In the context that national borders have been closed to international tourism since early 2020, domestic tourism is a ‘lifebuoy’ rescuing the whole industry from the havoc wreaked by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The giant Apricot bloosom in Yen Tu Relic Complex, Quang Ninh. Photo: Legacy Yen Tu- MGallery

Hoang Nhan Chinh, Head of the Secretariat of the Tourism Advisory Council (TAB) hoped that the holiday of April 30 and May 1 would boost up the domestic tourism market. A recent survey by TAB shows that 30% of tourists are willing to travel on this holiday and more than half of them are ready to go on vacation and explore this summer.

As such, stimulating the travel demand in Vietnam is considered a solution for the national tourism sector. Travel agencies have launched various promotional packages in April with the aim of enticing people to travel.

Hotels and resorts to offer giant promotions in April

The Lotte Hotel Hanoi is offering a promotion entitled “Holiday Recharge Package”, aiming at local family, starting at VND5,500,000 (US$240) per room per night. The booking and stay date are valid until May 3. 

The “Holiday Recharge Package” is on offer at Lotte Hotel Hanoi. Photo: Huong Thao

The package includes accommodation, daily buffet breakfast for up to two adults and two children, an afternoon tea experience, a food & beverage voucher credit of VND3,000,000 ($130), a complimentary late check-out until 4pm, and a courtesy of up to four tickets to enjoy city view at Observatory Deck. This promotional package is applied for bookings with a minimum of two consecutive nights.

In addition, the hotel has also introduced a new brunch concept that is offered every weekday. The Grill63’s brunch is a great blend of selection of culinary quintessence on the buffet and Chef’s recommendation with main course of diners’ choices to be served at table. Choices of main courses are including Angus US beef, pasta and grilled seafood plate.

Travelers who own an Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) membership card of the Ascott’s properties such as Somerset Westlake Hanoi, Somerset Grand Hanoi, Somerset West Point Hanoi or Citadines Hotel Danang will have chance to enjoy a great reward when spending their holiday in April. ASR members who have booked and completed their stay in April can receive bonus points for their stays. ASR members who have booked a room from April 16-30, will receive 2,000 bonus points each night. 

Photo: Ascott International Management, Vietnam.

They can also purchase ASR points directly and use the points when they are ready to rediscover travel or towards their next staycation. From April 1-30, ASR members can purchase from as little as $100 worth of ASR points to start earning bonus points.

The Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake hotel has special offer for accommodations in April, starting at VND 2,450,000 ($100) per room per night stay. It also offers 20% discount on all the hotel’s food and beverage services and an afternoon tea set in F29 Lounge & Restaurant. 

The gold-plated infinity swimming pool at Dolce by Wyndham Hanoi Golden Lake hotel. Photo: Dinh Le Thanh Huong

Sheraton Hanoi Hotel promotes the charm of Hanoi Westlake and domestic travel with “Westlake Retreat” staycation package that booking time is valid in May 31 and staying period is valid until December 31.

The price is at VND2,400,000 ($100) for single occupancy and VND2,975,000 ($130) for double occupancy, including a buffet breakfast, a special set dinner, a signature cocktail drink with light snack per person per night at Bar Déjà Vu, and complimentary early check in at 9am and late check out at 3pm as well as the policy of room upgrading.

Travelers who book three accommodations at The Grand Ho Tram Resort & Casino in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province three days in advance will enjoy 20% discount. Travelers who make a reservation directly at the resort will receive a 25% discount on special drinks packages at Roxy Night Club.

The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram Strip golf course.

Especially for those who love golf, The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram Strip golf course has a variety of attractive incentive programs. From now until May 31, when playing 10 rounds of golf at The Bluffs on weekdays within a month, golfers will be awarded one round of 18 holes free of charge at The Bluffs golf course at the weekday.

Members of The Bluffs gold course enjoys a discounted price on services, at only VND2,550,600 ($110) per person per 18-hole- golfing round of, applied from Monday to Thursday until April 23.

Localities join the promotional races

Along with hotels and resorts, some provinces throughout the nation also offer promotion program on the occasion of April 30 and May 1 holiday. Quang Ninh province has held 31 tourism stimulating programs from January until May this year. The highlight of the series of activities to stimulate tourism in this period is the Ha Long Cultural Tourism Week 2021 that will open on the holidays.

The Yen Tu Relic Complex. Photo: Legacy Yen Tu - MGallery

Responding to tourism stimulus policies of Quang Ninh province, Yen Tu relic offers free tickets to monuments and landscapes on holidays and halve  the fare for the rest of the year in 2021. The cable car fare is reduced by 25% for the whole year.

Danang plans to launch the ‘Danang By Night’ tourism program on April 30 with various activities such as: artistic lighting show on the Han River and some high-rise buildings in the city, as well as street art festivals.

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism also offers nearly 200 travel products with discounts from 10 to 50%, applicable to 30 short-term tours (one to three days) exploring Ho Chi Minh City and hundreds of tour routes connecting provinces and cities in the Mekong Delta.