The destinations driving Vietnam’s festive travel momentum

As both the festive season and the year-end period draw near, Vietnamese travellers are preparing for one of the busiest travel moments of the calendar year with December and early January bringing a season of celebrations and gatherings. With 83% of Vietnamese travellers preferring to travel on the weekends to maximize their trips, the New Year’s holiday falling close to the weekend makes it an especially practical moment to enjoy a more complete break. Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel platforms, has drawn on its latest search insights to reveal where Vietnamese travellers are planning to spend their final journeys of 2025.

Domestic travel: Vietnam’s well-loved destinations lead the season

Domestic trips continue to shape how Vietnamese holidaymakers plan their time off. According to Booking.com’s Travel Trends 2025 data, 69%** of Vietnamese travellers choose to travel within the country, and among those who do, 42%** say they enjoy going somewhere familiar, while 37%** highlight the convenience of short travel times. Beyond these everyday reasons, 45%** say they would consider attending a local festival while travelling. Together, these motivations help explain why Vietnam’s most familiar holiday spots remain at the forefront of year-end plans.

For Vietnamese travelers exploring their own country during the holiday season, Phu Quoc stands out as the most-searched domestic destination, witnessing an 86%* year-on-year growth compared to the same time last year. It is followed by Da Lat, Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi, all known for hosting a variety of celebrations and seasonal activities. Popular beach cities such as Da Nang, Nha Trang, Vung Tau and Mui Ne remain attractive for restorative breaks, while Hoi An and Sapa continue to appeal to those seeking a cultural immersion and festive experiences.

Top 10 most-searched domestic destinations for Vietnamese travelers traveling from 20 December, 2025 to 4 January, 2026

Phu Quoc

Da Lat

Ho Chi Minh City

Ha Noi

Da Nang

Nha Trang

Vung Tau

Mui Ne

Hoi An

Sapa

International travel: Outbound trips focus on close and convenient cities

Short international getaways are also gaining momentum during the festive season. Nearly 30%** of Vietnamese travellers say they are likely to take a short international break lasting 1-4 nights, while another 29% are considering a week-long international journey of 5-7 nights in 2025, the year-end period creates an ideal window to plan an overseas trip.

Bangkok, Tokyo, and Seoul lead the list of most-searched international destinations during this festive period, each appealing in a different way. From Bangkok’s lively end-of-year energy to the festive mood found in Tokyo and Seoul.  For longer breaks, Sydney and Paris emerge as key long-haul choices. Sydney remains a classic year-end destination, particularly for its harbor-side New Year's Eve celebrations. Meanwhile, Paris is the biggest riser in the top 10 most-searched international destinations, demonstrating more than 51% year-on-year growth driven by its lively Christmas festivities.

Top 10 most-searched international destinations for Vietnamese travelers traveling from 20 December, 2025 to 4 January, 2026

Bangkok

Tokyo

Seoul

Taipei

Hongkong

Singapore

Kuala Lumpur

Sydney

Chiang Mai

Paris

International arrivals: Inbound travellers focus on varied cultural and leisure experiences

Search data for international travelers visiting Vietnam during the extended year end-break (December 20, 2025, to January 4, 2026) highlights the varied cultural and leisure experience they are exploring during the holiday season. Beyond the metropolitan gateways of Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Noi, the top searches include the coastal and island locations of Phu Quoc, Da Nang and Nha Trang, the historical town of Hoi An and the mountainous regions of Sapa and Da Lat.

Top 10 most-searched domestic destinations for international travelers traveling from 20 December, 2025 to 4 January, 2026

Phu Quoc

Ho Chi Minh City

Ha Noi

Da Nang

Nha Trang

Hoi An

Mui Ne

Vung Tau

Sapa

Da Lat

Branavan Aruljothi, Country Head, Vietnam at Booking.com said, “Year-end travel is a perfect moment for many to unwind, celebrate and maximize time with those who matter.  Our search data reflects Vietnamese travelers exploring familiar domestic destinations alongside nearby international breaks across the Asia-Pacific region. Vietnamese travelers are seeking trips that either offer familiarity and convenience, or opportunities for celebrations and cultural immersion. At Booking.com, we are dedicated to helping travelers by making it easier for them to find and book options that fit the way they want to celebrate this festive season.”