In contrast, Co To Island experienced a boom in tourism as Ao Tien port was bustling with visitors from morning until early afternoon. Nguyen Van Thang, a hotel owner in Co To, shared that his three accommodations, comprising 45 rooms, were fully booked until May 3rd, and most surrounding hotels were in a similar situation.
Fansipan peak on April 30th. Photo: NVCC
Sa Pa did not witness any traffic congestion on the first day of the holiday, but a large number of tourists gathered on Fansipan peak to witness the flag-raising ceremony. Fansipan Legend tourist area reported a 150% increase in visitors compared to the first day of the holiday last year, with numbers expected to rise in the following days. During this occasion, the tourist area also presented red flag-themed shirts to visitors to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the country’s reunification.
In Northern Vietnam, Ha Giang was one of the few places that experienced an overwhelming influx of tourists on the first day of the holiday. Nguyen Duy Huong, a driver specializing in tourist transportation to Ha Giang, mentioned that the Tham Ma slope was congested from the morning, and the road to Lung Cu flag tower was almost immobile. The group of tourists Huong transported had to cut their itinerary short and return to Tuyen Quang a day early due to the excessive crowd and expressed their “regret” for traveling during the holiday season. In the afternoon, the number of tourist vehicles heading to Ha Giang continued to rise, likely causing severe congestion in the remaining days of the holiday.
The tourism situation in Nha Trang during the holiday remained relatively “breathable,” according to tour guide Huy Tung from Viet Travel Company. He shared that Ponagar Tower and Long Son Pagoda were empty of visitors in the morning of April 30th, with pleasant weather conditions suitable for tourism. The Lan Island tourist spot was also deserted, with calm seas.
Vinh Truong port, Nha Trang, was quiet in the afternoon of April 30th. Photo: Huy Tung
Phu Quoc Island showed no signs of overload on the first day, with both the center and the north and south poles sparsely populated. However, tour guide Tan Quoc predicted a possible traffic jam in the evening in the central area as the number of visitors to the island continued to increase throughout the afternoon. The folk cake festival in the central area also attracted many participants.
Representatives of Phu Quoc Express ship reported that all ten trips from Rach Gia and Ha Tien to Phu Quoc on April 30th were fully booked, with an estimated 3,000 passengers. Phu Quy Island also promised to be bustling in the coming days, as two ships carrying nearly 1,200 passengers from Phan Thiet were fully occupied. In contrast, the Vung Tau – Con Dao route still had empty seats as visitors gathered in Ho Chi Minh City to attend the anniversary celebration, with expectations of increased occupancy from the following day.
Chi Kha, a tour guide on the Mekong Delta route of Vietravel, shared that the number of visitors to Ben Tre tourist spots like Con Phung and Con Thoai on April 30th was still minimal, mostly comprising foreign tourists. He predicted that after the anniversary celebration, more visitors would disperse to southern destinations, resulting in increased crowds from the following day.
Ho Chi Minh City was the “hottest” spot on the first day of the holiday, with the 50th anniversary of the country’s reunification as its centerpiece. From the night of April 29th, eateries remained open throughout, refraining from taking advance bookings to cater to the massive demand from tourists and locals alike.
After the parade, a stream of people left the walking street of Nguyen Hue, making it challenging for tourists to find a suitable dining place, especially after enduring a crowded and sweltering morning. Not only eateries but hotels along the Saigon River, such as Majestic, were also fully booked, especially on the 7th floor, offering a view of Ton Duc Thang, where guests paid VND 600,000 per person to enjoy breakfast while witnessing the parade, aircraft, helicopters, and cannon firing.
Some restaurants on Le Thanh Ton and Le Loi streets recorded a 200% increase in revenue on the rehearsal days, the final rehearsal, and the morning of April 30th. Similarly, a convenience store on Le Loi street witnessed a three to fourfold increase in customers, mainly selling bottled water, canned coffee, and bread to families with young children and the elderly.
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