According to travel agencies and travel companies in Ho Chi Minh City, most of visitors booked tours for the holiday three months in advance.

Marketing-Communication Director of TSTtourist Company Nguyen Minh Man said that as this year's holiday is long, so most tourists are opting to travel abroad. He reported that to date, the company has provided tours to 2,000 travellers, with domestic tours accounting for 39% of the figure.

The most booked tours abroad are those travelling to Thailand, Taiwan (China), the Republic of Korea, Japan, the US, Australia, and Europe. Meanwhile, the favourite domestic destinations include Da Nang, Hue, Hoi An, Phu Quoc, Con Dao, and the north-eastern and north-western provinces.

Meanwhile, many people prefer self-discovery trips and design their own short-day tours to nearby destinations, rather than book tours from travel agents.

In Ho Chi Minh City, people are interested in travelling to Nha Trang, Phu Yen, Quy Nhon, and Da Lat.

General Director of Flamingo Redtours Tourism Company Nguyen Cong Hoan said that the number of air passengers decreased significantly as high airfares have led to a 20-30% increase in tour prices.

Therefore, the trend of self-discovery travel to nearby destinations is favoured by many people. The advantage of this type of travel is its high flexibility and saving on airfare costs.

That is the reason why most of popular tourist spots which is less then 300km from the capital city are almost fully booked. Many people decide to spend their holiday at beach resorts in Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, or mountainous destinations like Sa Pa Town (Lao Cai Province), Moc Chau District (Son La Province), Ha Giang Province, and Hoa Binh Province.

Meanwhile in the northern province of Lao Cai, about 98% of hotel rooms; and 80% of facilities in community-based tourism attractions in Sa Pa Town have been booked.

The town is expected to welcome about 200,000 visitors during the five-day holiday.

According to, Vice Chairman of Sa Pa Town People's Committee Do Van Tan, the local tourism sector will host a wide range of cultural activities and festivals on the occasion.

Prominent examples include a rose festival, a street carnival themed ‘Sa Pa - Land of Love’, cultural performances on the main roads of the town, and a festival honouring Dao ethnic culture.

A tourist trekking to Bai Tho Mountain. (Photo: VOV)

On the occasion, Ha Long City in the northern province of Quang Binh has launched new tourist products, including on Ha Long Bay, and inaugurated a walking street at the Long Tien Pagoda area and a trekking route to Bai Tho Mountain.

Yen Bai Province is also a favourite destination for tourists who want to explore the cultural colours of ethnic minorities in the Northwest region.

Visitors to the province can take part in a contest on performing ‘Xoe’ folk art form will be held in Nghia Lo Town in the evenings of April 28 and 29. They can also join exciting water entertainment activities and culinary experiences in Thac Ba Lake area.

Paragliding festival offers stunning aerial views of Mu Cang Chai terraces in Yen Bai province (Photo: Vietwings Hanoi)

A paragliding festival themed ‘Flying over the pouring water season’ will be held at Khau Pha Pass, Mu Cang Chai District, promising to attract adventure lovers. The festival will also feature assorted folk games, performances of Hmong panpipes, and a contest on making ‘banh day’ (round glutinous rice cake).

In Thanh Hoa Province, Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Pham Nguyen Hong revealed that the locality has planned a wide range of activities to entertain visitors during the upcoming five-day holiday.

Accordingly, the Hai Tien and Hai Hoa tourist sites will host sea tourism festivals with unique and impressive art. Meanwhile, a flower street space, performances of folklore art, a fashion show honouring Ao Dai and costumes of ethnic minority groups, and photo exhibitions will be organised at Hoi An Cultural Park in Lam Son Ward, Thanh Hoa City.