With the two national holidays on April 30 and May 1 falling just before a weekend this year, the tourism market has become red-hot.

Operators have unveiled a clutch of new and interesting tours, many of them offering a chance to get off the beaten track.

Con Dao Island is on top of many tourists’ wish list thanks to its scenic and virgin coast and extreme sports like high-speed canoeing and deep-sea diving. Besides, the tour comes quite cheap at around VND2.9 million (US$180) all-inclusive.

For those wishing to experience the life of southern feudal lords of the past, Fiditour offers a new tour called Ba Gio Lam Dien Chu (Being a Landlord for Three Hours).

For three hours, visitors can reprise the luxurious life enjoyed by the landlords. The trip will include a fancy meal and a trip to a rice paddy or a performance of ca vong co, a popular southern folk music.

While most of the new tours on offer take visitors to the deep south, Saigontourist takes them to the north to explore the ancient Dong Son Culture in Vinh and Thanh Hoa cities.

The Dong Son archaeological site, Lam Kinh Citadel, and Thanh Hoa Museum offer them a chance to admire the sculptures and charming dances dating back to the era of the Hung Kings.

The tour costs VND4.5 million for departure from HCM City and VND1.52 million from Ha Noi.