Vietnam’s Tourism Soars with 14 Million Foreign Arrivals in Eight-Month Span
	New Year’s Day 2026: Vietnam’s Tourism Makes Impressive Start with 3.5 Million Visitors

According to estimates from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), the country served around 14 million visitors during the nine-day Tet holiday, up 12% year-on-year. The figures reflect a vibrant, safe, and impressively expanding tourism season nationwide.

Tourism activities were not only bustling in major hubs but also expanded strongly across many localities, contributing to an overall positive picture. In several key destinations, international arrivals rose sharply. Da Nang was estimated to welcome 510,000 international visitors, up 32% year-on-year; Hue received approximately 238,200, a surge of 207%; Hanoi welcomed 217,000, up 55%; and Ho Chi Minh City received around 170,000, an increase of 51.7%. Localities such as Khanh Hoa and An Giang also recorded growth rates ranging from 23% to 28%.

In the domestic market, registrations for domestic tours increased by approximately 15–20% compared to the same period in 2025, accounting for a larger share than outbound tours. Tet travel trends indicated a clear shift toward personalized experiences, with travelers prioritizing the exploration of local cultural values and opting for longer stays rather than visiting multiple destinations within a short timeframe.

Visitors receive lucky money upon arriving in Quang Ninh on the first day of the Lunar New Year. (Photo: Agriculture and Environment Newspaper)

The average occupancy rate at accommodation establishments during Tet reached approximately 55-60%. Many destinations reported exceptionally high rates, including Lo Lo Chai (Tuyen Quang) at 100%; Phu Quoc (An Giang) at about 95%; Sa Pa (Lao Cai) at 90-95%; and Da Lat and Phan Thiet (Lam Dong) at 80-90%. In several localities, international visitor numbers approached or equaled domestic arrivals.

Statistics from local authorities indicate that major tourism centers continued to play a leading role. In Ho Chi Minh City, the Tet holiday saw approximately 4.32 million visitors, up 35%, with total tourism revenue reaching VND 12.15 trillion, an increase of 42.9%; the average room occupancy rate reached 75%. River tourism products, double-decker bus city tours, and experiences of traditional Tet cultural spaces attracted large numbers of visitors.

Hanoi was estimated to receive 1.34 million visitors, up 36.3%, generating VND 4.87 trillion in revenue, an increase of 40.2%; occupancy rates at four- and five-star hotels exceeded 72%. The “Happy Tet 2026” series of activities, Old Quarter spring flower markets, traditional Tet spaces, and early-spring festivals created significant appeal.

Da Nang welcomed approximately 1.1 million visitors, up 27%, with total revenue reaching VND 3.96 trillion. An Giang recorded 1.7 million visitors, generating VND 2.622 trillion in revenue, nearly a 40% increase. Lam Dong welcomed around 910,000 visitors, with occupancy rates reaching 75–80%.

Notably, total tourism revenue in many localities rose by over 30%. The market also witnessed clear shifts in consumer behavior: more travelers booked services through online platforms and prioritized experiences connected to culture, history, local identity, and longer stays.

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, the tourism landscape during Tet 2026 demonstrated comprehensive improvement. This outcome reflects the combined impact of favorable visa policies, effective promotional activities, and renewed tourism products developed by businesses and local authorities, while reaffirming Vietnam’s increasingly solid position in the international tourism market.

The nine-day holiday provided favorable conditions for people to plan their travels and created opportunities for travel agencies, hotels, restaurants, and transport providers to kick off the business year dynamically. As early as late 2025, the Authority issued directives to localities to ensure safe and effective tourism operations during the New Year and Lunar New Year holidays, focusing on maintaining security and order, traffic safety, fire prevention, food safety, and requiring transparent price listings and compliance to prevent profiteering during the festive period.

Officials and civil servants in the tourism sector were instructed to strictly implement directives from the Party Secretariat, the Prime Minister, and leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Tet duty plans were developed, with 24/7 staffing arrangements to promptly handle arising situations. Communication efforts and warnings about online scams involving discounted air tickets, tours, and hotel rooms were also strengthened.

During the nine-day holiday, no serious incidents involving tourists were recorded nationwide. Tourism activities proceeded safely and orderly, and the image of a green, clean, and beautiful destination was maintained.

“The success of this year’s Fire Horse Spring tourism season clearly demonstrates the proactive direction and management of the national tourism authority, the flexibility of localities and businesses, and the strong momentum of both domestic and international markets,” a representative of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism emphasized.

Encouraging signs at the beginning of the year are expected to provide strong impetus for the tourism sector to accelerate toward its 2026 targets of welcoming 25 million international visitors and serving 150 million domestic travelers.

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