Interesting Facts of Vietnamese Travellers When Staying in a Holiday Home

For Vietnamese travelers, food has always been more than a daily ritual, it’s an expression of love, culture and connection and this tradition continues to shape how, where, and why they travel. According to Booking.com’s Taste of Home Report 2025, food now plays a central role in shaping the holiday home experience, with 84% of Vietnamese travelers choosing destinations based on local cuisine.

Alternative accommodations such as beach houses, apartments, guestshouses, homestays are becoming the preferred choice for these food-inspired journeys, offering the privacy, freedom and flexibility to dine, host, and cook in authentic, home-like spaces. Vietnamese travelers are drawn to the privacy, flexibility and social atmosphere these accommodations provide. Holiday Homes are where they can enjoy meals on their own schedule, relax with loved ones, and create shared culinary memories.

Data from Booking.com’s Taste of Home Report 2025 uncovers 5 interesting habits and interesting facts of Vietnamese travelers when staying in an alternative accommodation.

• The joy of shopping at local spots

For Vietnamese travelers, discovering a destination starts at the market. 80% said they enjoy visiting local supermarkets or food markets while on holiday, not just to shop, but to explore and connect. Whether it’s handpicking vegetables in Da Lat, sampling fresh seafood in Nha Trang, or browsing spices in Hoi An, these experiences are part of the joy of travel. Vietnamese travelers aren’t only looking for fresh ingredients, they’re collecting stories, supporting local businesses and recreating regional dishes in their kitchens.

• Trolley Tourism: The Market is the Must-See Stop

For Vietnamese travelers, discovering a destination starts by engaging with the local food economy. 80% say they enjoy visiting local supermarkets or food markets while on holiday, a phenomenon we call “Trolley Tourism”, not just to shop, but to explore and connect. Whether it’s handpicking vegetables in Da Lat, sampling fresh seafood in Nha Trang or browsing regional spices in Hoi An, these market visits are becoming a vital part of the travel joy. Travelers aren’t just looking for fresh ingredients; they’re collecting local stories, supporting local businesses, and seeking the flavors needed to recreate authentic regional dishes in their kitchens.

• The love for beach houses and BBQs 

When it comes to choosing where to stay, Vietnamese travelers love spaces that let them gather, cook, and eat together. According to the report, beach houses (36%) are the most preferred type of alternative accommodations when traveling for food, followed by rural retreats (25%), city apartments (25%), guesthouses  (25%) and homestays (23%). These preferences go hand in hand with the distinctly Vietnamese tradition of sharing meals. The popular dishes travelers enjoy cooking on holiday include BBQs or grilled meals (40%), seafood feasts (35%) and hotpot gatherings (34%). From seaside BBQs to cozy hotpot nights, these classic communal dining experiences bring everyone to the table, highlighting a food culture built around sharing, laughter, and warmth.

• The change of cooking habits while staying at holiday homes 

Cooking habits change when Vietnamese travelers check into a holiday home. 96% say their cooking behavior shifts during their stay turning their kitchen into a social hub. Nearly half (45%) enjoy group cooking where everyone takes part in meal preparation. 38% happily experiment with new appliances like BBQ grills and hotpots, 33% attempt to recreate local specialties and 29% try new recipes or cooking methods. Cooking has become a form of cultural discovery, a way for travelers to experiment, learn, and connect. In the accommodation, the kitchen is no longer just a practical feature but the true heart of the stay, where food becomes a creative outlet for cultural discovery and connection.

• The “portable pantry” that travels everywhere

Even as they explore new flavors, Vietnamese travelers also love to add the taste of their own home by bringing some of the familiar comforts on the road. Booking.com’s report found that 91% of Vietnamese travelers would bring food or cooking-related items along on their trips. Some of the popular items they usually bring from home are favourite snacks (43%); instant noodles (35%); dipping or seasoned salt (32%); portable BBQ tools (28%), bread (27%); sweet tea or instant coffee sachets (25%); basic condiments such as fish sauce or MSG (25%).

• The eager for exciting food experiences 

Beyond the kitchen, Vietnamese travelers’ curiosity also extends to food-focused experiences that bring them closer to local culture. Almost half (48%) would like to join guided food tours to explore authentic dishes from restaurants and street vendors. 47% are drawn to foraging or farm-to-table activities, while 43% are eager to explore working farms and meet producers firsthand.

• Freedom, Not Fancy Dining, Drives Bookings

Vietnamese travelers choose holiday homes for the freedom they offer. The top three reasons for choosing this accommodation type focus on convenience and connection:

1. A more private and relaxed setting to enjoy meals (38%).
2. Greater freedom to eat without set mealtimes (36%).
3. The opportunity to host and share meals with friends and family (35%).

These experiences turn travel into a sensory journey that satisfies both curiosity and appetite. Whether learning how to make a regional dish or tasting something for the first time, food continues to be the key ingredient inspiring where Vietnamese travelers go next. 

Booking.com is making trip planning more sweeter by offering unbeatable Black Friday* deals across accommodations, car rentals, attractions and flights. For Vietnamese travelers planning their next getaway, this Black Friday brings discounts of up to 35% off global stays, up to 25% off rental cars and up to 20% on select attractions, with additional flight savings available on 300+ carriers to destinations worldwide. Deals are live from November 21, 2025 – December 4, 2025 for travel as far out as December 31, 2026, helping travelers making it easy to plan a family getaway, a bucket-list escape or a foodie trip these deals are designed to help travelers make their next trip memorable, affordable, and uniquely theirs.

###

ABOUT BOOKING.COM

Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com’s mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. By investing in the technology that helps take the friction out of travel, Booking.com’s marketplace seamlessly connects millions of travelers with memorable experiences every day. For more information, follow @bookingcom on social media or visit news.booking.com.

CONTACT DETAILS 

For further information, contact the Booking.com Vietnam Press Office: 

Khanh.bui@edelman.com /+84 92 301 27 99

Truc.diep@edelman.com / +84 93 904 52 69

Ngoctram.nguyen@edelman.com / +84 96 523 31 56

METHODOLOGY

* Up to 35% saving available on new accommodation bookings at participating properties indicated by the “Black Friday Deals” badge on the search results and room selection pages. Saving varies depending on the destination country, a full breakdown of discounts is detailed below: at least 40% saving on properties in Asia and Oceania; up to 50% savings on properties in the United States and up to 35% saving elsewhere. Bookings must be made before 10:00 am CET on 04/12/24 for stays with check-in from 21/11/24 and check-out on or before 31/12/25. Saving applies to the cost of a room only (excluding any extras, additional fees or taxes). If you make any changes to your booking you may lose your savings and be liable for the full amount. Saving cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotions. Room rates labeled “Partner Offer” are excluded from this promotion. This offer is provided by the participating property and subject to availability.

*Up to 25% saving available on new car rental bookings on participating car rentals indicated by the “Black Friday” badge on the search results page. Bookings must be made before 11:59pm GMT on 04/12/24 for car rental pick-ups between 21/11/24 and 31/12/25. Saving applies to the cost of the car rental only (excluding any extras, additional fees or taxes). If you make any changes to your booking you may lose your saving and be liable for the full amount. Savings cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions made available by the car rental company. This offer is provided by the participating car rental companies and subject to availability. For full terms and conditions see here.

*4Up to 20% saving to a maximum value of 20 € (or local currency equivalent) per ticket available on new bookings for selected attractions indicated with a “Black Friday” badge. Offer provided on a first come first served basis, based on an allocated campaign budget. Offer will end at the earlier of 10:00 am CET on 5/12/24 or the campaign budget being utilised (“Campaign End”). Bookings must be made before the Campaign End and for a visit within 90 days of the book date. Saving applies to the cost of the attraction only (excluding any extras, additional fees or taxes). If you make any changes to your booking you may lose your savings and be liable for the full amount. This offer is provided by Booking.com and our partners, Viator, Musement, and Klook, and subject to availability.

Related

Source: Vietnam Insider