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Da Lat remains a top domestic destination for tourists. Photo: Linh Trang

Recently, the booking platform Booking.com released a list of the top 10 domestic and 10 international destinations most favored by Vietnamese tourists during the September 2nd holiday. The data is based on searches, bookings, and check-ins from August 31st to September 3rd.

Varun Grover, Country Director for Vietnam at Booking.com, noted that the September 2nd holiday is an opportunity for families to enjoy memorable time together before the new school year begins.

This year’s travel trends show that Vietnamese tourists are looking for vacations that combine various experiences, from cultural exploration to relaxation at mountain resorts or sunny beaches.

According to the statistics, Vietnamese travelers tend to choose experiences that offer both relaxation and exploration.

Da Lat tops the list of domestic destinations, favored for its beautiful landscapes, cool weather, romantic and peaceful atmosphere, and delicious cuisine. Da Lat has maintained its position as the most visited destination by Vietnamese tourists during the National Day holiday for five consecutive years.

Other destinations in the top 10 include Da Nang, Vung Tau, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, Sa Pa, and Hue.

Phan Thiet makes its debut in the rankings, partly due to the operation of the Dau Giay - Phan Thiet expressway, which has made travel more convenient and reduced travel time.

For international destinations, given the four-day holiday is not long enough for distant travel, Asia-Pacific destinations are the top choices for Vietnamese tourists.

Bangkok (Thailand) is the most selected city, followed by Tokyo (Japan), Seoul (South Korea), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Singapore, Hong Kong (China), Taipei (Taiwan - China), Sydney (Australia), Bali (Indonesia), and Chiang Mai (Thailand).

These destinations are all vibrant cities with diverse experiences, rich cuisine, and convenient shopping opportunities.

According to Thuy Tran, CEO of Vivu Journeys Vietnam, there is significant interest in popular domestic locations such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Da Lat. Resort destinations like Con Dao, Ly Son, Phu Quoc, and Sa Pa are also attracting attention.

"Tour and holiday package costs during the September 2nd holiday may be slightly lower compared to recent major holidays like Lunar New Year and April 30th, due to a slight decrease in airfare prices. However, this decrease depends on the timing of service bookings and the popularity of the destination.

Typically, customers can find better deals if they book early and are flexible with travel dates. If booking during peak holiday periods, airfare prices will still be quite high," Thuy noted.

Speaking to VietNamNet, Bui Thanh Tu, Marketing Director of Best Price Travel, said that about three weeks before the September 2nd holiday, mid-range and high-end international tours to Japan, South Korea, and China offered by his company were fully booked.

These tours usually depart on August 29th, 30th, and 31st, with itineraries of 5 days and 4 nights. Tour costs during the September 2nd holiday are about 20% higher than usual.

For domestic tours, according to Tu, tourists tend to book closer to the holiday date. Prices for domestic tours during this holiday have not fluctuated much compared to the same period last year and are lower compared to the April 30th - May 1st holiday earlier this year.

Linh Trang