Khanh Hoa (VNA) – With its striking natural scenery, rich cultural heritage, convenient transport links and year-round sunshine, the south central province of Khanh Hoa is pulling in crowds of travelers, both domestic and international, over the four-day 2026 New Year holiday.
Cam Ranh International Airport is buzzing, reporting a solid 15% jump in passengers compared to the same period last year. From January 1-4, it expects to manage over 510 flights, a 4% increase year-on-year, with more than 320 international and 190 domestic services. Total passenger volume topped 95,000, up 15% annually and a hefty 20% from the current week.
The iconic Po Nagar Cham Towers saw over 10,000 visitors in just the first two days of the holiday. Nearby attractions like Long Son Pagoda, the National Oceanographic Museum, and Nha Trang Xua Craft Village with hands-on traditional Tet workshops are also packed with enthusiastic crowds.
Most domestic travelers to Khanh Hoa come from Ho Chi Minh City and nearby provinces, while foreign arrivals are mainly from the Republic of Korea, China, Russia and Australia. Hotels in Nha Trang and Bai Dai area are running at occupancy rates exceeding 90%.
Local operators are spoiling visitors with a tempting lineup of entertainment and food experiences, from the immersive “Legendary Light” show that brings traditional craft villages to life to the brand-new “Chum Show – The Kiss of Art” at Do Theatre. Best of all, many firms have promised no holiday price surcharges.
Khanh Hoa previously adopted a tourism development strategy for 2025-2030, with a vision extending to 2045, in line with the provincial Party Committee’s push for double-digit annual growth in the sector through 2030.
For 2026, the province is set to stage major cultural, sports and promotional events, including the My Hoa - Khanh Hoa International Kiteboarding Championship, the 6th Cham Ethnic Culture Festival, activities tied to Visit Vietnam Year, summer campaigns and international cruise ship calls.
Khanh Hoa offers strong fundamentals for premium tourism, with 500km of coastline dotted with around 200 islands, perfect for marine adventures. It also features a vibrant mix of indigenous cultures, four UNESCO-listed intangible heritages, namely Nui Chua Biosphere Reserve, Cham pottery-making, Bai Choi folk singing and Don ca tai tu (southern amateur music), along with five national treasures and three special national relics, including the Po Nagar, the Po Klong Garai and Hoa Lai towers.
In 2025, the province hosted 16.4 million tourists, up nearly 14.4% year-on-year, with 5.5 million foreigners. Tourism revenue reached an estimated 66.7 trillion VND (2.56 billion USD). Riding this wave, it targets 18.1 million overnight visitors and over 77 trillion VND in tourism revenue for 2026./.
