With Liberation Day and International Workers' Day just around the corner, Vietnamese travelers are making the most of the long weekend to plan their getaways. Accommodation booking platform Booking.com has just revealed the domestic and international destinations most sought after by Vietnamese travelers for the upcoming five-day break.

Hanoi girl and Bombax Ceiba in the flowering season. Photo: Hue Chi

According to the website's Travel Predictions 2024, local travelers wish to seek coastal escapes where the climate is cooler as temperatures continue to rise.

Enjoy Hanoi’s lush green trees

Hanoi is known as the largest green space of all Vietnamese cities, including many old trees that have been part of the lives of local people for hundreds of years, becoming a special heritage of the capital.

Travelers to the city also have the chance to immerse themselves in century-old trees planted around large and small lakes in the city, creating typical images of Hanoi's lakes and poetic views to them, such as the lakes of Hoan Kiem, West Lake, Truc Bach, Bay Mau, Thien Quang, Thanh Cong and Thu Le.

In addition to the old trees planted during the French colonial period, such as the Indochina dragon plum, African mahogany and country almond, new species of trees have been incorporated into the urban space, in particular the royal poinciana, the giant crape myrtle, the freshwater mangrove and so on. With different colors of flowers blooming at different times, they add to the beauty of the city. 

Hanoi in Hoa Sua or Dalbergia Tonkinensis flowering season.

Along with green trees, Hanoi is also famous for its many incredibly beautiful lakes dotted around the city, offering locals and tourists a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle. 

The city boasts over 20 large lakes and countless smaller ones, both natural and man-made. These bodies of water add to the beauty of Hanoi and also serve as important landmarks and tourist attractions.

Hoan Kiem Lake is perhaps the most famous lake in Hanoi. The lake is steeped in history and legend, with tales of giant turtles and ancient swords adding to its allure. Travelers can take a leisurely stroll around the lake, admiring the scenery and soaking up the atmosphere. There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants nearby where you can stop for a drink or a bite.

The beautiful sunset over the West Lake. Photo: Doan Bach

Meanwhile, West Lake is a lovely destination for some quiet. The lake is also one of the top spots for spectacular sunsets in Hanoi. Covering some 500 hectares of water, the lake has many spots around it to enjoy the huge orange sun that gradually sets each late afternoon, bathing the lake in its sparkling golden light.

The sky "wears" different clothes that change color by the minute, sometimes red, sometimes pink, or multicolored, making the lake so romantic with the silhouettes of young couples pedaling swan boats on the lake. They usually come here to admire this fascinating and peaceful sight, hand in hand, adding a glamorous image to the city.

Seeking cooler climates and coastal escapes

Senty-five percent of Vietnamese travelers surveyed said they were now looking for cooler destinations to escape the heat of the big cities. This preference is reflected in a surge of interest in Dalat, a city known for its refreshing mountain air and serene landscapes. Dalat tops the list as the most sought-after domestic destination by Vietnamese travelers for this holiday period.

The dreamy beauty of Dalat City in the central highlands of Vietnam. Photo: Booking.com

In addition, 82% of Vietnamese travelers agree that being close to the water makes them feel more relaxed and are interested in water-related holidays. This trend means coastal cities dominate the list of the top ten most sought-after domestic destinations for the upcoming holidays. The central city of Danang, with its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife, tops the list, followed by Nha Trang, Vung Tau, Hoi An, Phan Thiet and Mui Ne.

The top 10 most searched domestic destinations for Vietnamese travelers from 26 April to 1 May 2024 are the major cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang, and Dalat, Nha Trang, Vung Tau, Hoi An, Hue, Phan Thiet, and Mui Ne.

Varun Grover, Country Head, Vietnam at Booking.com, said that long vacations are the perfect opportunity for Vietnamese travelers to relax and escape the daily grind with a refreshing getaway.

“Vietnamese people's need to travel is increasing in modern times. Our Travel Predictions 2024 research revealed that 81% of Vietnamese travelers feel more alive when they are on vacation,” he stated.

The central coastal city of Danang. Photo: Booking.com

As well as Vietnam, destinations closer to home in the Asia-Pacific region are also gaining traction for this holiday period.  According to Booking.com, Bangkok tops the list of most searched-for international destinations by Vietnamese travelers, followed by Singapore, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, and Tokyo.

The 2024 Travel Predictions survey was commissioned by the tourism company and conducted among a sample of adults planning to travel for business or leisure in the next 12-24 months. A total of 27,730 respondents were surveyed in 33 countries and territories.

Meanwhile, the destination survey for the upcoming Liberation Day and International Workers' Day holiday was conducted between March 17 and April 6,  with check-in dates between April 26 and May 1 this year.