The Hanoi travel expo took place at the International Center for Exhibition (ICE) from April 9 to 12, 2026, featuring nearly 400 booths from more than 600 organizations across 31 Vietnamese provinces and cities, alongside exhibitors from 20 countries and territories. International participants accounted for approximately 15 percent of all exhibitors.
Senior Tourists as Primary Customers
Elderly tourists aged between 60 and 75 emerged as a key customer segment during the event. According to Nguyen Hoai Thu, Director of Saigontourist Hanoi, this group accounted for up to 40 percent of Saigontourist’s customers at the fair and were among the fastest decision-makers. Senior travelers preferred booking
at the expo due to attractive promotions and ease of comparing packages.
Tran Quang Binh, 82, booked a seven-day, six-night family tour to Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Suzhou costing over VND92 million (approximately US$3,760) for four people. He said, “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.” Tran Van Khoat, 77, was comparing itineraries to Quang Tri and South Korea planning to finalize his booking shortly. Nguyen Van Khanh, aged 87, who has traveled to more than 30
countries and recently visited Indonesia in 2024, showed interest in tours to China or Russia, adding, “At our age, it’s easier to look for tours at fairs like this rather than online.”
Discounted Travel Packages Offered
Hanotours provided discounts of VND10 million (~US$410) on US tours and VND5 million (~US$205) on tours to Europe and Australia, along with 100 travel vouchers worth up to VND5 million for early visitors. Hoang Viet Travel offered up to VND10 million discounts on 2026 World Cup tours and between VND400,000 and VND3 million (~US$16-$123) off domestic and Asian tours.
Vietluxtour focused on green tourism with summer packages priced
between VND3.19 million and VND3.99 million (~US$130-$163). Their offerings included Hanoi – Da Nang – Hue tours and overland tours to China. Nextsar Travel awarded zero-cost packages including trips to Cuc Phuong National Park and Phu Quoc, and offered over 100 Phu Quoc tour packages starting at VND3.9 million (~US$159) per person.
Vietravel offered discounts up to 30 percent on domestic itineraries and up to VND10 million (~US$410) on international tours, with an additional early booking discount of up to VND3 million (~US$123) for advance summer bookings.
Senior Travelers’ Preferences and Bookings
Tran Quang Binh’s booked family tour covered Chinese cities including Beijing and Shanghai
for over VND92 million. Tran Van Khoat planned trips to Quang Tri domestically and abroad to South Korea after comparing fair offers. Nguyen Van Khanh expressed interest in international tours to China and Russia following his 2024 Indonesia trip.
Senior travelers showed strong demand not only for international tours but also for four- and five-star domestic resort packages within accessible price ranges.
Official Statements on Senior Traveler Impact
Nguyen Hoai Thu, Director of Saigontourist Hanoi, confirmed seniors aged 60 to 75 as among the fastest buyers at the fair, representing up to 40 percent of their customers. This demographic showed robust interest in both high-end domestic
and international travel packages, prompting targeted promotional efforts by companies.
Event Features and Hotel Promotions
Themed “Digital transformation and green growth – Elevating Vietnam’s tourism,” the expo incorporated interactive activities such as lucky draws and giveaways. Accommodation providers including Hoa Binh Hotel, Hanoi Hotel, Pullman Hanoi, De l’Opera Hanoi – MGallery, and Thang Long Opera introduced discounted packages for lodging and dining, strengthening the event’s overall appeal.
Benefits for Elderly Tourists at the Expo
The Hanoi travel fair provided seniors with opportunities to access substantial discounts on tours and hotels unavailable through online platforms. With over 100 tour packages featured and multiple giveaways, attendees could secure comprehensive travel deals efficiently. The ease
of comparing offers onsite contributed to seniors’ quick decision-making and higher booking rates.
Digital and Green Tourism Focus
The 2026 Hanoi expo emphasized digital transformation and environmental sustainability as key themes. Several companies promoted green tourism products aligning with these goals while using the event as a sales platform for discounted packages to both domestic and international destinations. This strategy addressed growing market demand among senior and general travelers seeking eco-friendly and digitally enhanced travel experiences.
