With one of Vietnam’s biggest travel weekends looming large when Vietnam Reunification Day goes back-to-back with International Labor Day the nation is looking to head to the major cities to visit family and friends over the long break.

With many trips cancelled over the traditional Tet-break, Vietnamese people seem to have chosen this long weekend to head both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi for the forthcoming public holidays.  The two major cities have placed one and two in Agoda’s bookings over the 29 April – 3 May break.

While cities dominate the top spots, the chance to chill out along the coast is a big lure for travellers with five of the top ten destinations dotted along the nation’s famous coastline.  Vung Tau leads the way, placing third and popular with HCMC travelers as the metropolis’ nearest beach, with easy access by both car and hydrofoil.

Danang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Phan Thiet occupied places five through eight as seekers of sun, sand and surf make the beach their priorities.

Mountain retreat Dalat continues its recent renaissance as travellers head up-the-hill, coming in third with visitors drawn in by the areas stunning forest, mountains and waterfalls, as well as the city’s own emerging culinary culture which sees numerous new contemporary eateries taking advantage of the province’s abundant local produce.

The closure of international travel this year, coupled with very attractive GoLocal value deals has seen Vietnamese travelers choose to pamper themselves a little more in 2021 than other years, with a higher prevalence of bookings to 4 and 5 star resorts than previously recorded.

“With international travel off the cards for most markets , we see people using their travel budget to pamper themselves with upgraded stays, whether that is in visits to the cities, staycations closer to home or as they head to beach destinations, such as Phu Quoc and Nha Trang, or scenic mountains like Dalat,” said Timothy Hughes, Vice President Corporate Development.

Mekong Delta capital Can Tho also cracked the Top 10, likely again spurred by hometown visitation as well as Saigonese looking at driveable destinations.

Vietnam’s stunning imperial capital Hue rounded out the top 10, with its architecture, history and unique cuisine a perennial draw to Vietnamese visitors.