Since the beginning of May, Vietnam's tourism has entered a vibrant peak period with impressive growth rate. According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, in May 2025 alone, the country welcomed more than 15.5 million visitors, including more than 1.5 million international visitors (up 10.5% over the same period), and about 14 million domestic visitors with 9 million overnight stays at accommodation establishments.
Sea destinations, island areas and tourist centers have recorded an increase in the number of visitors - not only because of the peak season as usual, but because of a vibrant summer that is inspiring tourism in tourists, thanks to the explosion of a series of attractive shows such as: Fireworks, festival experiences are invested in a large scale and methodically.
The explosive tourism atmosphere from the beginning of the summer of 2025 is not only a short-term good news. That is the result of a professionally organized complete experience ecosystem. Fireworks are no longer the "privilege" of New Year's Eve, but have become the new language of summer.
And behind each brilliant fireworks display or festival and show is a destination development strategy based on cultural values. In Da Nang, the International Fireworks Festival (DIFF 2025) became the focus of the summer. The average occupancy rate of hotel rooms in the whole city at this time is up to 80%.
According to statistics from the Agoda platform, Da Nang leads the country in bookings in the DIFF 31.5 - 31.7, surpassing Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang and Phu Quoc. However, fireworks are just the beginning. Da Nang has planned an entire " Summer festival ecosystem" with a new art show on top of Ba Na, Da Nang Asian Film Festival 2025, Da Nang Enjoyment Festival 2025, Vietnam - UK Football Exchange, Dubai - Bangkok - Da Nang flight welcoming program... taking place simultaneously.
In Cat Ba, the first days of June saw a clear increase in the number of visitors. The wharves, hotels, and coastal resorts are all crowded - especially on weekends. The noticeable change is that the space here no longer only revolves around tours to explore the bay but has expanded to a series of night experiences: Show "Green Island Symphony" - a sports - art performance program, fireworks at sea has established 2 world records, extending the experience of Vui-fest night market, water music and a new cluster of coastal restaurants.
Although there is still a way to the goal of welcoming 4 million visitors a year, the positive movements since the beginning of the summer show that Cat Ba has succeeded in "renovating" itself. The festive space creates a new lifestyle for the island, making visitors want to return to explore and spend more.
Mr. Thanh Hai - a tourist from Hai Phong, shared: "My family has been to Cat Ba many times but has never seen the island center so brilliant. Now, people and tourists can still watch the fireworks every night without having to go far, it is worth the experience.
In the North, Ha Nam is also becoming a "fireworks rookie" when from now until the end of August, every Friday and Saturday night, the sky at Sun Urban City Festival Park Square is continuously lit up with fireworks.
Located just over 1 hour away from Hanoi, a series of fireworks displays combined with large-scale water music shows and bustling activities, the bustling Vui-fest night market, makes Ha Nam stand out as an ideal weekend destination for people in the capital and surrounding areas.
On weekends, the number of visitors to the Fireworks at the Festival Park Square is up to tens of thousands of people each night. This is a good sign for a destination that was previously only known for spiritual tourism.
In the South, Phu Quoc continues to maintain its position as a resort - entertainment tourism center. Every night, in the kissing Town area, the light, fire and Kiss of the Sea art show has become an indispensable part of the tourist experience of the pearl island tourism.
It is no coincidence that the above destinations are lit up in the evening. Because fireworks are not only a visual product, but also a way to stimulate night tourism. The fact that customers arrive early, stay long, and consume a lot is the result of destinations no longer waiting for "customers to come and find them themselves", but proactively creating reasons for customers to go and stay.
Fireworks experiences are the focus of building an expanded experience: From night markets, culinary spaces, shows, to transportation, connecting infrastructure. The tourism structure is gradually reshaping towards an overall experience space, extending the length of stay and expanding the range of consumption.
Travel inspiration is also led by an endlessly interesting catalyst, which is the light of fireworks and the attractive transformation of cultural experiences.
