BIGBANG concert drives Hanoi hotel searches up to 50% before ticket sales

A representative of Klook, an Asia-Pacific travel booking and experiences platform, said domestic searches for Hanoi hotels on Klook rose nearly 50 percent year on year in July, while international searches increased by around 30 percent.

Data from online travel platform Traveloka showed that the BIGBANG concert in October had pushed domestic travel searches to more than four times their usual level.

The BIGBANG 2026-2027 WORLD TOUR "XX: COSMOS" is scheduled for October 24 and 25 at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi, with ticket prices ranging from VND1 million (US$38) to VND10.5 million ($400).

The seating plan and ticket prices were announced on August 3, prompting fans to start setting aside money and planning trips to the capital.

Fan communities have also been actively sharing ticket-buying tips and information about ticket-booking services ahead of the August 13 sales date.

Nhat Linh, a resident of Ho Chi Minh City, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) online newspaper that she began saving as soon as she learned that BIGBANG would perform in Vietnam.

After missing G-Dragon's concert last year, she said she was determined to attend this time regardless of the cost.

If she manages to secure the cheapest ticket, Linh estimates that the entire trip could cost around VND7 million ($266) on a budget.

She expects to spend about VND500,000 ($19) per night on a homestay and around VND600,000 ($23) on local transportation, in addition to airfare and expenses for exploring Hanoi's culinary scene, including bun cha (grilled pork patties and pork slices), pho (noodle soup made with clear broth, rice noodles, and thinly sliced beef or chicken), and egg coffee.

"Even if I can only afford the cheapest ticket, just being able to share the same atmosphere with the idol I grew up with would make it worthwhile," Linh said.

Lan Anh, another Ho Chi Minh City resident, said she was eagerly waiting for ticket sales on August 13. However, as she is not sure she will get a ticket, she has yet to book a flight or hotel.

The VND1 million ($38) price for a CAT 5 ticket in Hanoi is lower than the equivalent ticket category for some other stops on the group's Asian tour.

This means Vietnamese fans may not only compete with one another but also face competition from fans in Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, and other countries.

International concerts give tourism a boost

Klook expects demand for leisure activities and experiences in Hanoi to rise further as the concert approaches and fans finalize their itineraries and book travel services.

Drawing on its experience supporting international music events, Klook said Vietnam has strong potential to emerge as a new destination for music tourism.

This model not only offers attractive prices to travelers but also serves as a key incentive for them to stay longer, increasing spending across various service sectors and maximizing revenue throughout the tourism ecosystem, the Klook representative said.

To realize this potential, Klook said event venues need to meet international standards for capacity, sound, lighting, and security while ensuring sufficient accommodation, transportation, and related services to handle increased visitor numbers.

Businesses could also offer integrated packages combining concert tickets with hotels, sightseeing, dining, and shopping services instead of selling tickets alone.

Such packages could provide more competitive prices while encouraging visitors to extend their stays.

The trend is also reflected in market research.

Grand View Research estimates that the global music tourism market will exceed $330 billion by 2033, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.8 percent from 2026 to 2033.

Two BLACKPINK concerts at My Dinh Stadium in July 2023 attracted around 170,000 tourists, including more than 30,000 international visitors.

Tourist spending during the two concert days was estimated at around VND630 billion ($24 million), according to the Hanoi Department of Tourism.

Hotels around My Dinh Stadium reported higher occupancy rates, while demand for air travel also increased significantly.

Similarly, Agoda data showed that accommodation searches before Charlie Puth's performance at the 8Wonder music festival in Nha Trang in south-central Vietnam in July 2023 rose 80 percent among domestic travelers and 25 percent among international travelers, highlighting the appeal of combining music festivals with leisure tourism.