The festival will feature nearly 100 booths designed as a multi-experience journey showcasing Hanoi’s culture, technology and sustainable tourism potential.
Ho Chi Minh City is shifting its focus from traditional sightseeing tours to a more distinctive experience-based tourism ecosystem that strengthens regional connectivity and leaves a strong destination impression.
The presence of diverse international architectural styles across Phu Quoc, rather than a single traditional architectural system, is not accidental but rooted in the island’s unique development context. Unlike cities with centuries of urban heritage such as Hoi An or Hue, Phu Quoc is a tourism destination that has grown rapidly over just the past few decades, without a clearly layered architectural legacy to inherit.
On March 6, 2026, the prestigious travel magazine DestinAsian officially announced its list of the top 10 islands in Asia for 2026 as part of its Readers' Choice Awards. Not only was it the sole representative from Vietnam, but Phu Quoc also made a remarkable impression by climbing to the runner-up position, continuing an impressive three-year upward trend.
In February alone, the country welcomed more than 2.2 million foreign visitors, marking the third consecutive month that the number of international arrivals exceeded the two-million mark, following 2.45 million in January 2026 and 2.02 million in December 2025.
Themed “Hoa Ban – Khat vong Dien Bien,” the festival was a highlight of the Dien Bien Culture and Tourism Week running from March 6 – 12. The annual event celebrated the beauty of the iconic Ban flower and promoted the culture, history and tourism potential of the Northwestern region.
Phu Quoc special zone is increasingly affirming its strong appeal to international visitors with impressive growth, positioning the “pearl island” as a standout destination in Southeast Asia and a direct competitor to renowned resort islands such as Bali in Indonesia and Phuket in Thailand.
Among the featured systems is the Hon Thom Cable Car, located on Phu Quoc. The cable line holds the Guinness World Records title as the world’s longest sea-crossing cable car, stretching nearly 8 km.
Hanoi’s appearance within the global media ecosystem of Condé Nast Traveler is expected to provide a significant boost to the city’s tourism appeal. Beyond enhancing its credibility as a travel destination, the recognition could also help attract high-end tourism services and encourage higher spending by international visitors.
Introducing the Visit Vietnam Year - Gia Lai 2026, Lich said the programme will feature 244 events, including 18 organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, 109 hosted by Gia Lai, and 117 response activities in 22 provinces and cities.
The Middle East has in recent years emerged as an attractive outbound destination for Vietnamese travellers, but rising military tensions have forced many Vietnamese tour operators to suspend departures and implement flexible contingency plans.
With their understanding of both local traditions and international contexts, OVs are proving to be an effective “soft bridge” in promoting the city globally, contributing to rising international arrivals and reinforcing Ho Chi Minh City’s position as a creative, globally integrated and culturally rich urban tourism destination
Vietnamese citizens have been advised not to travel to Iran, Israel, and other countries in the Middle East at present due to ongoing conflicts and complicated security developments, according to an official dispatch sent by the department to the above-mentioned units on March 3.
Vietnam’s exhibition area stands out with spacious and visually striking booths featuring businesses' most outstanding products as well as Vietnam's cultural icons such as cyclo models and traditional ao dai attire while a Vietnamese cuisine counter has drawn long queues of visitors.
In 2025, international arrivals to Phu Quoc surged by nearly 60%, marking a new breakthrough cycle. As 2026 begins, during the Lunar New Year alone, the island welcomed nearly 366,000 visitors (a 30% increase year-on-year), with international guests accounting for nearly 93,000 (up 24.3%).
In its list of “the best Bali alternatives worth exploring,” published by Australia’s leading travel site Escape, Phu Quoc is highlighted as a standout Southeast Asian destination, thanks to its appealing blend of reasonable costs, striking scenery, and diverse experiences.
During spring festival season 2026, Hanoi's major celebrations have aggressively adopted digital technologies across management, organisation, communications and promotion, presenting a more orderly and civilised image for traditional events.
Most travel firms in the city have activated 24/7 coordination systems, working closely with airline networks and international partners to implement appropriate response measures.
Vietnam’s tourism brand is demonstrating strong momentum and robust recovery amid record-breaking international arrivals, driven not only by market demand but also by renewed thinking and innovative approaches to destination promotion and marketing.
Vietravel has proactively arranged standard accommodation and ensured adequate meals and essential services for tourists while maintaining regular communication between tour guides, operational teams and customers to provide timely, transparent and continuous updates.