Vietnamese travelers are gearing up for the upcoming Tet Nguyên Đán holiday of 2025, which promises nine days of festivities, perfect for family and friend gatherings and exciting travel adventures. This year, the travel market has started to heat up about three months prior to the holiday, with numerous travel agencies offering diverse itineraries.
According to travel consultant Vũ Thị Bích Huệ from Flamingo Redtours, tours with average or longer durations to destinations like Thailand, South Korea, Japan, China, Laos, and Cambodia are particularly favored by Vietnamese travelers. Tour packages costing less than 20 million VND ($850) for 4-5 days are highly popular among those planning their trips. Notably, there has been significant interest from seasoned travelers seeking new explorations, especially to less-traveled routes to Laos and Cambodia.
The appeal of these locations is boosted by simple travel procedures, warm weather, and cultural similarities. Flamingo Redtours states they have successfully achieved almost 100% of their holiday business goals, primarily through outbound tour packages.
Similarly, Saigontourist has enhanced its offerings by launching Tet tours with discounts up to 10 million VND for early bookings. Viet Travel has introduced attractive promotions such as 'buy one get three,' appealing to families booking early. The inclination for overseas travel this Tet stems not only from the longer holiday duration but also from travelers wanting to avoid the crowded domestic markets and fluctuated prices for food, transport, and entertainment during Christmas.
Data gathered by Booking.com reveals the top ten domestic destinations sought by Vietnamese travelers during Tet, including Đà Lạt, Nha Trang, Phú Quốc, Đà Nẵng, Hồ Chí Minh City, Vũng Tàu, Hà Nội, Mũi Né, Hội An, and Sa Pa. Leading the list is Đà Lạt, which has witnessed a staggering 300% increase in search interest compared to the previous year.
The beginning of the Lunar New Year also marks festival season for numerous northern regions such as Hà Giang, Cao Bằng, and Yên Bái. Many travelers are choosing these areas to explore both nature and the culinary traditions of ethnic minorities, particularly at popular sites like Y Tý, Sa Pa, Mộc Châu, Mai Châu, Mù Cang Chải, and Bản Giốc Waterfall.
A trend of self-organized travel has emerged, with many tourists opting for road trips. Consequently, travel companies are responding by providing customized combo packages, blending accommodation with entertainment options or coupling flights with hotel arrangements.
The domestic Tet travel market is also set for increased activity with the anticipated influx of international visitors to Vietnam. Agoda's statistics indicate substantial growth, showing a 139% increase in lodging searches from international guests between November 27 and December 21, 2024, leading up to the inset of Tet on January 25, 2025, with Chinese visitors accounting for nearly 300% of this growth.
Notable destinations attracting foreign interest include Phú Quốc, Đà Lạt, and Nha Trang. Experts predict this upcoming Tet will be exceptionally vibrant, advising local governments and destination management organizations to utilize digital data analytics for effectively managing visitor volume and ensuring sustainable tourism practices.
Despite global economic uncertainties, consumer spending patterns indicate travelers are becoming increasingly discerning, prompting experts to urge caution against potentially misleading travel promotions, particularly those offering steep discounts online.
Various regions across Vietnam are stepping up efforts to stimulate tourism by organizing exciting events, including art fairs, flower exhibitions, sports competitions, and Tet fairs. Notable activities planned for Hồ Chí Minh City include the "Mừng Xuân Ất Tỵ - Mừng Đảng Quang Vinh" exhibition and boat flower markets, whereas Hanoi will host numerous unique events such as cultural festivals and traditional performances.
With increased demand for transport during Tet, the Vietnamese aviation authorities are coordinating with airlines to amplify flight availability on high-occupancy routes, and railway services are also expected to run additional trains connecting major cities.
Looking to the future, trends suggest post-Tet travel will follow suit as travelers who are unable to vacation during the holiday seek tours to Japan, South Korea, or China for cherry blossom viewing. Major travel platforms forecast 2025 will highlight family-oriented and multi-generational travel, focusing on relaxation and immersive experiences, alongside the continued rise of tech-friendly travel solutions.
The positive signs observed within the Tet holiday travel market are indicative of potential growth for Vietnam's tourism sector as 2025 approaches. New and innovative offerings are expected to emerge, enhancing the overall travel experience for both domestic and international visitors. With reports forecasting strong tourist turnovers and continuous interest from investors, Vietnam's tourism stands poised to thrive as it embraces creative trends leading the way forward.
Overall, with the Tet holiday breaks increasingly becoming synonymous with travel adventures—be it locally or abroad—the Vietnamese public is certainly all set to welcome one of the nation's most celebrated holidays with excitement and exploration.