Vietnam News, dated March 23, 2026, reported that Vietnamese travel agencies were seeing an increase in early bookings and inquiries ahead of the late April to early May public holidays. However, this was not a survey showing that major domestic resorts were uniformly fully booked. Nor did the holidays automatically mean a nine-day consecutive break for everyone. This article summarizes the booking trends reported at the time and the holiday schedule, along with points to check when planning a trip from Japan. As of the verification date of September 29, 2026, the holiday period in question has already passed; this is not information about current availability or upcoming holiday schedules.
The 2026 Holiday Schedule — Two Weekdays Between a Three-Day and a Four-Day Weekend
According to government guidance, public holidays for civil servants and similar workers were divided into two blocks: Hung Kings' Commemoration Day on April 25–27, and Reunification Day and May Day on April 30–May 3. April 28 and 29 fell between these as regular working days, and the Ministry of Home Affairs stated that no across-the-board nine-day consecutive holiday would be implemented through the substitution of working days. The relationship is that anyone who could also take those two days as leave — for example, those with Saturday and Sunday off — could link the full period from April 25 to May 3 into nine consecutive days. Individual company work schedules and leave approvals need to be confirmed separately.
Because this period partially overlaps with Japan's Golden Week, it is worth checking not only flights from Japan but also domestic travel within Vietnam at the same time. For instance, even if you can arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, your plans won't come together if the onward flight to an island or the room you want isn't available. Before deciding on a destination, line up your Japan departure and arrival flights, domestic flights, and accommodation side by side for the same dates — this makes it easier to see where the budget or scheduling constraints lie.
Popular destinations: Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon
Vietnam News highlighted early booking activity for package products combining flights and hotels to Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Quy Nhon, and Phu Yen. The following is organized into four groups that also include nearby sightseeing options. This is not a national ranking of booking volumes or a comprehensive list of availability across all properties.
Phu Quoc Island,A destination for those who want to center their trip around time spent at an island resort. Total costs will vary depending on transfers from the airport to the hotel and whether you eat at the resort or head into town.Phu Quoc Airport Expansion Planswere underway, but according to Sun Group's January 2026 briefing, Phase 1 of the major expansion was targeting a 2027 opening. The change of operator and improvements to existing facilities are separate matters from the completion of the full expansion. A news item about a new plan should not be taken as a guarantee of increased flights or reduced congestion on your travel date.
Da Nang and Hoi AnA destination that lets you combine time on My Khe Beach in Da Nang with a walk through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed old town of Hoi An. However, these are not the same city, and where you base yourself will affect your travel logistics. If you plan to spend most of your time at the beach, prioritize access to the shore; if the old town at night is your main goal, think about how you'll get back in the evening. No figure confirming that the majority of beachfront hotels were sold out across the region could be found in the referenced article.
Nha TrangA candidate for those who want to combine seaside stays with dining in town.Hyatt Regency Nha Trang,is a 434-room hotel whose opening was announced by Hyatt on December 28, 2025. The addition of a new accommodation option and a surge in bookings across the entire city are two different things. If you're traveling with children, check the maximum occupancy, bed-sharing policy, and how many guests are included in breakfast. If you want water-based activities, confirm transfer arrangements and minimum participant requirements. Compare not just the headline room rate but all the costs you're likely to incur during your stay.
Quy Nhon and Phu YenA candidate for those who want to make coastal scenery and local food the focus of their trip. That said, being described as a "hidden gem" alone is not enough to conclude that it will be uncrowded during a holiday period or that it will be cheaper to visit. Research the accommodation options, distance from the airport, and transport options after arrival before comparing it with other resorts. If getting there takes half a day more, that travel time is just as important a factor as the cost of staying.
Travel Agency Booking Trends — Don't Confuse Inquiries with Sold-Out Status
The specific figure cited in the March 23 report was that inquiries at Tràng An Travel had increased 40% compared to the same period the previous year. Inquiries are not confirmed bookings. Additionally, the 60–70% cited by BestPrice Travel as sold out referred to the company's overseas tours during the relevant period — not the overall hotel occupancy rate at domestic resorts such as Phu Quoc. When reading statistics, it's important to check which company's figures they are and which specific products they refer to.
The length of trip available differs between those who add two extra days of leave and those who travel within the announced three-day and four-day holiday windows. Travelers from Japan should also avoid treating the entire period as uniformly busy just because "locals have a nine-day holiday." If you can shift your departure by one day, compare not just the outbound flight but the return flight and accommodation costs at the same time. A cheaper one-way fare can be offset by the cost of an extra night or a more expensive return ticket.
Pricing is not uniformly one-directional either. The same reporting that mentioned price increases also included a statement that flight-and-hotel packages to Phu Quoc were cheaper than in previous years. No basis was provided for a blanket claim of "1.5 to 2 times the normal price." When comparing, align the same number of travelers, nights, room type, baggage conditions, and meal inclusions. For package deals, assess the apparent savings only after factoring in airport transfers and cancellation terms.
The impact on Japanese tourists and advice
The following are points to check that will also be useful for planning future holiday trips. Comparing early and rushing to purchase without reading the terms are two different things. Deciding on the purpose of your trip first — relaxing by the sea, exploring a city on foot, enjoying the food — makes it easier to separate the conditions you can't compromise on from those you can adjust.
Flights: Check Round-Trip, Connections, and Total Cost Together: Check flights departing and arriving in Japan on your preferred dates alongside any necessary domestic flights at the same time. Compare the total cost including checked baggage, seat selection, and airport transfers.Vietnam Airlines' Ho Chi Minh City–Phuket routeis about a Thailand circuit itinerary and does not mean more seats have become available from Japan. Whether a provisional booking or payment deferral is offered varies by seller, so you cannot assume a seat can be held for free. Before purchasing, check the ticketing deadline and the terms for changes and refunds.
Check the free-cancellation deadline and applicable conditions for hotels: Even when a listing says "free cancellation," check the booking terms to confirm until when it is free, whether the deadline is in local time, and whether any prepayment is required. Enter the number and ages of children, breakfast preferences, and extra beds before comparing. If you switch to a different plan later, the same room may no longer be available. Confirm with the seller whether a change can be made or whether a new booking is needed, and avoid cancelling the original reservation before that is settled.
Keep alternative destinations in view: You can also compare the option of using Ho Chi Minh City as a base for dining and exploring the city, rather than limiting yourself to Quy Nhon or Phu Yen. That said, the experience of staying on an island differs from a city stay. Before choosing a destination simply because it has availability, ask yourself whether it will deliver what you most want from this trip. If your time off is short, staying in one base rather than adding more destinations tends to keep transport costs down as well.
Leave room to enjoy the local food and culture: Check not just the event name but also the dates and venue. For example,Gourmet events like the Saigon Food Culture Festivalthe Saigontourist Group event introduced earlier was scheduled for 26–29 March 2026, which is a separate schedule from the late-April public holidays. Even if a food event you want to attend does not align with your itinerary, there is still the pleasure of researching restaurants and markets that serve regional cuisine. Try not to fill every hour with reservations—leave yourself room to choose where to eat once you are in the city.
Summary — Compare early and allow time to check the terms
What the spring 2026 news showed was that bookings and inquiries were moving quickly at some travel agencies. It did not mean that hotels nationwide were sold out, nor that all nine days were uniformly public holidays. For future trips as well, the recommended approach is to look up the exact holiday schedule, compare flights and accommodation under the same conditions, and then verify change and cancellation terms.
When the budget does not work out, try adjusting the dates, the hotel location, or the number of nights—one factor at a time. Switching to cheaper accommodation does not necessarily save money if transfer costs increase. What matters is being satisfied with both the time you will enjoy at your destination and the total amount you will actually pay. There is no need to feel rushed by booking news that has already ended.
Sources: Holiday schedule based on an announcement by Vietnam's Ministry of Home Affairs; airport information from Sun Group; hotel information from Hyatt; food event information from Saigontourist's official announcements. Source for booking trends (23 March 2026):Vietnam News – Early tour bookings surge for 2026 Hung Kings and April 30 holidays. Supplementary references cited in the earlier version (not verified for this article and not used as the basis for any additional information):Travel and Tour World – Vietnam sees strong holiday travel demand for April 2026 long break
