Van Anh, from Ha Dong District said she contacted seven lodgings in northern mountainous areas to book a room for her holiday but failed.

According to a representative from a travel firm in Hanoi, tourist sites near Hanoi and those in northern mountainous localities such as Sapa in Lao Cai, Hoa Binh, Yen Bai, Ha Giang and Cao Bang are attracting people due to higher airfares to the central and southern regions.

The travel agent expects to serve between 6,000-8,000 tourists going to northern mountainous localities during the holiday with an average price of VND3-8 million per person.

Despite high demand, the company has ceased selling new tours since April 20.

Serena Resort Kim Boi, for example, has been fully booked since early April.

Le Minh Duc, general director of Viettrekking, said the firm is organising eight mountain climbing tours. The most popular tours have been to Pu Ta Leng in Lai Chau and Nhin Co San in Lao Cai.

A mountain climbing tour typically includes 7-10 people, but the groups would increase to 20 this holiday.

This year, the Reunification Day and May Day holidays last five days, starting on April 27.