The Hanoi travel expo was held at the International Center for Exhibition (ICE) from April 9 to 12, 2026, featuring nearly 400 booths and over 600 organizations, including 15 percent international exhibitors. The event’s theme was “Digital transformation and green growth – Elevating Vietnam’s tourism,” gathering participants from 31 provinces and 20 countries to promote both domestic and international tourism.
Senior Tourists Drive Spending Surge
Senior travelers aged 60 to 75 represented up to 40 percent of Saigontourist Hanoi’s customers during the event and were identified as the fastest decision-makers. Nguyen Hoai Thu, Director of Saigontourist Hanoi, stated this demographic showed strong interest in Northeast
Asia tours and high-end four- to five-star resort packages. Expert travelers such as Tran Quang Binh, 82, booked multi-destination tours for their families after brief visits to the expo booths, illustrating the quick purchase behavior among elderly attendees.
Tran Quang Binh from Cau Giay District booked a seven-day China tour covering Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou for four people at a total cost exceeding VND 92 million (approximately US$3,760). He stated, “I come to this fair every year because the promotions are always good and there are plenty of added perks.” Similarly, Tran Van Khoat, 77, evaluated itineraries for domestic
and international trips and intended to finalize bookings due to compelling discounts. Nguyen Van Khanh, 87, indicated ongoing enthusiasm for travel with recent overseas trips including Indonesia in 2024 and current interest in China and Russia.
Elderly Bookings and Tour Destinations
Among the tours favored by senior travelers at the expo were multiple China tours including cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, domestic destinations like Quang Tri, and international options including South Korea and Russia. The event allowed travelers like Tran Van Khoat to compare detailed itineraries before making final decisions. Nguyen Van Khanh highlighted the advantage of fairs for seniors in securing complex or
group trips that are harder to arrange online, with family support playing a role.
Discount Offers by Travel Companies and Hotels
Exhibitors at the event presented significant discounts to encourage bookings. Hanotours offered VND 10 million (US$410) discounts on US-bound tours and VND 5 million (US$205) off Europe and Australia trips, along with 100 travel vouchers valued up to VND 5 million for early visitors. Hoang Viet Travel provided discounts up to VND 10 million (US$410) on 2026 World Cup tours and smaller reductions on Asian and domestic packages ranging from VND 400,000 to VND 3 million (US$16 to US$123).
Vietluxtour promoted green tourism with discounted summer
travel packages, including a five-day Hanoi-Da Nang-Hue tour starting at VND 3.99 million (US$163), a four-day Hanoi-Ly Son tour from VND 3.69 million (US$151), and trips to Phu Quoc or Quy Nhon priced from VND 3.19 million (US$130). Overland tours to China were available from VND 3.69 million.
Nextsar Travel distributed zero-cost tour packages and hotel vouchers in lucky draws and sold more than 100 Phu Quoc packages at VND 3.9 million (US$159) each. Vietravel applied up to 30 percent discounts on domestic tours and VND 10 million off international tours, with an additional early booking discount of up to
VND 3 million (US$123) for reservations made 30 to 90 days in advance. Participating hotels including Hoa Binh Hotel, Hanoi Hotel, Pullman Hanoi, De l’Opera Hanoi – MGallery, and Thang Long Opera offered various accommodation discounts and packages.
Official Insights and Traveler Impact
Nguyen Hoai Thu emphasized that elderly travelers not only accounted for a substantial portion of bookings but also influenced the speed and volume of purchases at the fair. Senior tourists preferred face-to-face booking opportunities for more complex itineraries, often supported by younger family members. The event’s incentives allowed these travelers to access premium tours and resort stays at reduced costs.
The combination
of price reductions, giveaways, and interactive activities, such as lucky draws, enriched the visitor experience while increasing bookings. This made travel fairs an essential venue for elderly customers to secure deals that may not be as accessible or straightforward online.
Expo’s Role in Vietnam’s Tourism Sector
The Hanoi travel expo’s inclusion of 31 provinces and cities, alongside 20 countries and territories, highlighted its growing regional and international significance. The presence of nearly 400 booths with over 600 organizations, including 15 percent international exhibitors, underscored efforts to promote digital transformation and green growth within Vietnam’s tourism industry. Travel companies leveraged the event to advance sustainable tourism practices
and attract a diverse traveler base.
The emphasis on offering substantial discounts on both domestic and international tours during the April 2026 fair was a key driver behind the marked increase in spending, particularly from senior tourists. This demographic’s active participation confirms their pivotal role in shaping demand at major tourism exhibitions in Vietnam.
