Four-Day Holiday Becomes 'Golden Season' for Urban Services in Ho Chi Minh City

The recent four-day holiday proved to be a "golden season" for Ho Chi Minh City's urban service sector, with bustling activity reported across the city. From the iconic Nguyen Hue Walking Street and Bach Dang Wharf to popular shopping centers like Ben Thanh Market, central districts saw a significant influx of visitors. Families and young people alike flocked to these areas for sightseeing, entertainment, and dining, contributing to a vibrant holiday atmosphere. Many locals consciously chose to stay within the city, prioritizing cost savings and convenience over long-distance travel, allowing them to fully immerse themselves in the holiday spirit without the added expense and hassle of distant trips.

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Many families will go to the city center in the evening because the weather is cooler and easier to travel, even though the road is crowded, the atmosphere is much more breathable.

The increased demand placed immense pressure on local businesses, pushing restaurants, cafes, and other service providers to operate at near-full capacity. To cope with the surge, many establishments had to increase staffing, extend operating hours, and bolster their inventory. Experiential businesses, such as dinner cruises on the Saigon River and themed cafes, also reported a substantial rise in customer numbers. Some restaurants even implemented policies to prioritize walk-in customers over pre-booked reservations to ensure continuous service and fairness, with average wait times reaching up to an hour and a half during peak periods.

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Many hot cafes we went to didn't even have tables, we had to wait about half an hour to get in. Service fees also range from about 10%, some places are 10,000 - 15,000 VND.

This holiday period significantly boosted revenue for many businesses, with some reporting earnings two to three times higher than on regular days. However, this increased income came with a proportional rise in operational costs, particularly for staffing, which reportedly doubled. Despite the challenges, the "golden season" offered a valuable opportunity for businesses to test new seasonal products and gather customer feedback. The vibrant scene in Ho Chi Minh City during the holiday underscores the resilience and adaptability of its service industry, demonstrating its capacity to cater to both local and tourist demands effectively.

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The holiday is also the "golden season" of the urban service industry. Therefore, daily revenue can increase many times (2-3 times) compared to normal days. But in return, the cost for personnel also has to increase twice.