Early on the morning of April 10, Tran Quang Binh, 82, from Cau Giay District in Hanoi, arrived at the International Center for Exhibition (ICE) to attend the event.

After just over an hour exploring different booths, he decided on a seven-day, six-night tour covering Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou for his family. The total cost for four people came to more than VND92 million (approximately US$3,760).

“I studied in China before, so I’ve always been interested in its culture, history, and landmarks. This time, I’m booking the trip to travel with my daughter, son-in-law, and grandchild. I come to this fair every year because the promotions are always good and there are plenty of added perks,” he said.

Tran Van Khoat, 77, from Vinh Tuy, is also a seasoned visitor when it comes to securing deals at travel fairs. This year, he is considering a domestic trip to Quang Tri and an overseas journey to South Korea.

“I’m comparing itineraries and prices from a few reputable companies. I’ll take the information home to discuss with my family. We expect to return tomorrow or the day after to finalize the booking, as the promotions are quite attractive, even deeper than last year,” he said.

Nguyen Van Khanh, 87, from Phuc Loi, attended the fair with his wife from early morning. Despite their advanced age, the couple remain passionate about travel.

“I’ve been to more than 30 countries, and my most recent overseas trip was to Indonesia in 2024. Right now, I’m interested in tours to China or Russia,” he shared.

He added that his children and grandchildren fully support their travels. “My granddaughter really admires the fact that we travel so much and learn about different places. At our age, it’s easier to look for tours at fairs like this rather than online,” he said.

According to Nguyen Hoai Thu, Director of Saigontourist Hanoi, older travelers aged between 60 and 75 are among the fastest decision-makers at the fair, accounting for up to 40 percent of the company’s customers.

In addition to Northeast Asia tours, this group is also showing strong interest in high-end resort packages rated four to five stars, offered at relatively accessible prices.

VITM 2026 runs from April 9 to 12 under the theme “Digital transformation and green growth - Elevating Vietnam’s tourism.” The event brings together participants from 31 provinces and cities, along with 20 countries and territories. It features nearly 400 booths representing more than 600 organizations and businesses, including 15 percent international exhibitors.

The fair has become a prime opportunity for travelers to hunt for heavily discounted domestic and international tours.

At the event, Hanotours is offering direct discounts of VND10 million (US$410) on US-bound tours and VND5 million (US$205) on tours to Europe and Australia. The company is also distributing 100 travel vouchers worth up to VND5 million to early visitors.

Hoang Viet Travel is attracting strong interest with discounts of up to VND10 million (US$410) on tours to watch the 2026 World Cup. Domestic and Asian tours are also reduced by between VND400,000 and VND3 million (US$16 to US$123).

Meanwhile, Vietluxtour is focusing on green tourism experiences that emphasize nature, environmental protection, and respect for local cultures. The company is also promoting a range of summer travel packages at discounted prices. For example, a five-day, four-night Hanoi - Da Nang - Hue tour starts from VND3.99 million (US$163), while a four-day, three-night Hanoi - Ly Son tour starts from VND3.69 million (US$151). Trips to Phu Quoc or Quy Nhon for the same duration are available from VND3.19 million (US$130). Overland tours to China lasting four to five days are priced from VND3.69 million.

Interactive activities such as lucky draws and on-site giveaways are adding to the lively atmosphere across the exhibition.

At the Nextsar Travel booth, more than 10 visitors won zero-cost tour packages on the morning of April 10, including trips to Cuc Phuong National Park and Phu Quoc, along with hotel vouchers. The company also introduced more than 100 Phu Quoc packages, priced from VND3.9 million (US$159) per person, for sale during the fair.

Vietravel is offering discounts of up to 30 percent on domestic tours and savings of up to VND10 million (US$410) on international packages across more than 60 itineraries. Early bookings made 30, 60, or 90 days in advance during the summer peak season receive additional discounts of up to VND3 million (US$123) per person. Promotional campaigns for the April 30 holiday are also being applied throughout the event.

In the accommodation sector, hotels are rolling out a wide range of offers, including packages at Hoa Binh Hotel, Hanoi Hotel, Pullman Hanoi, De l’Opera Hanoi - MGallery, and Thang Long Opera. Visitors can also access discounted vouchers for buffet dining, afternoon tea, MICE services, and conference packages.

Linh Trang