Tourism becomes a gift after the exam season
Immediately after her daughter completed the high school graduation exam, Ms. Nguyen Thu Ha's family (Hanoi) planned a 4-day vacation in Phu Quoc.
Since the beginning of the year, the whole family has promised my child that after the exam, we will travel to relax. This is not only a reward for my child's efforts but also an opportunity for the family to gather after many months of my child focusing on studying," Ms. Ha shared.
Ms. Ha's family story is reflecting a new trend of many Vietnamese families. Instead of material gifts, trips are increasingly chosen to mark important milestones in life.
According to Booking.com's 2026 Travel Trend Prediction report, up to 84% of Vietnamese tourists said they are willing to book a trip to reward themselves after achieving an important achievement. In which, the high school graduation exam is considered one of the most memorable milestones for many families.
Mr. Branavan Aruljothi - Country Director of Booking.com in Vietnam - said: "Completing the national high school graduation exam is one of the important milestones in the life of every young person in Vietnam, and this milestone is gradually transforming into a travel demand.
Accordingly, more and more tourists see trips as rewards for personal achievements, instead of just being associated with traditional occasions such as weddings or anniversaries.
From the data of this platform, 6 destinations are assessed as suitable for candidates after the exam season, including Buon Ma Thuot, Phu Quoc, Ba Vi, Ha Long, Quy Nhon and Can Tho. These are all destinations with strengths in nature, resorts and local cultural experiences.
Coastal resorts and short trips are on the rise
Not only is there a need to "celebrate" after the exam season, this summer's travel trend also shows a change in the way tourists choose destinations.
According to accommodation data from Traveloka, domestic accommodation searches in the period April-May 2026 increased by 46% compared to the period January-February 2026. Trips from 2-4 days, easy to plan and convenient to travel are being prioritized by many families.
Da Nang, Ha Long, Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, Quy Nhon, Vung Tau and Phu Quoc are destinations that record high search demand this summer.
Notably, Ha Long recorded a growth rate of accommodation search nearly 3 times higher, while many areas in Da Nang such as Ngu Hanh Son, Son Tra and Hoi An all recorded an increase of over 45%.
Ms. Huynh Thi Mai Thy - Country Director of Traveloka in Vietnam - commented: "Summer data this year shows that tourists are having a new approach to domestic tourism. High-class sea and island vacations still retain their appeal, but besides that, more and more Vietnamese tourists see sea trips as an easy-to-reach and more frequent option.
According to Ms. Thy, instead of long holidays, many tourists are prioritizing short trips with higher frequency, more proactive and suitable for family time.
This shift also shows that sea tourism continues to be the top choice in the summer of 2026. However, tourists are currently not only looking for beautiful beaches but also interested in traffic connectivity, local cultural experiences, entertainment activities and resort quality.
When the exam has closed, short trips with family or friends not only help candidates relieve pressure after many months of studying but also become a way to mark a memorable milestone of maturity before entering a new journey.
