Ho Chi Minh City trip costs rise, hotel rooms sell out ahead of April 30 holiday

Thanh Luan, a Hanoi native working in HCMC, said he planned to bring his family of 10 from the north to attend the five-day holiday celebrating Vietnam's Reunification Day and Labor Day, from April 30 to Sunday, May 4, particularly to see a grand military parade and other national events to mark 50th years of the country's reunification.

Luan tried to book hotel rooms in early April but struggled to find vacancies. He explained that hotels with affordable rates often did not meet his expectations regarding quality, while higher-quality accommodations at reasonable prices were already fully booked.

Residents and tourists watch fighter jets and helicopters rehearsing for the upcoming April 30 parade in Ho Chi Minh City on March 28, 2025. Photo by VnExpress/Khuong Nguyen

"Finding a room is already a challenge, yet getting air tickets is two times more difficult, and fares are really high," Luan said.

A survey conducted by VnExpress indicated that many travelers started planning early this year, with peak travel dates ranging from April 27, the Sunday before the holiday, to May 4. Airfares during this period have surged considerably compared to earlier in the month.

As of April 2, round-trip tickets from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City during the holiday period ranged from approximately VND4.7 million (US$200) for late-night flights to VND6.5 million for prime-time departures. On regular days in April, fares typically range between VND4–4.5 million.

According to data from Vietnamese travel company Best Price, airfare prices peaked on April 28 due to heightened demand. Prices on the Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City route have increased about 10–15% year-on-year.

"With a limited number of flights and high demand, airfares have gone up," a Best Price representative explained.

Ticket agencies in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City reported that passengers primarily prefer flights on the evening of April 26 or morning of April 27, with some flights by Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet nearly fully booked. Airlines noted that reservations for this period surged sharply since early March.

However, some travelers who booked before March still paid fares similar to current rates. Minh Duc, a Hanoi resident, booked his flight tickets 45 days in advance to attend the parade. Although his tickets cost VND4.3 million—similar to current prices—he appreciated booking early for peace of mind and better trip planning.

Helicopters rehearse in downtown Ho Chi Minh City in preparation for the performance celebrating the 50th anniversary of national reunification, March 27. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Dong

Hotel rooms in HCMC are also filling up quickly.

VnExpress's April 2 survey of online booking platforms like Booking and Traveloka showed limited availability in central districts such as District 1, District 3, and Phu Nhuan for stays between April 27 and May 4. Many downtown homestays are also fully booked.

Thi Quoc Duy, Director of the Independent Travel Center at BenThanh Tourist, said one of BenThanh Group’s five hotels is already fully booked, and the remaining properties are expected to reach full occupancy about two weeks before the holiday.

A representative from the 4-star Kim Do Royal Hotel Saigon said their 127 rooms, priced from VND2.3 million per night, were fully booked a month ago. Similarly, Tan Son Nhat Hotel in Phu Nhuan District reported being fully booked from April 15 to May 20. Hotel representatives noted that most reservations were made in mid-March by tour groups and individual guests booking via online platforms.

Nguyen Tran Phuong Uyen, a hotel sales consultant with over 10 years of experience, observed that before the pandemic, travelers typically preferred vacationing away from urban areas. However, an increasing number of people, especially younger travelers, now choose city breaks. The many planned events for the April 30 holiday have significantly driven up demand for accommodation in HCMC.