Many tours fully booked
The five-day National Day holiday period is providing a significant boost to the tourism market. Data from Trip.com shows that hotel bookings increased 106%, while flight bookings rose 25% compared with the same period in 2025.
Travel companies are also reporting strong demand. Bui Thanh Tu, a representative of BestPrice Travel said average occupancy for its National Day travel products reached around 80-85%, with some flights offering convenient schedules or competitive fares already fully booked.
“Travellers tend to favour three- to five-day trips to nearby destinations, with moderate itineraries and reasonable costs. Families with young children, groups of friends and middle-aged travellers account for the largest share of bookings,” Tu said.
For domestic travel, Da Nang-Hoi An, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, Da Lat, Ha Long and Sa Pa are among the most popular destinations.
Travelers seek the right way to travel, not just a destination
One notable change in this year’s market is the growing demand for personalised and flexible travel arrangements.
Alongside package tours, travelers are increasingly interested in flight-hotel packages, family-oriented resorts and individual services such as flights, accommodation and experiences booked separately.
BenThanh Tourist reported that demand for the National Day holiday has been relatively stable, with the company having completed around 90% of its seasonal business target.
“Package tours are popular among families and groups, but demand for individually selected services is growing as travelers seek greater control over their itineraries and spending,” Tran Phuong Linh, director of Marketing and Information Technology at Ben Thanh Tourist, shared.
“At the same time, more travellers are booking individual services such as flights, accommodation and activities separately, giving them greater flexibility in planning and better control over spending,” Linh added.
The trend is also reflected in data from online platforms. Booking.com said 57% of Vietnamese travelers plan to visit beach destinations, while 46% want to travel to places associated with nature and mountains.
Da Nang topped the list of domestic destinations attracting the most searches, followed by Nha Trang, Hoi An, Vung Tau, Phu Quoc, Hue, Quy Nhon, Phan Thiet and Ha Long. Da Lat also stood out for its pleasant climate and the reopening of Lien Khuong Airport on August 19.
The data show that beaches and nature are two major themes in domestic travel during the five-day break, while the ways travelers approach their trips are becoming increasingly diverse, ranging from resort stays and exploration to self-planned journeys.
Overseas travel favours nearby, accessible destinations
The holiday travel trend is not limited to domestic destinations. Some Vietnamese travelers are heading overseas, but they tend to favour destinations that are nearby, easily accessible by air and suitable for shorter trips.
Trip.com data show that mainland China was the most popular international destination among Vietnamese travelers on the platform, accounting for nearly 40% of international flight bookings and 63% of overseas hotel bookings.
Travelers heading to China also tend to stay longer and book more rooms per trip. Beijing stood out in terms of flight bookings, while accommodation demand was spread across cities including Shanghai, Hangzhou, Wuzhen and Guangzhou.
Meanwhile, Booking.com said 88% of Vietnamese travelers consider convenient transportation and easy accessibility the most important factors when choosing an overseas destination.
Bangkok topped the list of most-searched international cities, followed by Seoul, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo - all destinations with convenient air connections to Vietnam.
The trend suggests that for a five-day holiday, Vietnamese travelers are balancing time, cost and experience. Destinations that are easier to reach by air are more likely to be chosen for shorter trips.
Tourism market moves toward greater personalisation
Data on bookings and feedback from travel companies point to a clear trend that Vietnamese travelers continue to have strong demand for travel, but increasingly want trips tailored to their individual needs and budgets.
That could mean a beach holiday with family, a nature-focused trip with friends, a package tour to save time, or a self-designed itinerary with individual services booked separately.
The shift presents new requirements for tourism businesses. Destinations alone are no longer enough; companies need to offer multiple layers of products, from accommodation and transportation to experiences, while making it easy for customers to combine services according to their preferences.
The National Day holiday is therefore not only creating another peak period for Vietnam’s tourism industry, but also highlighting a broader shift in the market, from “where to go” to “how to travel,” with greater flexibility, personalisation and emphasis on experience.
