On August 19, Thu Huyen, 21, from Hanoi, began looking for accommodation in Lo Lo Chai, formerly part of Ha Giang and now in Tuyen Quang Province, for a holiday trip with friends.
After calling several homestays, she found them fully booked, while online platforms showed almost no availability from August 30 to September 3, leaving nearby Dong Van and Meo Vac as alternatives.
Huyen's experience is far from unusual. Several homestays reported being fully booked about two weeks before the holiday as demand surged.
Cuc Bac Homestay and Lo Lo Eco Home said they had no rooms available from August 30 to September 3, while Hanh Phuc Homestay said it was turning away numerous enquiries, mostly from family groups.
Despite strong demand, accommodation providers said they would not raise prices during the holiday.
Lo Lo Chai village head Sinh Gi Gai said visitors had booked earlier this year, with most of the village's accommodation already full.
The village has 68 homestay households, including four new operators, with total capacity of about 1,200-1,300 guests. Many rooms were booked around a month before the holiday, Gai said.
Room rates range from VND 800,000 to VND 2 million a night. The lower rate typically covers an en-suite room with one bed but no air conditioning, while larger air-conditioned rooms with three or four single beds cost about VND 2 million.
Despite its mountainous location and cool nights, most homestays also offer meals that guests can order during their stay.
Local authorities have asked accommodation providers to display room and meal prices clearly and avoid raising rates during peak periods.
Visitors are also advised to book directly with homestay owners through publicly listed phone numbers to avoid intermediaries buying up rooms and reselling them at higher prices.
During the holiday, cars and motorbikes will be parked outside the village, with tourists walking into the centre to reduce traffic and improve the sightseeing experience.
Located in Lung Cu Commune near Lung Cu Flag Tower, Lo Lo Chai is one of Vietnam's northernmost villages. It is known for its traditional rammed-earth houses, stone fences and the distinctive culture of the Lo Lo ethnic community.
Visitors come for its mountain scenery as well as local culture, cuisine and daily life.
The village gained wider international recognition after being named among the world's Best Tourism Villages by UN Tourism, helping raise its profile among domestic and international travellers.
