10 most crowded destinations in Vietnam during Tet

Da Lat, Hanoi and Hue are the busiest destinations in Vietnam during the upcoming Tet holiday that peaks on Jan. 29, according to booking data from online travel platform Agoda.

The Central Highlands city of Da Lat, famous for its year-round cool climate, is the top choice of Vietnamese tourists during the holidays that last from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2, with searches increasing 167% year-on-year.

The list was based on an analysis of Agoda’s booking search data for Nov. 27-Dec. 21, 2024, with check-in dates falling between Jan. 25 and Feb. 2.

Photo by Le Dang Khoa

Hanoi came in second with searches growing by 153%.

For the Lunar New Year, a grand firework show will be organized at 30 venues citywide. The displays will begin at midnight on Jan. 29, 2025, marking the first day of the Lunar New Year.

In addition to the fireworks, the city has planned an array of cultural and artistic events. Highlights include the Light Concert – Welcome New Year 2025 in Tay Ho District, scheduled for 8 p.m. on Jan. 18, 2025, and the program Brilliant Thang Long 2025, set to take place in front of My Dinh National Stadium and the F1 racetrack area from 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Jan. 28, 2025.

Photo by Doan Bach

The former imperial city of Hue ranked third with searches increasing by 148% year-on-year.

Hue used to be the capital of the Nguyens, Vietnam’s last royal dynasty (1802-1945) and is famed for its royal mausoleums and other historical structures. Its royal tombs have also become popular tourist attractions.

Photo by Le Huy Hoang Hai

The northern highlands city of Sa Pa ranked fourth with searches increasing by 128% year-on-year.

Located at an altitude of over 1,500 meters above sea level in Vietnam’s northwest mountains, Sa Pa came in ninth on the list.

The winter season in Sa Pa lasts from December to February, when temperatures can plunge below zero, the landscape takes on a completely different look and there is the chance of seeing snow and ice on mountain peaks.

During winter, the town is covered in white snow, attracting those who want a chill hike up Mount Fansipan or Ham Rong Mountain.

Photo by Nguyen Khanh Thi

Ho Chi Minh City came in fifth with searches increasing by 127% year-on-year.

To celebrate the Year of the Snake, Nguyen Hue Flower Street in the heart of HCMC will feature 90 serpent-themed mascots, with a pair of snakes coiling in three loops highlighting the entrance.

This year it will open from 7 p.m. on Jan. 27, two days before the new lunar year, to 9 p.m. on Feb. 2 (the fifth day of the new year).

The southern metropolis will display a 3D projection mapping show on the façade of the office building of the municipal People’s Committee on the evening of Jan. 28, followed by a fireworks show from midnight to 0:15 a.m. on Jan. 29.

In this photo is a firework show near Ba Son Bridge in downtown HCMC to ring in the new year 2025.

Photo by Quynh Tran

The southern beach city of Vung Tau ranked sixth with searches growing by 120% year-on-year.

Around 110 kilometers from downtown HCMC, Vung Tau has always been one of the hottest destinations in the south during national holidays as crowds flood the three-kilometer-long Bai Sau, also known as Thuy Van beach.

Pictured is Statue of Christ from above.

Photo by Tran Thanh Duy

Vietnam’s largest island Phu Quoc came in seventh with searches increasing by 119% year-on-year.

During the New Year holiday, Phu Quoc was crowded with an influx of foreign tourists in stark contrast to quieter scenes across most of the rest of Vietnam.

Following tourism crisis in 2023 when visitors to the island dropped significantly amid complaints of price hikes and poor services, the island has shown steady signs of recovery.

Phu Quoc welcomed over 5.9 million tourists in 2024, a 7.1% increase compared to the previous year. Among them were 963,000 international visitors.

Photo by SG

The central city of Da Nang came in eighth with searches growing by 93% year-on-year.

It would welcome the Year of the Snake with fireworks displays at three venues in Hai Chau, Lien Chieu, and Hoa Vang Districts.

The city did not set off fireworks for the New Year celebration. However, for the Tet celebration, high-altitude and low-altitude pyrotechnic shows will be let off for 15 minutes at midnight on Jan. 29.

Photo by Nguyen Dong

The south central beach city of Phan Thiet, home to Mui Ne resort, came in ninth with searches increasing by 89% year-on-year.

Mui Ne enjoys a tropical hot climate all year round and is famous for its adventurous activities like windsurfing, kitesurfing, jet-skiing and kayaking.

Also worth a visit are Mui Ne fishing village, the white sand dunes, Ta Cu Mountain and Co Thach beach where most of its large rocks are covered with green moss in March and April every year.

Photo by Kim Cuong

The beach city of Nha Trang completes the list with searches growing by 88% year-on-year.

Visitors can rent a boat to explore Tri Nguyen and Bich Dam Islands on Nha Trang Bay or trek up to Co Tien Mountain at the height of 400 meters above sea level with three adjacent peaks.

According to Agoda, Nha Trang is expected to be busy with foreign tourists during the Tet season with accomodation searches increasing by 104%.

Photo by Nguyen Tran Dang Khoa

Cre: Hoang Phong – VnExpress