Vietnam’s five-day National Day holiday is now in full swing, and some of the country’s most popular destinations are already seeing heavy crowds.
Da Lat and Nha Trang are the two places where travelers should be particularly careful about last-minute accommodation. Hotels in central Da Lat are already fully booked in some areas, while Nha Trang Beach has been packed with visitors and some travelers who arrived without reservations have struggled to find convenient accommodation.
Ho Chi Minh City is also busy, but the situation is different. Tan Son Nhat International Airport is handling a sharp increase in passengers, although operations have remained relatively smooth so far.
If you are traveling around Vietnam during the National Day holiday, the practical message is simple: do not leave accommodation until the last minute if Da Lat or Nha Trang is on your itinerary.
Da Lat Is Already Running Out of Hotel Rooms
Da Lat is experiencing a particularly strong holiday rush this year.
Local reports on August 31 say that high demand has left many hotels in central Da Lat fully booked. One hotel owner on Nguyen Cong Tru Street said his property had been completely booked since August 29 and that he had continued receiving calls from people looking for rooms even after the hotel had no availability left.
According to the hotel owner, guests started making reservations around August 20 and the property was full by August 29.
That means travelers staying in Da Lat during the remaining National Day holiday should not assume that they can simply arrive and find a good room in the city centre.
If you are searching for hotels in Da Lat, availability can vary considerably from one neighborhood to another. Properties outside the most central areas may still have rooms even when popular hotels around the main tourist streets are full.
Our Vietnam Cost Per Day Guide can also help you estimate how much to budget for accommodation and daily expenses if you are extending your stay.
Lien Khuong Airport Is Adding to the Da Lat Rush
One important reason for the increase in demand is the return of Lien Khuong International Airport.
The airport resumed operations after more than five months of temporary closure for runway and taxiway repairs. During the National Day peak period from August 28 to September 3, it is expected to handle approximately 36–40 flights and 7,000–8,500 passengers per day.
Passenger traffic is expected to be around 20–30% higher than during the first week after the airport reopened.
The airport handled approximately 39,000 passengers during its first week of renewed operations, and most flights during the holiday period have been heavily booked.
For travelers flying into Da Lat, this means that the airport is once again providing a convenient gateway to the city, but the combination of restored air service and National Day demand is putting additional pressure on local accommodation.
If you are planning to book a hotel in Da Lat, it is worth checking several areas rather than focusing only on the immediate city centre.
Where to Stay in Da Lat During the Holiday
If your preferred hotel is unavailable, do not immediately assume that the entire city is sold out.
Instead, consider staying around Da Lat rather than insisting on the most central streets.
Travelers who want restaurants, cafes and the main attractions within walking distance should stay in the city centre. This is convenient, but it is also where demand is currently strongest.
If central accommodation is unavailable, you can base yourself in Da Lat slightly farther from the busiest tourist streets and use taxis or ride-hailing services to reach the centre.
The important thing during this particular holiday is to secure a room first and worry about the exact location second.
Nha Trang Beach Is Packed
Nha Trang is experiencing a similar holiday surge, although for a different reason.
Thousands of tourists and local residents have flocked to Nha Trang Beach during the National Day holiday. The beach around Tran Phu Street and the area near Tram Huong Tower has been particularly busy.
Umbrella and beach-chair rental services have reached full capacity at busy periods, while restaurants and parking areas along the beachfront have also been dealing with heavy demand.
The situation is especially relevant for travelers who arrive without a hotel reservation.
Tuoi Tre reported the case of a family from Ho Chi Minh City who arrived in Nha Trang without booking accommodation in advance. They eventually had to stay at a hotel deep inside an alley rather than near the beachfront.
So if you are staying in Nha Trang during the holiday, booking ahead is considerably more sensible than trying to find a room after arriving.
Hotels Near Nha Trang Beach Are the Most Convenient — and the Most Competitive
For a short beach holiday, hotels near Nha Trang Beach are usually the easiest option because you can walk to the sea, restaurants and the main beachfront attractions.
However, these are also the properties most likely to experience strong demand during a holiday weekend.
If you are looking for accommodation in Nha Trang, consider both the central beachfront area and neighborhoods slightly farther inland.
Travelers who prioritize convenience can choose a hotel near Nha Trang Beach, while those trying to find availability may want to stay around Nha Trang rather than limiting the search to the immediate beachfront.
If you are traveling with children, searching specifically for family-friendly resorts or hotels with larger rooms can also make sense, particularly if you are planning to stay for several nights.
Should You Still Go to Nha Trang?
Yes, if you are comfortable with crowds.
The current situation is not a sign that Nha Trang is experiencing a travel disruption. Quite the opposite: the city is attracting large numbers of visitors because of the favorable beach weather and the long National Day break.
The main inconvenience is simply crowding.
Expect busy beaches, busy restaurants, more traffic around the waterfront and higher demand for accommodation.
If you want a quieter experience, consider visiting the beach early in the morning and exploring other attractions during the busiest afternoon hours.
Our Nha Trang vs Phu Quoc comparison can also help if you are still deciding which Vietnamese beach destination is a better fit for your trip.
Ho Chi Minh City Is Busy, but Accommodation Is Easier
Ho Chi Minh City is also seeing a significant increase in visitors during the National Day holiday, but the accommodation situation is different from Da Lat and Nha Trang.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport has experienced a sharp increase in passenger traffic, yet airport procedures have remained relatively smooth during the first days of the holiday.
Passengers have generally not faced the extreme queues that have sometimes occurred during previous holiday periods, partly because passenger volumes are distributed more evenly between airport facilities.
If you are staying in Ho Chi Minh City, you therefore do not need to panic about finding a room in the same way you might in central Da Lat.
There is still strong demand, particularly around popular central districts, but the city has a much larger accommodation market.
Travelers who want to stay in the city centre can choose from a wide range of hotels, while those looking for lower prices can stay around the city and use Grab to reach the main attractions.
Our Grab Vietnam Guide explains how the service works and what travelers should know before using it.
What About Flights From Ho Chi Minh City?
If you are leaving Ho Chi Minh City for Da Lat or Nha Trang during the holiday, the flight situation deserves attention.
Tan Son Nhat is busy, but current reports indicate that airport operations remain relatively manageable.
The bigger problem may be availability at the destination rather than the airport in Ho Chi Minh City.
In other words, getting on a flight is only part of the equation. You also need somewhere to stay after you arrive.
This is particularly important for Da Lat, where the reopening of Lien Khuong Airport has brought a large number of travelers back to the city at exactly the same time as the National Day holiday.
Da Lat vs Nha Trang vs Ho Chi Minh City: Where Is It Easiest to Travel Right Now?
| Destination | Current situation | Accommodation | Best approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Da Lat | Very busy; strong holiday demand | Some central hotels already fully booked | Book immediately and consider areas outside the centre |
| Nha Trang | Beach and waterfront extremely busy | Demand is high, especially near the beach | Book before arrival if possible |
| Ho Chi Minh City | Busy but operating normally | More accommodation options | Central hotels are convenient; wider city offers more choice |
Where Should You Stay If You Are Booking at the Last Minute?
If you are making a last-minute decision, your strategy should depend on the destination.
In Da Lat: do not limit your search to the immediate centre. If the most popular hotels are sold out, find a hotel near the city centre rather than insisting on a specific street.
In Nha Trang: if beachfront accommodation is unavailable, search farther inland. A hotel a few blocks from the beach can still provide easy access to the waterfront while giving you more options.
In Ho Chi Minh City: you have considerably more flexibility. You can base yourself in Ho Chi Minh City and choose accommodation according to your budget and preferred neighborhood.
If you are planning a longer Vietnam itinerary rather than a short holiday, our Vietnam Itinerary for 2 Weeks can help you decide how much time to allocate to each destination.
Is It Too Late to Book?
Not necessarily.
The current reports do not mean that every hotel in Da Lat or Nha Trang is sold out.
They mean that the easiest and most desirable accommodation is becoming harder to find, especially around the most popular tourist areas.
If you have not booked yet, search now rather than waiting until you arrive.
You may still find good options by being flexible about location, hotel category and room type.
For example, instead of searching only for a beachfront resort, consider accommodation a short walk from the beach. Instead of looking exclusively for luxury resorts, compare well-rated mid-range hotels in nearby areas.
What Travelers Should Expect Over the Next Few Days
The National Day holiday continues through September 2, so the current crowds are unlikely to disappear immediately.
Da Lat and Nha Trang should remain among the busiest destinations during the final days of the break.
Ho Chi Minh City will also remain busy, but its larger accommodation and transport infrastructure gives travelers more flexibility.
If you are moving between destinations, allow additional time for traffic and busy transport hubs.
Our Vietnam Transport Guide covers the main ways to travel around the country, including flights, trains, buses and local transportation.
The Bottom Line
Vietnam’s National Day holiday is creating a major domestic travel surge, but the pressure is not equal everywhere.
Da Lat is the destination where accommodation availability deserves the most attention right now. Many central hotels are already fully booked, while Lien Khuong Airport is handling thousands of passengers per day following its reopening.
Nha Trang is also extremely busy. The beach is packed, beachfront businesses are dealing with heavy crowds, and travelers arriving without reservations may have to compromise on location.
Ho Chi Minh City is busy but more manageable. Tan Son Nhat is seeing higher passenger numbers, yet airport operations have remained relatively smooth and the city offers far more accommodation choices.
If Da Lat or Nha Trang is on your itinerary, the best move is simple: book your accommodation before you arrive and be flexible about the exact location.
Sources
- DTiNews — Tourists flock to Dalat for National Day holiday
- Vietnam.vn / VTV — Lien Khuong Airport increases services for National Day holiday
- Tuoi Tre News — Vietnam’s Nha Trang beach packed with visitors during National Day holiday
- Tuoi Tre News — Tan Son Nhat airport stays smooth despite sharp rise in National Day holiday travel
- VnExpress International — Hotels in central Vietnam expected to be fully booked for National Day holidays
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