Destinations in Vietnamese people’s wishlist after social distancing period

Vietnamese people, while staying at home to practice social distancing, are seeking tourism destinations and making plans to go there right after the COVID-19 pandemic is put under control.
Destinations in Vietnamese people’s wishlist after social distancing period ảnh 1Da Lat, one of the favourite destinations of tourists (Photo: Vietnam+)

Ha Noi (VNA) - The COVID-19 pandemic has changed travel habits and trends of Vietnamese people, with domestic destinations becoming their top choices when they want to go for a tour.

The latest survey on travel trends of Vietnamese people conducted by Booking.com – one of the world’s leading travel platforms – shows that 96 percent of the total distance that Vietnamese people travelled from June 1 to August 31 was conducted in Vietnam.

Top favourite tourist destinations

The global pandemic has forced people to cancel their international tours. The lifting of social distancing order nationwide allowed them to quickly book domestic tours and discover the beauty of Vietnam.

Destinations in Vietnamese people’s wishlist after social distancing period ảnh 2Sunset in Phu Quoc (Photo: Vietnam+)

During this period, holidaymakers favoured major cities and famous destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Vung Tau, Da Nang and Da Lat.

Being a super urban city and a trade and financial centre of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City is modern and bustling like other super urban cities, but it also boasts a lot of interesting destinations and experiences.

The city, named after late President Ho Chi Minh, is known as a city that never sleeps, as one of the most wonderful ways to discover the city is to enjoy street foods at night with many restaurants, both small and big.

If visitors do not like the noisy life, they are advised to find an airy space at the suburbs such as flying kites on reed fields.

The over 1,000-year-old capital hides countless interesting things. The city impresses visitors with its ancient streets or streets covered by yellow leaves every autumn. For relaxation, Ecopark, about 13km from the city’s centre, is an ideal place. A one-day picnic will bring people closer to the nature where they can enjoy a clean and comfortable atmosphere.

Visitors should also visit a 3.85km ceramic road along the Red River, recognized as the world’s longest ceramic picture by World Guinness Records in 2010, or a café around West Lake at sunset, try foods on ancient streets, or walk along small alleys there to discover a different Hanoi.

When wanting to escape from a crowded city, residents in Ho Chi Minh City often choose Vung Tau in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. Although it is known as an ideal destination for a short sea trip with hundreds of seafood restaurants, Vung Tau also has many other interesting destinations to discover.

Robert Taylor ancient weapons museum is such an interesting destination like that. The museum showcases different types of weapons from different periods of history.

Vung Tau lighthouse, one of the oldest lighthouses of the country and Southeast Asia built by French people in 1862, is also an attractive destination.

As a tourism centre of the central region with beautiful beaches, Da Nang offers a lot of choices for a sea holiday.

Taking a tour by high-quality Vietage train is also a must-try experience. The train, starting from Da Nang, brings passengers to go through wonderful coastal roads and stops in Quy Nhon province.

Da Lat flower city in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong is well-known for its cool climate and French-style buildings. Tea fields, the Crazy House, or Happy Buddha statue are suggestions for visitors to the city.

After two years unable to travel abroad, Vietnamese tourists also wish to go shopping and enjoy food in Bangkok (Thailand), Seoul (the Republic of Korea) and Singapore.

The survey of Booking.com also shows that for accommodation, resort is the top choice of Vietnamese tourists, followed by aparthotel (a combination between apartment and hotel), hotel, and apartment.

Top five accommodation establishments which Vietnamese people add to their Wishlist in Booking.com during July-August include Sun Beach Hotel (9.2 points), Pistachio Hotel Sapa (9.2 points) and Cityhouse-CityOasis (9.1 points), Hanoi Paradise Hotel & Spa (9.1 points), Palm View Villa (8.6 points).

Staying at home to both protect themselves and their family members and seek tourist destinations for travelling when the pandemic is put under control, why not?./.

VNA

See more

The display space of the archival photo exhibition “Echoes of a New Era” at the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long. (Photo: VNA)

Exhibition traces Vietnam’s post-reunification journey

Showcasing more than 70 documentary images, the exhibition highlights Vietnam’s journey from the 1975 Spring Victory through the early years of recovery and reconstruction, with a spotlight on the nationwide general election on April 25, 1976.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and members of Vietnam’s national U17 men’s football team pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA)

PM hails U17 football team’s ASEAN triumph, sets sights higher

Presenting a certificate of merit to the team, the PM praised their championship run as a compelling and remarkable journey marked by resilience, determination, and a strong competitive spirit. The team remained unbeaten throughout the tournament, recording four wins and one draw while scoring 19 goals.

President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung and his spouse take a stroll around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi during a visit to Vietnam in April 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese cuisine gains global spotlight through leaders’ street food moments

In recent years, Vietnamese dishes have gained wider global recognition through travellers and international rankings. A social media group named “Vietnam Banh Mi Appreciation Society,” with nearly 200,000 foreign members, is dedicated to reviewing banh mi from street stalls to established shops, reflecting growing international enthusiasm for the dish.

Offering of cylindrical glutinous rice cakes to Hung Kings at Thuong Temple in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam Culture Day: Rendezvous of identity, internal strength

Culture has long been described as the spiritual foundation of society, an internal strength, and a driver of development; yet for that idea to truly take root in everyday life, it must be translated into concrete, visible, and tangible policies.

Visitors explore blooming plum orchards in Hom hamlet, Chieng Coi ward, Son La province. (Photo: VNA)

Northwest cultural showcase to open in Son La in May

Conceived as an integrated cultural space, the Huong sac vung cao (Highland Hues) exhibition will bring together archival and artistic images alongside artefacts to depict the cultural and social life of ethnic communities, underscore the Party and State’s focus on upland areas, and reflect local development progress.

Van Thuy Tu temple in Phan Thiet ward, a well-known destination offering insight into the unique whale worship (Photo: VNA)

Historic coastal communal houses keep folk fishing traditions alive

Stretching along the coastal belt of Lam Dong province, centuries-old communal houses and temples worshipping the “Ong” (Whale God) stand as quiet custodians of history, embodying the distinctive cultural and spiritual life of Vietnamese coastal communities, while increasingly emerging as compelling cultural tourism attractions.

A special art programme is held in Dien Bien province in 2025 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the national reunification, the 71st anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, and the 135th anniversary of the birth of President Ho Chi Minh. (Photo: VNA)

Boosting traditional arts talents key to preserving cultural heritage

Politburo’s Resolution No. 80 on developing Vietnamese culture places a stronger emphasis on nurturing talent in traditional arts. It is expected to breathe fresh life into Vietnam’s cultural heritage, as these art forms face mounting challenges in the modern entertainment landscape.

Internationally acclaimed pianist Kevin Kenner (Photo: VCMA)

World-renowned pianist Kevin Kenner to perform in Vietnam

Organised by the Vietnam Classical Music Association (VCMA) with support from Impressivo Production & Enterprise, the concerts are scheduled for May 22 at Ho Guom Opera House in Hanoi and May 24 at the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House, the Vietnam Classical Music Association announced on April 26.

Nearly 8,000 runners join AirAsia RedRun Da Nang 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Nearly 8,000 runners join AirAsia RedRun Da Nang 2026

Jointly organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the municipal People’s Committee and related agencies at East Sea Park, the two-day event featured 5km, 10km and 21km races, with runners competing along scenic routes in the city. The main race day was April 26, following activities launched a day earlier.

Organisers award commemorative medals to participating Vietnamese lion dance troupes. (Photo: VNA)

International Lion Dance Tournament 2026 gathers 15 strong teams

More than a sporting competition, the event serves as a vibrant cultural festival, fostering exchanges and strengthening ties among domestic and international troupes, particularly from regions with strong lion dance traditions such as China, Malaysia and Hong Kong (China).