On the occasion of New Year 2025, many people book hotels, homestays, serviced apartments... mainly to rest and refresh their spirits by changing sleeping places and doing some relaxing activities.
With 1 day off to celebrate the New Year, Nhu Trang, 28 years old, living in Hanoi, chose a fully furnished serviced apartment to rest and focus on quality sleep.
Nhu Trang works in an office. She said that with a one-day vacation, she prioritizes resting and recharging her batteries. Trang and her friends booked a serviced apartment in Hanoi, with all the amenities of home, the difference being that the space is beautifully arranged, giving the feeling of traveling.
The cost of renting a two-bedroom apartment for four people is about 2 million VND per night. Food costs are nearly 2 million VND. Trang's group booked the room in early December because they were worried about running out of rooms close to the holiday.
"We bought food and cooked it ourselves, organized a simple party, brought board games to play together, then rested in the room," Trang said, adding that the staycation was an opportunity for the group of friends to get away from computer screens and phones, talk to each other more, and relax completely, without being tied down by work.
With only one day off for the New Year, many high-end hotels, homestays, and serviced apartments are still fully booked. Some accommodation service businesses in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City said that guests booking rooms during this time mainly want to rest, refresh their spirits by changing sleeping places, and engage in some relaxing activities.
Guests are mainly people who live and work in the city, choosing the staycation type. Staycation is a combination of the two words "stay" and "vacation", referring to the form of rest and relaxation at a location near home, which can be in the city or neighboring areas, instead of traveling far away.
A representative of Rey Hotel Hanoi said that the number of guests booking for New Year's Eve increased sharply from the beginning of December. The hotel was fully booked during the peak hours of the New Year, on the night of December 31 and January 1. Most guests booked individually, choosing to rent a two-day, one-night package. The hotel does not charge extra for the holiday "so that guests can have a complete experience".
The owner of Hanoi Old Quarter homestay said that although the vacation is short, many guests still want to experience the festive atmosphere without having to travel far. Guests come to the homestay to experience the cozy space, spending most of their time in the room watching movies, cooking, and relaxing.
"The need of guests this time is simply to change sleeping place in a new space," said a representative of Hanoi Old Quarter.
A representative of City Oasis serviced apartments in Ho Chi Minh City said that the occupancy rate for the New Year holiday was 100%, with guests booking 3-4 weeks in advance. The building has 27 apartments designed to prioritize personal experiences, with kitchen and bar areas, and additional health care services like at high-end hotels. Prices range from VND800,000 - VND2 million per apartment per night.
Their New Year customers are mainly couples, Gen Z and Millennial groups (generation 1981-1996).), a few are foreign guests. Guests mainly live in Ho Chi Minh City, booking rooms on the night of December 31, 2024 and January 1, 2025.
Ms. Luong Nhi, who lives in Binh Thanh, said she rented a room for VND900,000 at a boutique hotel (a small hotel that optimizes personal services) in Ben Van Don, District 4 on the occasion of New Year's Day to reward herself with a vacation in the city to rest and relieve stress. Nhi prioritizes rooms with open space, lots of trees, a soft bed, and a bathtub for relaxing.
"I spent the whole day off for myself because I was busy with work, didn't get enough sleep, and took care of my skin care carelessly," Nhi said, adding that she booked an additional spa package at the serviced apartment.
Cung Mi, Project Director of DD Hospitality - a provider of serviced apartments in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat, said one of the reasons why staycations are popular is the ability to help guests relax and "escape" from work without having to travel too far.
Staycation services often come with relaxation packages such as spas, massages, or swimming pools, helping guests "de-stress" after stressful working days. The bedroom and bathroom spaces are also designed with the comfort of guests as the focus.
Representative Kim Do - Royal Hotel Saigon said that in recent years, staycation service has become an important part of the hotel's business strategy. "Previously, tourists often traveled far to relax, but now, many customers, especially young people, are looking for quiet vacations right in the city," said the hotel representative.
The hotel offers a variety of staycation packages, from buffet breakfasts to experience packages that include spa treatments, outdoor sports, or yoga and meditation classes. The relaxing activities that come with the accommodation service "help guests not feel bored".
Nguyen Tran Phuong Uyen, who has more than 10 years of experience providing accommodation services in Ho Chi Minh City, said that young guests who choose staycation services want unique experiences, from room design to entertainment and relaxation programs to feel like they are traveling.
Varun Grover, Country Director of Booking in Vietnam, commented that as society becomes more and more hectic, sleep is gradually becoming a valuable resource. Sleep tourism is predicted to be a popular trend in the future. This is also one of the trends favored by Vietnamese tourists in the past year.
In March, Booking released the top 10 Asia-Pacific destinations where travelers want to travel to sleep the most. Vietnam ranked 6th, with 67% of respondents saying that the main purpose of their trip was to enjoy a good, uninterrupted sleep.
A representative of a homestay in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, said that staycation guests often spend most of their time resting in their rooms. This facility is equipped with high-quality mattresses, provides pillows according to guests' needs, rooms have soundproofing systems, large windows to welcome natural light and wind, and a smart lighting adjustment system.
"A beautiful room is not enough, the amenities must ensure guests have a good night's sleep and a complete vacation," said the homestay representative.
TB (according to VnExpress)