Central region advised to promote tourism growth through cultural heritage

The year 2025 is expected to mark a significant turning point for tourism in Central Vietnam, as localities in the region simultaneously roll out large-scale, strategic initiatives aimed at redefining cultural experiences for holidaymakers.

Inside Phong Nha cave, Quang Binh province (Photo: VNA)
Inside Phong Nha cave, Quang Binh province (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang (VNA) – The year 2025 is expected to mark a significant turning point for tourism in Central Vietnam, as localities in the region simultaneously roll out large-scale, strategic initiatives aimed at redefining cultural experiences for holidaymakers.

At the heart of this transformation is the annual national drive Visit Vietnam Year, hosted by Hue city this year under the theme “Ancient Capital, New Horizons.” This initiative is complemented by coordinated promotional campaigns in Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Da Nang, and Quang Nam, each contributing a distinct “instrument” to a powerful and harmonious “symphony” of the region’s heritage tourism.

According to Tran Thi Hoai Tram, Director of the Hue Department of Tourism, the return of the Visit Vietnam Year to the city for the second time is a “golden opportunity” for it to make a strong impression, fully leverage its cultural assets, and regain tourism growth momentum. Hue is introducing a range of creative new tours and experiential routes that showcase its strengths in cuisine, the iconic Vietnamese traditional dress “ao dai,” traditional festivals, craft villages, and ecological attractions.

In Quang Binh, the focus remains on adventure and eco-tourism, with the globally renowned Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park and Son Doong Cave continuing to be the local crown jewels. The province aims to welcome 5.5 million visitors in 2025.

Quang Tri, rich in historical significance, is embracing digital storytelling and memorial tourism to bring depth and modern appeal to landmarks such as the Quang Tri Citadel, Hien Luong Bridge – Ben Hai River, and the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail.

quang-tri-citadel-vna2.jpg
Monument to the heroes and martyrs at Quang Tri Citadel, Quang Tri province (Photo: VNA).

Meanwhile, Da Nang, the region’s most modern urban hub, reinforces its role as a regional gateway with the slogan “Enjoy Da Nang 2025 – Diverse Experience.” A dynamic calendar of music, culinary, and beach sports festivals, along with the famed international fireworks festival, is planned. Expanded international flight routes, dedicated cruise ship terminals, and the integration of digital technologies into tourism management and promotion further strengthen the city’s appeal.

Quang Nam is breathing new life into its iconic sites of Hoi An, My Son, and Cham Island – by combining local cultural depth with contemporary trends. The province is also promoting new eco-tourism, agricultural, and community-based travel routes in its mountainous west, diversifying the well-trodden path Hoi An – My Son – Cua Dai beach.

Though the region holds immense untapped potential, the true flourishing of its heritage tourism lies not only in promotion or infrastructure investment. A vital element is cultivating the art of heritage appreciation by offering travellers more profound, immersive experiences such as curated storytelling spaces, mindfulness and spiritual healing activities rooted in culture, and other forms of engagement./.

VNA

See more

The Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is a major attraction for visitors to Ninh Binh. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam tourism accelerates green transition to power 2026 growth

Looking ahead to 2026, the tourism sector targets about 25 million international arrivals, 150 million domestic holidaymakers and total revenue of around 1.12 quadrillion VND (approximately 43 billion USD), reflecting its ambition to develop tourism into a spearhead economic sector in line with the Government's goals.

Fireworks illuminate the Han River during the 2025 Da Nang International Fireworks Festival. (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang announces theme of signature international fireworks festival

The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2026 will feature two Vietnamese teams and eight international teams from China, Italy, Germany, Portugal, France, Japan, Macao (China) and Australia. Four of these teams will be participating in the festival for the first time, promising fresh highlights and surprises.

Built in 1895, the stone church has been carefully restored and preserved in its original state, and remains an iconic symbol of the misty town of Sa Pa. (Photo: VNA)

Sa Pa listed fastest-growing destination in Asia: Agoda

Based on Agoda’s comparison of accommodation bookings between January-November last year and the same period in 2024, Sapa climbed 15 places in the rankings of Asia’s top 100 destinations, making it the fastest-growing destination in the region.

Tourists visit the Dien Bien Phu Victory Monument, which was built to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory. (Photo: VNA)

Positive signal for Dien Bien’s tourism sector in 2026

Tourism in the north-western province of Dien Bien is showing clear signs of revival in the opening days of 2026, reflecting efforts to realise the resolution of the 15th Provincial Party Congress, which identifies tourism as a spearhead economic sector.

Tourists enjoy exploring Ho Chi Minh City by Vespa. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City tourism pivots to quality-driven growth

Tourism development is being steered towards a multi-product, multi-space model that closely links the city centre with riverside, coastal and ecological forest areas, within the broader vision of a post-merger mega-city.

Foreign tourists in Vinh Long. The Mekong Delta locality welcomed nearly 9.5 million visitors in 2025, with a total revenue of 8 trillion VND. (Photo: VNA)

Vinh Long tourism gears up for breakthrough in New Year

The Mekong Delta locality has enhanced tourism promotion activities with an emphasis on sustainability and eco-friendliness, steadily building the brand of Vinh Long as a safe, hospitable, and high-quality destination.

In Dong Van, the beauty of karst formations formed hundreds of millions of years ago remains the soul of the journey. (Photo: VNA)

Dong Van transforms advantages into smart tourism

Dong Van is opening a new journey, where each scan by visitors is not only a marker on their travel map but also a stream of live data helping the highland region step into the era of smart tourism.

Quang Ninh province welcomes first foreign visitors on the occasion of the New Year holiday. (Photo: baoquangninh.vn)

Quang Ninh sees tourism surge during New Year holiday

From December 31, 2025 to January 2, 2026, Quang Ninh welcomed around 530,000 visitors, including 44,400 foreign tourists. The number of overnight guests was estimated at 158,000, while total tourism revenue reached approximately 1.28 trillion VND (over 48.55 million USD).

Visitors at a tourist site in Hue (Photo: VNA)

Hue tourism set for further breakthrough in 2026

Favourable weather on the first day of the New Year helped attract a large number of visitors to Hue via air, sea, road and rail. The Complex of Hue Monuments remained the city’s most popular attraction, with more than 8,700 tickets sold on January 1 alone, generating nearly 1.5 billion VND in revenue.