Quality over quantity the new logic of Ho Chi Minh city travel

Saigon Tours - The April 30th–May 1st holiday saw a large influx of visitors, but travel behavior has changed. In this context, Ho Chi Minh City is showing signs of shifting from a transit hub to an experiential destination, clearly reflecting the changing market.

After the April 30th - May 1st holiday in 2026, tourist numbers remained high, but the way Vietnamese people travel has changed. Instead of focusing on long trips or crowded destinations, many are opting for shorter trips, concentrating on specific experiences. This shift shows that the market is not only recovering in terms of quantity but is also changing its growth pattern.

The recent holiday period recorded over 12 million visitors nationwide, with many localities achieving significant revenue such as Ho Chi Minh City with approximately 8,700 billion VND and Da Nang with over 5,700 billion VND. However, the flow of tourists is no longer concentrated in a few specific times or destinations as before.

The fact that the two holidays are close together encourages tourists to proactively break down their plans and travel in multiple trips. Local authorities are also introducing new products, from night tours to eco-tourism experiences, helping to alleviate pressure on the city center.

The key takeaway lies in how travelers manage their time and budget. Instead of opting for long trips with packed itineraries, many people shorten their journeys but dedicate more time to each experience.

Slow travel models or short vacations are no longer experimental but have become a popular choice. This has led to a shift in destination selection criteria, with the experiential element becoming more important than the number of destinations.

This shift in behavior is closely linked to infrastructure and market operations. Increased flights, expanded highways, and the addition of waterway transport help shorten travel times. As time costs decrease, tourism is no longer confined to a single long vacation, but can be broken down into multiple trips throughout the year. Simultaneously, stimulus programs and flexible product offerings further reinforce this trend.

Within that overall picture, Ho Chi Minh City stands out as a clear example of market shifts. During the nine peak days, the city welcomed approximately 1.7 million visitors, including 190,000 international tourists, generating total revenue of around 8,700 billion VND.

What's noteworthy is not just the scale, but the way the city organizes its products. Instead of relying on its previous role as a transit hub, Ho Chi Minh City is shifting towards building an experiential ecosystem right in the heart of the city. A series of events such as the Tourism Festival, the Bread Festival, art programs, and fireworks displays have created reasons for tourists to stay longer.

Alongside this is the revitalization of traditional tours with a focus on specific themes. Programs such as heritage itineraries, river experiences, metro tours, classic car tours, or expansion to Can Gio and Cu Chi demonstrate efforts to extend tourism beyond the central area. The emergence of products like helicopter tours, cruises, and night tours also reflects a trend towards enhancing experiential value rather than simply increasing the number of destinations.

From a market perspective, Ho Chi Minh City is no longer just a place to "pass through," but is becoming a destination capable of retaining tourists with multi-layered experiences, from culture and cuisine to high-end services.

The shift towards "travel less but deeply" is creating a new growth logic for the entire industry. Businesses are no longer competing solely on the number of customers, but must increase the value of each experience. Shorter stays force accommodation providers, travel agencies, and destinations to optimize services within a short period, while also developing additional products to retain tourists.

In this context, the role of the destination is also changing. Resource advantages are no longer the sole determining factor; instead, the ability to design experiences and organize products has become the core competitive element. Localities that proactively innovate products, expand spaces, and connect infrastructure will have a distinct advantage in adapting to this trend.

What happened after the April 30th - May 1st holiday shows that Vietnamese tourism is entering a restructuring phase. Growth is no longer measured primarily by the number of visitors, but is gradually shifting towards the quality of experiences and spending levels. In this context, the question is not about how many more tourists to attract, but how the market will adapt to a tourism model that operates on many short trips but demands increasingly deeper experiences.

Source: https://saigontraveltour.com/sai-gon-travel-blog/beyond-a-transit-hub-how-ho-chi-minh-city-keeps-visitors-longer/

Quang Ninh tourism records strong growth across beaches and islands

Halong cruise tours - During this year's April 30th - May 1st holiday, Quang Ninh's coastal and island tourism continued to "boom" with a high increase in visitors, especially on the islands of Co To, Quan Lan - Minh Chau... The proactive preparation of localities, service businesses, and relevant agencies contributed to providing tourists with exciting and attractive experiences.

During the three-day holiday, the number of visitors passing through Ao Tien High-Class Port to the islands of Co To, Quan Lan, and Minh Chau reached over 30,000, a significant increase compared to previous holidays. From early morning, the port area was bustling with activity; boats continuously departed, transporting tourists to various destinations. This demonstrates the increasing attractiveness and the growing trend of tourists returning to these island destinations. Co To, Quan Lan, and Minh Chau continue to impress with their pristine beauty, clear blue beaches, and peaceful atmosphere – factors increasingly favored in resort tourism.

On April 30 alone, the Van Don Special Economic Zone welcomed approximately 32,000 visitors for sightseeing and relaxation, with over 12,000 of them visiting the islands.

Besides the natural scenery, tourists particularly enjoy hands-on experiences such as strolling along the beach, cycling through pine forests, savoring fresh seafood, and participating in activities that reflect the local culture.

Ms. Hang from Hung Yen province said: "I have traveled to many places, but I still like to return to Quan Lan - Minh Chau because the sea is clean, the air is fresh, the services are becoming increasingly professional, and it still retains its pristine beauty".

Mr. Duc from Hai Phong also said: "Co To is now more convenient to travel to, has good services, reasonable prices, fresh air, and is not as crowded as some other tourist destinations. This is why I chose to bring my family there for the holiday".

The combination of pristine natural beauty and increasingly improved service quality is helping Quang Ninh's island routes become attractive destinations, not only during holidays but also maintaining a stable appeal throughout the summer tourist season.

To ensure convenience and safety for tourists traveling to and from the islands, weeks before the holiday, the port system, water transport units, and relevant agencies proactively developed appropriate operational plans and strategies, effectively utilizing existing infrastructure.

The Executive Director of Ao Tien High-Class Port said: "We have coordinated with relevant units to develop a reasonable ship regulation plan, increase manpower, arrange information counters, and scientifically manage traffic flow to ensure passengers move quickly and safely, preventing congestion".

Not only at the Ao Tien high-end port, but also at other ports and tourist destinations on the island, plans have been proactively implemented to welcome visitors, manage traffic flow, and deploy support forces. Security, environmental sanitation, and rescue operations are being carried out synchronously, contributing to building a safe and friendly tourism environment.

Ms. Ha from Hanoi said: "We were very impressed with the professionalism from the boat transportation to the services on the island. Everything was convenient, with no crowding or price gouging".

To meet the increased passenger demand, waterway transport companies have proactively increased trip frequency, conducted thorough vehicle inspections, and ensured sufficient life jackets and other safety measures before departure. A representative from Hoang Vy Transport and Tourism Company Limited stated: "The company has increased the number of daily trips and instructed crew members to strictly adhere to safety regulations, not to exceed the permitted passenger capacity, and to ensure the absolute safety of passengers throughout the journey"

Prior to the holiday, accommodation and food service establishments on the islands proactively prepared with sufficient facilities, personnel, and supplies. In the Quan Lan - Minh Chau area and the Co To special zone, many accommodations were fully booked early. Restaurants increased their stock of fresh seafood and essential goods to meet the high demand from tourists.

Ms. Trang, owner of Trang Dinh restaurant (Minh Chau Island), said: "We prepared our food supplies about a week before the holiday and increased our staff to ensure the best quality service for tourists"

One positive aspect of this year's tourism season is the public and transparent pricing displayed by service businesses. Local authorities have intensified inspections and supervision to prevent price gouging, contributing to building a civilized and friendly image for Quang Ninh tourism.

Ms. Nguyen, Deputy Head of the Culture and Social Affairs Department of Van Don Special Economic Zone, said: "Even before the Hung Kings Commemoration Day holiday, the locality proactively implemented plans to welcome domestic and international tourists. 100% of tourism businesses were required to publicly display prices and sell at the listed prices. Inter-agency inspection teams were maintained regularly throughout the holiday and the peak summer tourist season".

In addition, food safety and hygiene are given special attention. Inter-agency inspection teams are increasing surprise inspections at restaurants and food processing and trading establishments, promptly detecting and correcting violations, contributing to ensuring the rights and health of tourists.

The vibrant activity of Quang Ninh's coastal and island tourism during the April 30th - May 1st holiday not only reflects the growing appeal of these destinations but also demonstrates the effectiveness of management, organization, and service quality improvement. With comprehensive and systematic preparation, Quang Ninh continues to affirm its position as a leading coastal and island tourism destination in Northern Vietnam, contributing to economic growth and promoting the local image to domestic and international tourists.

Source: https://halong-tour.com/travelnews/summer-season-promises-strong-tourism-of-quang-ninh.php