Ho Chi Minh City achieved positive tourism results during the nine-day holiday from April 25 to May 3, 2025. Photo: Huu Hanh / Tuoi Tre
The nine-day holiday included the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day, which falls on April 26 or the 10th day of the third lunar month, Reunification Day (April 30), and International Workers’ Day (May 1).
During the period, the city received an estimated 190,000 international visitors and 1.5 million domestic travelers.
This strong performance was thanks to improved regional connectivity and the development of varied destination chains that integrate urban, seaside, ecological, and cultural destinations, helping attract and retain visitors.
Diversified tourism offerings
At the start of the holiday, the city’s tourism sector launched a wide range of promotional activities, introducing nearly 1,000 new products and services. Numerous major events were organized to enhance visitor experiences.
Highlights included the 2026 Banh Mi Festival from April 23 to 26, featuring around 150 booths, along with fireworks displays held at seven locations on the evening of April 30 and large-scale artistic performances.
The city also welcomed a MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) delegation of nearly 890 guests from Indonesia. They stayed at hotels such as Kim Do, Huong Sen, Palace, and Muong Thanh from May 1 to 9.
Tourism companies including Saigontourist, Vietravel, Ben Thanh Tourist, Vietluxtour, Dat Viet Tour, Vina Group, Tugo, Thuan Phong, 4U Tour, Chim Canh Cut Travel, and BestPrice Travel introduced revamped programs, emphasizing cultural and historical experiences combined with multi-modal transport such as road, river, and metro tours.
Notable offerings included the ‘Saigon Special Forces’ tour series, retro vehicle experiences, and journeys connecting to Can Gio, Cu Chi, and Binh Duong.
New eco-tourism, creative tourism, and wellness products were also introduced. High-end experiences such as helicopter tours and five-star cruises contributed to enhancing the city’s tourism image.
Various promotional packages were launched with discounts of up to 41 percent, starting from VND599,000 ($22.8). These offerings ranged from mangrove forest tours and Ho Chi Minh City night exploration to Cho Lon heritage tours, metro journeys, double-decker bus rides, and wellness tourism.
For international visitors, offerings like free walking tours, retro Saigon night rides, Cho Lon night tours, underground exploration experiences, and Ho Chi Minh City tours were further refined and enhanced.
River tourism also flourished with dinner cruises, fireworks viewing, afternoon tea, and sunset experiences on the Saigon River combined with artistic performances.
Shifting toward curated travel offerings
According to Tran Doan The Duy, CEO of Vietravel, travel demand duirng this year’s holiday clearly reflected a shift from simply choosing destinations to selecting more curated vacations that focus on quality, in-depth experiences, and personalization.
Vietravel’s data show that travelers are no longer just seeking famous destinations but are increasingly prioritizing meaningful journeys that connect culture, nature, and local life.
Activities such as exploring traditional crafts, experiencing unique cultural practices, and engaging in sustainable ecological environments are becoming more popular.
This trend is seen as a positive signal for tourism businesses to continue improving service standards and developing products that cater to diverse customer segments, from short trips to in-depth travel experiences, delivering sustainable value and meeting rising expectations.
According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, visitors concentrated in central areas and event venues, with a strong rise in staycations. Budget travelers focused on affordability, while mid- to high-end ones sought new experiences such as night tours, river cruises, and helicopter services.
Vung Tau remained a popular destination with high hotel occupancy rates, mainly attracting visitors from inner Ho Chi Minh City and nearby provinces for two- to three-day beach vacations.
In Binh Duong, day trips and intra-regional tourism grew steadily, particularly with eco-tourism, craft village experiences, and weekend entertainment. Family groups and small groups combining experiences with shopping became increasingly common.
In the accommodation sector, occupancy rates in central Ho Chi Minh City and Vung Tau rose sharply while maintaining sufficient supply.
