On the morning of August 19, Thu Huyen, a 21-year-old traveler from Hanoi, began searching for homestay availability in Lo Lo Chai (formerly Ha Giang, now part of Tuyen Quang Province) to prepare for an upcoming trip with friends over the September 2 National Day break.
She contacted three to four different accommodations, only to receive the same response: all room inventory for their intended dates was already sold out.
Lo Lo Chai has become a top destination for domestic and international travelers (Photo: Ly Le)
Checking online booking platforms, the travel group found virtually no vacant listings in Lo Lo Chai between August 30 and September 3. To visit the area during this holiday window, travelers must consider finding accommodations in neighboring areas such as Dong Van and Meo Vac.
Huyen’s situation is not an isolated case. Around two weeks before the holiday, numerous homestays across Lo Lo Chai announced they were completely sold out, underscoring the strong appeal of the destination this National Day season.
A survey conducted by Dan Tri reporters across various lodging properties in Lo Lo Chai confirmed a sharp surge in holiday bookings.
At Cuc Bac Homestay, staff confirmed that all rooms were fully reserved from August 30 through September 3.
Similarly, Lo Lo Eco Home reported full occupancy throughout the peak holiday days.
The owner of Hanh Phuc Homestay shared that while the property receives continuous inquiries for September 2 bookings, they have had to turn away new requests, most of which come from family travel groups.
A homestay offering scenic views facing the Lung Cu Flag Tower. (Photo: Chanh’s Homestay)
Despite the surge in booking inquiries, accommodation operators confirmed they would not inflate prices during the peak period.
According to Sinh Gi Gai, village chief of Lo Lo Chai, tourists showed a clear trend of booking far earlier this year. At present, almost all local accommodation households have reported zero vacancies.
Lo Lo Chai currently has 68 households operating homestays, including four newly launched properties. The village provides a total lodging capacity of roughly 1,200 to 1,300 guests.
The village chief noted that visitors finalized their bookings nearly a month before the holiday, depleting available inventory rapidly.
Homestay rates in the village start from 800,000 VND per night. (Photo: Chanh’s Homestay)
Lodging rates in the village range from 800,000 to 2 million VND per room, depending on room configuration.
At the 800,000 VND rate, guests receive a private en-suite single-bed room without air conditioning. Rooms priced around 2 million VND feature three to four single beds, en-suite bathrooms, and air conditioning.
Located in a high mountainous zone, nights in Lo Lo Chai are chilly, and guests typically require blankets while sleeping.
Beyond accommodation, local homestays offer dining services, allowing visitors to order traditional meals directly at their lodge throughout their stay.
Local authorities have actively reminded and instructed business households to publicly post room and food prices, strictly prohibiting unauthorized price hikes during high-demand periods.
Travelers are also advised to contact homestay operators directly via official phone numbers listed across platforms, preventing intermediaries from hoarding room blocks and reselling them at inflated rates.
During the upcoming holiday, visitors arriving in Lo Lo Chai will park motorbikes and cars in designated areas outside the village and proceed on foot. This measure reduces vehicular congestion in the central zone, enhancing the visitor experience and preserving open walking spaces.
“Local authorities continuously inspect and guide business households to ensure transparent pricing, preventing negative practices that could affect local tourism,” Gai stated.
Lo Lo Chai is nestled in Vietnam’s northernmost reaches in Lung Cu Commune, Tuyen Quang Province, adjacent to the iconic Lung Cu Flag Tower.
The village charms travelers with its traditional rammed-earth houses (nha trinh tuong), stone-stacked fences, and preserved cultural lifestyle of the Lo Lo ethnic group.
Travelers visit the village not only for the picturesque mountain scenery, but also for immersive cultural experiences, local cuisine, and community life.
Lo Lo Chai gained widespread international acclaim after being named one of the “Best Tourism Villages” by UN Tourism (the United Nations Tourism Organization).
This global recognition marks a defining milestone for local tourism, bringing the cultural image of Lo Lo Chai closer to travelers worldwide.
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