The number of domestic tourists who traveled during the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday (Tet) reached eight million and only one-third of them joined tours of at least two days, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism.

A view of a beach resort in Phan Thiet City, Binh Thuan Province. More people favor their own trips to near and popular destinations such as Nha Trang, Phan Thiet and Dalat at Tet.

The latest report of the ministry indicated the number of local travelers to famous destinations in Vietnam rose by 5-10% during the country’s biggest holiday, which ended last week.

Sales at popular venues in Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Lao Cai, Ninh Binh, Hue, Danang and HCMC during Tet were up 10-18% compared to Tet last year. The average occupancy rate of hotels exceeded 50% and the percentage at luxury hotels was more than 60%.

Travel agencies in HCMC reported good growth in the number of domestic guests during the long Tet holiday although more people preferred arranging their own trips to near and popular destinations such as Nha Trang, Phan Thiet and Dalat.

Nguyen Van My, chairman of Lua Viet Tour, said bookings of package tours to Phan Thiet and other destinations plunged at Tet this year.

Doan Thi Thanh Tra, marketing and communications manager of Saigontourist Travel Service Company based in HCMC, said more families and groups booked hotel rooms and restaurants, and hired tour guides on their own rather than buying tours at tourism companies this year.