New Experiences & Vital Updates this month!
Two new tours: Quang Nam’s Ky Anh Tunnel Discovery for hidden history and Inside Saigon’s Chinatown: Stories & Film for a vintage photo stroll.
Also, note Vietnam National Day celebrations (27 Aug-2 Sep). Get updates on Paradise Cruises, Hotel Perle d’Orient – Cat Ba’s management change, and new Scoot flights! Read more below.
Key Takeaways:
- Products: Quang Nam’s Ky Anh Tunnel Discovery for hidden history and Inside Saigon’s Chinatown: Stories & Film for a vintage photo stroll.
- Destination News: Hanoi’s National Day celebrations (27 Aug-2 Sep). Get updates on Paradise Cruises, Hotel Perle d’Orient – Cat Ba’s management change, and new Scoot flights! Read down for more.
Product updates
Quang Nam's Hidden History: Ky Anh Tunnel Discovery
Half day
For history lovers seeking a more profound understanding of the past, discover an off-the-beaten-path journey through Quang Nam. This experience offers a unique opportunity to connect with historical narratives and visit sites that reveal the history at a deeper, more intimate level.
- Explore Ky Anh Tunnels, a system of war tunnels, 1-hour from Hoi An.
- Hear stories from the American-Vietnam war.
- Interact with friendly locals and learn about their daily lives
Inside Saigon’s Chinatown: Stories & Film
Half day
This experience offers an adventure – stroll through bustling streets and authentic local markets, immersing in a unique blend of Chinese and Vietnamese culture all captured in the form of timeless black and white images by vintage camera.
- Deep dive into the vibrant Chinese district of Ho Chi Minh City.
- Use a vintage film camera as a companion, setting a nostalgic tone.
- Explore less-visited areas that offer an off-the-beaten track experience, within the city.
Destination News
- Paradise Cruises Halong Bay Updates:
- Paradise Sails will continue service until 30 April, 2026.
- Paradise Peak will cease operation on 31 December, 2025.
- Starting January 2026, a new brand—Paradise Legacy—will launch. Featuring 42 newly built cabins and enhanced facilities, it will become Paradise Vietnam’s most premium product. Further details will be shared soon.
- All other Paradise cruises will continue operating as usual.
- Hotel Perle d’Orient – Cat Ba Management Update
Effective 1 July, 2025, AccorHotels will no longer manage Hotel Perle d’Orient – Cat Ba. The property will transition to new management and be rebranded accordingly. All existing contract rates and conditions under AccorHotels will remain valid until 31 July, 2025, except for Accor Plus member benefits, which will no longer apply.
- Scoot introduces direct flight services from Singapore to Da Nang and Nha Trang – Operations are scheduled to commence progressively from October and November 2025. Initially, Da Nang flights will operate three times weekly, increasing to daily service by early 2026. Nha Trang services will also begin with two weekly flights, expanding to five times per week in early 2026. This expansion aims to enhance connectivity between Singapore and Vietnamese coastal destinations.
- Vietnam Airlines operating domestic flights from the new Terminal 3 – Tan Son Nhat Airport Ho Chi Minh City – A general reminder, from mid May, 2025, Vietnam Airlines (VNA), relocated the majority of its domestic flight operations to the new Terminal 3 (T3). VNA flights to Con Dao (VCS), Ca Mau (CAH), and Rach Gia (VKG) continue to operate from T1.
- Vietjet, Bamboo Airways, Vietravel Airlines and Pacific Airlines/VASCO continue to operate all flights from Terminal 1 (T1). VietJet will move flights to T3, the exact date to be announced.
Important note for bookings: 27-30 Aug & 2 Sep.
National Day Anniversary Celebrations in Hanoi
As previously announced, please be informed that Vietnam will celebrate its 80th National Day on 2 September 2025 with large-scale events in Hanoi, including a morning parade at Ba Dinh Square and evening fireworks at multiple locations. While this will be quite exciting, it will also have significant impacts on operations across the city. Below are some key details we’d like to make you aware of.
Key event details & dates:
- Parade rehearsal dates: August 27th & 30th
- First Rehearsal: August 27th (Wednesday) from 9:00PM. Contingency on August 28th (Saturday).
- Second Rehearsal: August 30th (Saturday) from 7:00AM. Contingency on August 31st (Sunday).
- Main parade event date: September 2nd
- Morning Parade: 6:30AM-10:00AM at Ba Dinh Square (Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum).
- Evening Fireworks: at the following locations include Hoan Kiem Lake, Thong Nhat Park, Van Quan Lake, My Dinh Stadium, and West Lake.
- City-wide broadcasts (testing from August 20th to August 30th)
- Approximately 270 LED screens and 400 broadcast speakers will be set up across the city for public viewing, with testing from August 20-30th.
Operational Impact: Due to the size and scale of these events:
- Central Hanoi will experience major road closures and heavy crowds, particularly near Ba Dinh Square and other key sites.
- The following sites will be directly affected by blocked roads and parade activities and may require alternative arrangements:
- Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex
- Temple of Literature
- Thang Long Citadel
- Museum of EthnologyTran Quoc Pagoda
- Quan Thanh Temple
- Vietnam National Fine Art Museum
- We recommend replacing city centre tours during this period to avoid disruptions. Please reach out for alternative arrangements.
- Our team will build in 3–4 hour buffers for any affected activities to minimise disruption.
Airport Transfers
- Access to and from Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) should remain possible throughout, as there are three main routes into the city. However, significant traffic delays are expected on rehearsal and event days. Please advise guests to allow extra time for airport transfers.
We will continue to share updates as more details become available. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring a smooth experience for all travellers during this national celebration.
Sustainability
EXO Vietnam Joins Zero Waste Tourism Network Official Launch
On 9 July, 2025, Trang Dao – Sustainability Coordinator at EXO Vietnam, attended the launch of the Vietnam Zero Waste Tourism Network at The Field Restaurant in Hoi An. Organised by the Da Nang City Provisional Tourism Association and the Pacific Environment Organisation Vietnam, the event brought together over 50 businesses, including several of our suppliers.
The network aims to foster 100 pioneering tourism businesses by 2030, focusing on effective waste management and achieving zero net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to sustainability and reducing single-use plastics.
It was inspiring to see Vietnam’s travel service providers connect and share insights. Trang gained valuable information about the challenges they face and the innovative solutions being implemented for waste reduction.
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