," Man commented.

Phu Quoc, another major tourist destination in the south, reported moderate holiday occupancy rates. Five-star hotels in the North island area saw about 50% occupancy, while the South island reached approximately 60%, with many villas achieving around 70%, similar to hotels in the city center. Inbound tourists still form the majority, but the proportion of domestic guests is rising, despite high airfares, such as round-trip flights from Ha Noi costing over 7 million VND, depending on flight times.

Given these circumstances, many tourists are shifting to alternative destinations or choosing to travel on off-peak days to avoid crowds. Others are adjusting their itineraries, shortening their stays, or changing their mode of transport.

Tourism experts advise travelers to plan long holidays early, especially for popular destinations. Booking rooms and tickets three to four weeks in advance, or even earlier for peak seasons, helps avoid last-minute complications and high costs.

Tu Nguyen - Tuan Anh