Positive signals for nationwide tourism as Vietnam welcomes its first visitors of 2026

Positive signals for nationwide tourism as Vietnam welcomes its first visitors of 2026

VOV.VN - Localities across Vietnam simultaneously organized ceremonies to welcome the first international and domestic visitors of the New Year at airports, seaports and key tourist destinations on the morning of January 1, 2026.

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Major airports expect surge in passengers during New Year holiday
Tourism destinations refresh offerings to welcome New Year/Lunar New Year visitors
Tourism destinations refresh offerings to welcome New Year/Lunar New Year visitors

To attract visitors during the year-end holiday season, particularly the New Year and the Lunar New Year (Tet) of 2026, tourist destinations across Vietnam are accelerating efforts to renovate facilities, diversify tourism products, and improve service quality.

Tourism destinations refresh offerings to welcome New Year/Lunar New Year visitors
India explores ways to boost tourism links with Vietnam
India explores ways to boost tourism links with Vietnam

The Indian Embassy in Vietnam hosted an interactive tourism workshop in Hanoi on December 30, bringing together Vietnamese travel businesses to seek ways for strengthening connections, diversifying offerings, and tackling challenges to attract more Vietnamese tourists to India.

India explores ways to boost tourism links with Vietnam
Statue of Konagamana Buddha on Ba Den Mountain to welcome visitors from January 1
Statue of Konagamana Buddha on Ba Den Mountain to welcome visitors from January 1

The enshrinement ceremony of the Konagamana Buddha Statue was solemnly held at Ba Den Mountain, Tay Ninh province, on December 29 (the 10th day of the 11th lunar month), with the participation of more than 450 venerable monks, monastics, and Buddhist devotees.

Statue of Konagamana Buddha on Ba Den Mountain to welcome visitors from January 1
Vietnam tipped as a top travel destination in Asia for 2026
Vietnam tipped as a top travel destination in Asia for 2026

VOV.VN - Vietnam is set to become one of Asia’s most compelling destinations in 2026, with a combination of striking natural scenery, cultural depth and the modern energy of its major cities, according to the French fashion magazine Vogue.

Vietnam tipped as a top travel destination in Asia for 2026
Australian newspaper praises Phu Quoc as "New Phuket" of Asia
Australian newspaper praises Phu Quoc as "New Phuket" of Asia

The Sydney Morning Herald, one of Australia’s most respected and long-established daily newspapers, has described Phu Quoc in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang as the “New Phuket,” praising the Vietnamese island for having some of Southeast Asia’s most beautiful beaches.

Australian newspaper praises Phu Quoc as "New Phuket" of Asia
Hue’s iconic tourist attractions promoted globally through CNN campaign
Hue’s iconic tourist attractions promoted globally through CNN campaign

Several of Hue’s most iconic tourist attractions, including the Imperial Palace and King Tu Duc’s tomb, have been featured by CNN in a promotional campaign designed to showcase the city’s cultural treasures to the world.

Hue’s iconic tourist attractions promoted globally through CNN campaign
Vietnamese tourists embrace longer trips for 2026 Lunar New Year celebrations
Vietnamese tourists embrace longer trips for 2026 Lunar New Year celebrations

With an unusually long Lunar New Year break ahead, Vietnamese families are looking beyond familiar holiday routes, opting instead for longer journeys and far-flung destinations as new flight links and tour offerings reshape Tet travel in 2026.

Vietnamese tourists embrace longer trips for 2026 Lunar New Year celebrations
Vietnam Airlines increases flights for New Year holiday travel
Vietnam Airlines increases flights for New Year holiday travel

Vietnam Airlines will operate additional domestic flights to meet rising travel demand during the New Year holiday.

Vietnam Airlines increases flights for New Year holiday travel
US media hails Phu Quoc as “Hawaii of Asia”
US media hails Phu Quoc as “Hawaii of Asia”

Travel Off Path, a renowned US travel site, has hailed Phu Quoc in the southern province of An Giang as an “Asian star,” citing its shockingly beautiful scenery and experiences that stand out to the rest of Vietnam.

US media hails Phu Quoc as “Hawaii of Asia”
Domestic tourism sees strong uptick ahead of New Year holiday
Domestic tourism sees strong uptick ahead of New Year holiday

Vietnam’s domestic tourism market is recording encouraging signs ahead of the 2026 New Year holiday, following the announcement that the public break will last four consecutive days from January 1 to 4.

Domestic tourism sees strong uptick ahead of New Year holiday
Vietnam named among Asia’s most attractive winter destinations for Indians
Vietnam named among Asia’s most attractive winter destinations for Indians

VOV.VN - Travel website Hindustan Times of India has selected Vietnam as one of six Asian most appealing winter destinations offering endless experiences to Indian visitors.

Vietnam named among Asia’s most attractive winter destinations for Indians
Da Nang tourism sees strong growth, targets sustainable expansion in 2026
Da Nang tourism sees strong growth, targets sustainable expansion in 2026

VOV.VN - Da Nang city, a major tourist destination in central Vietnam, welcomed 17.3 million visitors in 2025, up 15% year on year, underscoring the strong recovery and growing role of tourism in the city’s economic structure.

Da Nang tourism sees strong growth, targets sustainable expansion in 2026
Ho Chi Minh City set to welcome first Phở Museum
Ho Chi Minh City set to welcome first Phở Museum

VOV.VN - The first museum in Vietnam dedicated to Phở is scheduled to open to the public on January 15, 2026, at the corner of Nguyen Thai Hoc and Pham Ngu Lao streets in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City set to welcome first Phở Museum
Vietnam Airlines launches Ho Chi Minh City-Dien Bien direct service
Vietnam Airlines launches Ho Chi Minh City-Dien Bien direct service

VOV.VN - Vietnam Airlines officially launched its first nonstop air route connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Dien Bien on December 24.

Vietnam Airlines launches Ho Chi Minh City-Dien Bien direct service
Hanoi-HCM City ranks fourth among world’s busiest domestic air routes in 2025
Hanoi-HCM City ranks fourth among world’s busiest domestic air routes in 2025

VOV.VN - The Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City air route placed fourth among the world’s busiest domestic routes in 2025, according to OAG, a British aviation data and analytics firm.

Hanoi-HCM City ranks fourth among world’s busiest domestic air routes in 2025
Tourism industry poised for record revenue in 2025
Tourism industry poised for record revenue in 2025

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s tourism industry is on track to achieve record-breaking revenue in 2025, with total earnings expected to exceed VND1 quadrillion, representing a 19% increase compared to 2024, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).

Tourism industry poised for record revenue in 2025
Vietnamese arrivals to Thailand see sharp decline in 2025
Vietnamese arrivals to Thailand see sharp decline in 2025

VOV.VN - The number of Vietnamese tourists traveling to Thailand in 2025 has recorded a rare and significant decline, according to preliminary statistics from Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports (MOTS).

Vietnamese arrivals to Thailand see sharp decline in 2025
Giant Christmas tree made from 3,000 conical hats draws crowds
Giant Christmas tree made from 3,000 conical hats draws crowds

VOV.VN - Ha Phat Church in the southern province of Dong Nai has become a popular check-in destination in recent days, attracting large crowds eager to admire a 35-metre-tall Christmas tree crafted from 3,000 nón lá (traditional Vietnamese conical hats).

Giant Christmas tree made from 3,000 conical hats draws crowds
New direct air routes to Cam Ranh to be launched by foreign carriers
New direct air routes to Cam Ranh to be launched by foreign carriers

VOV.VN - Hunnu Air of Mongolia and Air Cambodia are preparing to open new direct air routes to Cam Ranh Airport in southcentral Khanh Hoa province from late 2025 and early 2026, helping improve air connectivity and attract international visitors to Nha Trang city.

New direct air routes to Cam Ranh to be launched by foreign carriers
What Vietnam expects from the launch of Visit Vietnam
What Vietnam expects from the launch of Visit Vietnam

VOV.VN - The recent launch of tourism ecommerce platform Visit Vietnam is expected to lay the digital foundation for a data-driven, transparent, and more competitive tourism industry, supporting smarter governance, more efficient business operations, and higher-quality travel experiences.

What Vietnam expects from the launch of Visit Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City adopts targeted policy to boost MICE tourism
Ho Chi Minh City adopts targeted policy to boost MICE tourism

VOV.VN - Ho Chi Minh City has introduced a targeted policy to support meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) tourism, focusing on large-scale groups of at least 100 delegates that meet strict requirements, including a minimum stay of three nights and at least two days of sightseeing in the city.

Ho Chi Minh City adopts targeted policy to boost MICE tourism
US travel site ranks Hoi An among Asia’s top four destinations for 2026
US travel site ranks Hoi An among Asia’s top four destinations for 2026

VOV.VN - US-based travel website Travel Off Path has named Hoi An Ancient Town, now part of the central coastal city of Da Nang, among its top four destinations in Asia to visit in 2026, ranking third on the list.

US travel site ranks Hoi An among Asia’s top four destinations for 2026
Hanoi’s St. Joseph’s Cathedral glows ahead of Christmas 2025
Hanoi’s St. Joseph’s Cathedral glows ahead of Christmas 2025

VOV.VN - St. Joseph’s Cathedral, one of Hanoi’s most iconic religious and architectural landmarks, has been beautifully decorated with festive lights, Christmas trees and nativity scenes ahead of Christmas 2025, creating a vibrant holiday atmosphere in the heart of the capital.

Hanoi’s St. Joseph’s Cathedral glows ahead of Christmas 2025
Tourism industry maps out post-recovery growth strategy
Tourism industry maps out post-recovery growth strategy

VOV.VN - The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) outlined a clear roadmap for tourism development in the coming years at a tourism review conference in Hue City on December 20, aiming to position tourism as a truly leading economic sector.

Tourism industry maps out post-recovery growth strategy
National Tourism Year 2025 elevates Hue's position on tourism map
National Tourism Year 2025 elevates Hue's position on tourism map

VOV.VN - The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Hue City co-hosted a conference on December 19 to review the National Tourism Year – Hue 2025, celebrating its achievements in promoting the city’s heritage and strengthening its national and international tourism profile.

National Tourism Year 2025 elevates Hue's position on tourism map
Artificial lake in Vietnam mirrors a European autumn as sweetgum leaves turn
Artificial lake in Vietnam mirrors a European autumn as sweetgum leaves turn

VOV.VN - In early winter, Ban Viet Lake, an artificial lake in northern Cao Bang province, takes on a brilliant red cloak as surrounding sweetgum forests change colour, attracting visitors in search of tranquil beauty in the mountains.

Artificial lake in Vietnam mirrors a European autumn as sweetgum leaves turn
"Visit Vietnam” platform supports unified tourism management using real-time data
"Visit Vietnam” platform supports unified tourism management using real-time data

VOV.VN - Vietnam’s national tourism data platform, “Visit Vietnam,” is set to be officially launched on December 20, 2025, in Phu Quoc, southern An Giang province, marking the start of a unified, data-driven approach to tourism management long anticipated by the sector.

"Visit Vietnam” platform supports unified tourism management using real-time data
Hanoi among world's top 6 most affordable cities for tourists
Hanoi among world's top 6 most affordable cities for tourists

VOV.VN - The capital city of Hanoi has been named in the list of world's most affordable cities for tourists as compiled by renowned UK-based travel magazine Time Out.

Hanoi among world's top 6 most affordable cities for tourists
Beyond 20 million visitor mark: A new test for Vietnam’s tourism industry
Beyond 20 million visitor mark: A new test for Vietnam’s tourism industry

VOV.VN - Vietnam has passed the 20 million international visitor mark in 2025, setting a tourism record and opening a new phase in which growth is increasingly tempered by sustainability concerns.

Beyond 20 million visitor mark: A new test for Vietnam’s tourism industry
Hanoi sets sights on 8.6 million international visitors by 2026
Hanoi sets sights on 8.6 million international visitors by 2026

VOV.VN - The Hanoi Department of Tourism organised a forum on December 17 outlining strategies to attract more than 8.6 million international visitors by 2026, a 10% increase compared to the estimated figure for 2025.

Hanoi sets sights on 8.6 million international visitors by 2026
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