According to experts, the Vietnamese tourist industry will experience significant growth in 2023, especially after China allows outbound group travel to Vietnam to resume from March 15, 2023. The vibrant tourism market will turn up the heat on summer ticket prices.

Droves of foreign tourists are already pouring into Hanoi, Danang, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phu Quoc. Their presence will be even more noticeable once China – one of Vietnam’s top markets for foreign tourism – reopens. In 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam welcomed more than 5.8 million visitors from China. In turn, China received over 8 million Vietnamese visitors.

Although summer is still a few months away, the demand for plane tickets, tour packages, and hotel rooms across the country is very high. Air routes to favorite destinations such as Phu Quoc, Danang, Nha Trang, Dalat, Quy Nhon, and Con Dao operated by Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, and VASCO are heating up every day. The number of ticket bookings continues to rise. Some travel agencies’ tour packages are already booked solid. Many hotels and resorts at famous travel destinations have nearly no vacancies, especially for peak summer weekends.

According to Doan Thi Thanh Tra, Director of Marketing and Communications at Saigontourist, the demands for summer tourism are very high. “Tourists who want to go on long vacations, whether solo or in groups, may have to plan early to ensure that they have ample time to secure their passports and fulfill all administrative procedures. Planning ahead and registering early for tour packages will also give tourists more choices, more favorable itineraries, as well as attractive early bird deals,” said Ms. Tra.

Tran Thi Bao Thu, Director of Marketing and Communications at Vietluxtour travel agency, was even more specific, claiming that “the hottest destinations for the summer will be places like Phu Quoc, Danang, and Con Dao.”

After the pandemic, self-planned trips for groups and families are increasingly popular. Ngoc Anh, who lives in Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City, said that she planned to take her two children to Hanoi to visit their grandparents this summer, then spend some time relaxing by the sea after the past few hectic years. “I’m looking for flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi/Phu Quoc. I usually book my tickets early to get better ticket deals and more flexible flight schedules,” said Ms. Anh.

Following market demand, plane ticket prices always skyrocket during peak periods due to increased demand for travel, especially on busy passenger air routes such as Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City. In fact, during this year’s Tet holiday, round-trip tickets on this route cost up to a dozen million VND. Many passengers were more than willing to pay because they had failed to plan early.

Plane tickets usually account for 30% of your travel costs, and you’re more likely to pay more for tour packages during peak periods. If you plan to travel this summer, book your tickets now before they’re sold out or prices rise dramatically.