Parades, Concerts, and Cultural Tours Drive Vietnam’s Holiday Travel Boom

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National Day boosts Hanoi tourism

The grand celebration of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day on September 2 is set to take place in Hanoi, promising spectacular parades and processions. The capital is becoming a magnet for both domestic and international tourists. Although the holiday is still nearly a month away, the number of bookings for tours to Hanoi and northern provinces has surged dramatically, creating an unprecedented buzz around event-based travel packages.

Ha Noi has emerged as the most sought-after destination for Vietnamese tourists during the upcoming National Day holiday. (Photo: nhandan.vn)

Major travel agencies in Ho Chi Minh City report a highly vibrant atmosphere as they prepare for the National Day tour season. Remarkably, despite being in the height of summer travel, these companies have swiftly rolled out numerous new offerings for the four-day holiday period, with Hanoi-themed tours taking center stage.

According to Doan Thi Thanh Tra, Deputy General Director of Saigontourist Travel Service Co., Ltd., this year’s tour programs for the National Day holiday have been enhanced to include the parade and procession in Hanoi, prompting the company to expand its initial plan by twofold to meet the sudden spike in customer demand.

“We have observed a significant number of overseas Vietnamese returning home and registering for tours that include the parade experience. For this specific tour alone, about 80% of participants are overseas Vietnamese from countries such as Australia, Germany, and the United States. They usually travel with family members, creating an unprecedented early booking wave. The 80th National Day event has ignited strong demand for tours in the North,” she added.

Similarly, Tran Phuong Linh, Director of Marketing and Information Technology at BenThanh Tourist, shared that the company had proactively planned to launch more than 30 tour programs, both domestic and international, for the holiday. Among the highlights are two special itineraries themed “In Harmony with the National Concert,” covering Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Trang An and Hanoi - Ha Long. Each journey spans four days, including two nights in Hanoi to allow guests to fully immerse themselves in the autumn atmosphere and attend the parade and procession events. “While demand has not yet peaked, bookings are steadily increasing and are expected to surge from mid-August as the holiday approaches,” she stated.

The appeal of parade tours, especially from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, has driven up demand for associated services such as airfares and hotel rooms. As recorded in early August, flight prices on the Ho Chi Minh City - Hanoi route between August 30 and September 2 have doubled or even tripled compared to regular days. However, ticket availability remains very limited, with most remaining seats offered at less favorable hours or by lesser-known airlines.

A boost for the year-end travel market

According to travel companies, this year’s National Day holiday on September 2 sees tourists divided into two main groups when selecting tours. The first group comprises those who enjoy major national events and seek historically and politically themed experiences. These travelers typically choose Hanoi and the mountainous northern regions. The second group includes those looking for relaxation, who prefer coastal destinations such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Thanh Hoa to avoid the crowds.

Despite the ongoing summer travel peak, the surge in demand for September 2 tours has become a vital catalyst, opening up strong recovery opportunities for the tourism industry in the final months of the year. In particular, the 80th anniversary of National Day has generated a positive “ripple effect,” boosting tourism services, especially in the North. Tours to Hanoi-particularly those tied to the “National Concert” event, are attracting significant attention, with many already sold out.

Many travel agencies expect that if the September 2 tour season proceeds smoothly, it will serve as an important springboard for the autumn-winter travel season, as well as major holidays such as Christmas and New Year. To seize this opportunity, a number of companies have already begun planning year-end tours, continuing to develop the model that combines events, cultural experiences, and relaxation, mirroring the success of the current parade-themed tours in Hanoi.

Doan Thi Thanh Tra shared: “The 80th National Day celebration is not just a commemorative event, it’s also a driving force for the tourism industry. We hope to leverage this moment to build momentum for our year-end business plans, as travel demand continues to grow.”

Tran Phuong Linh, Director of Marketing and Information Technology at BenThanh Tourist, said the company is currently surveying customer feedback on event-based tour packages in order to develop long-term strategies. These tourism products target travelers who seek in-depth cultural and historical experiences, offering a distinct alternative to traditional leisure tours.

“The positive signals from the September 2 parade tours and the 'National Concert' in the capital reflect a strong resurgence in domestic travel centered around symbolic and historical themes. Patriotism is being reignited not only among local residents but also among overseas Vietnamese returning to celebrate National Day, joining in the flow of history. This is a clear testament to the power of tourism in fostering community connection and national pride in Vietnam,” Linh remarked.

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