Quynh Nga, 29, residing in Phu Tho, shared that she has submitted her South Korea visa application for a 9-day trip along the Seoul - Busan itinerary. "I stayed home with my family during Tet (Lunar New Year), so I want to travel far during the upcoming holiday," she said.

Nga explained that since the two holiday periods are only a few days apart, she decided to request additional leave to extend her travel time. Many of her friends have similar plans, viewing this as an opportunity to "celebrate Tet a second time this year."

According to Pham Van Bay, deputy director of Vietravel's Hanoi branch, immediately after Tet, the number of customers in the northern region interested in tours for the late April holiday increased significantly, by about 15-25% depending on the destination. Meanwhile, Trang An Travel recorded an increase of about 40% in early tour inquiries.

Travelers enjoying spring by the Han River, Da Nang during Tet Binh Ngo. Photo: Nguyen Dong

In the southern region, Tran Thi Bao Thu, marketing and communications director at Vietluxtour, also noted that demand for tours for the late April holiday emerged soon after Tet. Pham Anh Vu, deputy director of Viet Travel Company, stated that this year, Vietnamese travelers are inquiring about tours approximately 3-4 weeks earlier than in previous years.

Domestic tours, especially island and beach routes, along with nearby Asian itineraries, are attracting significant interest. With simple procedures and flexible timing, these product groups are expected to see a strong increase in bookings 4-6 weeks before the holiday.

According to tour operators, Lunar New Year is typically a time when families prioritize reunions. In contrast, the Ancestors' Commemoration Day and April 30th - May 1st period is considered the start of the summer travel season, when the weather is more favorable and travelers are ready for longer trips.

Nguyen Huu Cuong, general director of Trang An Travel, mentioned that popular itineraries include Southeast Asian tours, priced from approximately 12,99 million VND, or overland China tours, priced from 3,99 million VND. "Office workers and young families often use this occasion for longer trips, making up for staying home during Tet," he said.

Tourists having fun in Phu Quoc during Tet. Photo: Duc Hoang

As the two holiday periods this year are only two days apart, some travelers can flexibly request additional leave to create an 8-9 day holiday. This has led to a differentiation in booking behavior.

The first group chooses to travel according to the official schedule, prioritizing 4-5 day tours, mainly domestic routes or short-haul Asian destinations. This group still accounts for a large proportion, especially families with young children or individuals who find it difficult to arrange long periods of leave.

The second group consists of middle-aged travelers or families with flexible schedules, who utilize the holiday to take longer trips.

Within the region, destinations such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Bali (Indonesia) maintain steady appeal. According to Vietluxtour, the number of customers interested in Southeast Asian routes has slightly increased by about 5-10% compared to the same period, mainly due to the nature of short holidays and flight times of only 2-4 hours.

Thousands of tourists from all over flock to Doi Duong - Thuong Chanh beach, Phan Thiet to play and swim. Photo: Viet Quoc

This year, the Vietnamese tour market is also impacted by the conflict in the Middle East, causing some travelers concern about connecting flights through that region.

A Vietluxtour representative stated that for long-haul itineraries like Europe or the US, travelers usually book 2-4 months in advance to complete visa procedures. The company has reviewed flight schedules for tour groups and prepared alternative plans, such as shifting transit points to other airports in Asia or Europe instead of connecting in the Middle East, or utilizing direct flights from Vietnam.

According to Pham Anh Vu, in international tourism, developing backup flight scenarios and diversifying airline partners are standard solutions to respond to geopolitical fluctuations or changes in airline operations.

Alongside the international market, domestic tourism remains a primary choice during short holidays. Destinations such as Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Da Nang - Hoi An, and Phu Yen continue to be popular among many travelers. The current trend favors short trips focused on immersive experiences, combining relaxation, cultural exploration, and local cuisine.

According to tour operators, a positive signal from this year's market is that travelers tend to book services earlier, proactively securing flights and hotels during peak season. This indicates that travel demand is gradually stabilizing after global disruptions.

Tourism companies also recommend that customers book tours early to ensure good prices and secure their desired itinerary, whether for long or short holidays. Major holidays are often peak travel times when airfare and hotel room prices rise quickly, while the number of available tours is limited.

"If domestic airfare is too high compared to service quality, we will push customers out of the domestic tourism market," Vu said.

Phuong Anh