According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, the country served approximately 14 million visitors during the Tet holiday, representing a 12% increase compared to the same period in 2025. The figures reflect not only rising travel demand but also improvements in service quality and visitor spending, indicating growth in both scale and value.

Accommodation performance was equally encouraging. The nationwide average room occupancy rate reached between 55 and 60%, while many leading destinations recorded significantly higher figures. Phu Quoc achieved occupancy of around 95%, Sa Pa reached 90-95%, and popular leisure destinations such as Da Lat and Phan Thiet reported rates ranging 80-90%. These numbers underscore the strong appeal of Vietnam’s diverse tourism offerings during the festive season.

International arrivals posted remarkable growth across major cities and heritage destinations. Da Nang welcomed an estimated 510,000 international visitors, up 32% year on year. Hue recorded approximately 238,200 international arrivals, marking an impressive increase of 207%. Hanoi served around 217,000 international visitors, rising 55%, while Ho Chi Minh City received about 170,000 international guests, up 51.7%. In several localities, the number of international visitors approached or matched domestic arrivals, reflecting Vietnam’s strengthening competitiveness and global visibility.

The surge in international travel has been supported by favourable visa policies, effective promotional campaigns, and continuous innovation in tourism products by local authorities and businesses.

At the same time, domestic tourism remained a key pillar of growth. Bookings for domestic tour packages increased by approximately 15 to 20% compared to last year, accounting for a larger share than outbound travel. Travelers increasingly favoured longer stays and more personalised experiences, with a growing emphasis on cultural immersion, heritage exploration, and authentic local engagement rather than short, multi-destination trips.

Leading travel companies such as Vietravel and Saigontourist contributed to the vibrant holiday atmosphere by launching a wide range of Tet-themed programmes and experiential tours. These included traditional Lunar New Year celebrations designed for international visitors, city tours operated by double-decker buses, and river cruises in Ho Chi Minh City. New tourism products introduced during the period, together with cultural performances and immersive heritage experiences, enriched the festive landscape and enhanced visitor satisfaction.

Hospitality establishments across the country elevated the holiday spirit through gala dinners, lion dances, traditional cake-making activities, calligraphy workshops, and Tet-themed markets, offering guests an authentic insight into Vietnamese cultural traditions. Several localities also provided free access to selected heritage sites and organised complimentary public transport services during the first days of the New Year, facilitating travel and encouraging exploration.

Transport infrastructure operated at high capacity to accommodate the surge in demand. Airlines added hundreds of thousands of seats and increased flight frequencies on both domestic and international routes. Major gateways, including Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai, and Da Nang airports, recorded peak passenger volumes during the holiday period. Cruise tourism also demonstrated encouraging signs of recovery, welcoming more than 10,000 passengers as multiple international vessels docked at coastal destinations.

Overall, the performance during Tet 2026 presents a comprehensive picture of recovery and sustainable growth. Tourism revenue in many destinations increased by more than 30%, in some cases outpacing the rise in visitor numbers, indicating higher value-added services and improved spending quality. The evolving travel behaviour of consumers, marked by digital bookings and demand for personalised, culturally rich experiences, further reflects a more mature and resilient tourism market.

The strong results achieved at the very beginning of 2026 provide solid momentum for the year ahead and reinforce confidence in Vietnam’s continued ascent as a dynamic and competitive destination in the global tourism landscape.

Central Highlands makes global debut in Tripadvisor’s 2026 travel rankings

VOV.VN - For the first time, a destination in Vietnam’s Central Highlands has been recognised by Tripadvisor in its 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best, with Quy Nhon, now part of Gia Lai province, ranking fourth among the world’s 25 Trending Destinations.