Mekong Delta ramps up cultural, tourism events to hit visitor goals

Localities in the Mekong Delta are striving to improve the quality of cultural and tourism products through standout events, aiming to attract visitors in the remaining months of the year, contributing to Vietnam’s goal of welcoming 25 million international arrivals and 150 million domestic tourists in 2025.

Tourists visit an eco-tourism site in the U Minh Ha forest in Ca Mau province (Photo: VNA)
Tourists visit an eco-tourism site in the U Minh Ha forest in Ca Mau province (Photo: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) – Localities in the Mekong Delta are striving to improve the quality of cultural and tourism products through standout events, aiming to attract visitors in the remaining months of the year, contributing to Vietnam’s goal of welcoming 25 million international arrivals and 150 million domestic tourists in 2025.

Following administrative boundary adjustments, the regional localities with great tourism potential have quickly reassessed their strengths and cultural identities, planning a series of cultural, art, sports, and commercial events to showcase their potential, promote their image, attract visitors, and draw investors to explore tourism and business opportunities.

The People's Committee of Ca Mau province has announced that the Ca Mau Crab Festival will be held from November 16 to 22 at various locations throughout the province. The festival will showcase a variety of events and activities that highlight the cultural identity of this southernmost region. It will provide an opportunity for tourists, residents, and businesses to explore the culture, people, and landscape of Ca Mau.

2.jpg
Tourists watch the sunset on Bai Truong, Phu Quoc island, Kien Giang province (Photo: VNA)

The festival will also include the signing of cooperation agreements and trade exchanges for seafood and other local specialties, with a focus on Ca Mau crab as a key product.

The Can Tho River Culture Festival 2025 is set to take place in Can Tho city from December 27, 2025, to January 1, 2026. This festival is a key cultural and tourism event for the city and will feature a variety of activities that celebrate riverine and orchard culture, showcase ecological tourism products, present art performances, and highlight local culinary specialties. The festival aims to promote the unique river culture of the Mekong Delta, particularly that of Can Tho city, while also encouraging the sustainable use of river-based tourism resources.

The festival is expected to support the development of urban tour routes, enhance river tourism connections between Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho, and other Mekong Delta provinces, and expand cross-border river tourism circuits linking countries along the Mekong River.

Meanwhile, the Dong Hoa Hiep Ancient Village Culture and Tourism Festival is set to take place from December 3 to 7 in Cai Be commune, Dong Thap province, highlighting the village’s heritage, handicrafts, and eco-tourism linked to agricultural production.

Additionally, the Sa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival 2025 is scheduled for December 27 to January 4 in Sa Dec ward of Dong Thap province, celebrating the village’s renowned floriculture, known as the “flower capital” of the Mekong Delta region.

The Mekong Delta localities not only organise standout events but also design and connect diverse itineraries, combining cultural and historical tours with immersive local experiences across the Delta, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Southeastern region, attracting both domestic and international visitors.

According to a representative from HCM City’s Department of Tourism, to enhance connectivity, the agency launched a new tour, starting from the southern metropolis, passing through Dong Thap and An Giang provinces, with many historical and cultural sites, border landmarks, and exploring trade activities at the Vietnam-Cambodia border gates.

Meanwhile, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vinh Long province Duong Hoang Sum said that Vinh Long is offering visitors multiple experiential routes under the motto “One route, three destinations,” highlighting the distinctive tourism resources of the three former provinces of Tra Vinh, Ben Tre, and Vinh Long before their mergers.

According to Nguyen Van Bay, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Can Tho city, the locality is stepping up promotion and connections with HCM City and other localities in the region, as well as key tourist destinations nationwide, including Hanoi, the Northwest, the Northeast, and the Central Highlands. Visitors are offered diverse experiences, from river ecotourism and cultural tours to historical sites and craft villages, to educational tourism and MICE tourism./.

VNA

See more

The Gia Lai provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism welcomes international tourists aboard the NOBLE CALEDONIA – ISLAND SKY cruise ship upon its arrival at Quy Nhon Port on March 27. (Photo: VNA)

Visit Vietnam Year 2026: Gia Lai introduces tourism potential, prospects

Gia Lai identifies tourism as one of its five key economic pillars, aiming to develop its tourism sector toward 2030 in a sustainable, professional, and culturally distinctive direction, with culture, nature, and people at the core, while promoting digital transformation and regional connectivity as key drivers.

Visitors delighted by the warm welcome from Gia Lai province. (Photo: VNA)

Luxury cruise ship makes port call in Quy Nhon

During the stopover, approximately 79 passengers joined shore excursions to well-known local landmarks, including Ong Nui Pagoda and the Twin Towers. Visitors also enjoyed performances of traditional Binh Dinh martial arts and explored distinctive cultural features of the locality.

Tourists at the Hue Imperial Citadel (Photo: VNA)

Tourist arrivals in Hue surge, further growth expected

During the period, the city has welcomed more than 1.9 million visitors, up 31.3% year-on-year. Of the total, international arrivals exceeded 843,000, rising 26.7%, while domestic visitors reached over 1.05 million, up 35.2% compared with the same period last year.

Deputy Director of Da Nang’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Thi Hoai An speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang launches 2026 tourism stimulus, MICE promotion programmes

The city targets welcoming around 19.1 million visitors in 2026, including 8.7 million international arrivals. It expects that synchronised stimulus and promotion efforts will enhance visitor experience, add value, and foster sustainable tourism development

Vietnam saw a 22% rise in tourist numbers last year – and is showing no signs of wanting the growth to slow (Photo: telegraph.co.uk)

Vietnam praised as a welcoming destination for global travellers

From the otherworldly Ha Long Bay with its sprinkling of column-like islands, to the delicious cacophony of Ho Chi Minh City’s food markets, Vietnam is too often overlooked in favour of its larger neighbour Thailand, despite offering more competitive prices.

Foreign tourists excited by Ha Giang travel experiences. (Photo: VNA)

Ha Giang, Hoi An gain global spotlight in Time Out’s 2026 rankings

If Ha Giang represents the beauty of space, Hoi An embodies the beauty of time. Ha Giang evokes both geological grandeur and human stories while the ancient town stands out not only for its distinctive visual charm but also for its vibrant living environment and its rare ability to preserve a natural connection between heritage and contemporary life.

Dien Tho Palace (within the Complex of Hue Monuments) serves as the residence of the Empress Dowagers and Grand Empress Dowagers during this period. It is one of the distinctive architectural structures that has remained almost intact to the present day. (Photo: VNA)

Hue awakens heritage through community strength

The city is now shifting its development strategy to focus on the community, empowering local residents to become true guardians of heritage by preserving, creating, and directly enjoying the benefits of their cultural legacy.

Korean tourists on Ho Chi Minh City's book street (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese destinations attracting Korean visitors amid “micro-trip” trend

Last year, Vietnam welcomed more than 4.3 million Korean visitors out of a total of nearly 29.6 million Koreans traveling abroad. This volume significantly outpaces Korean arrivals to neighbouring competitors like Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines, cementing Vietnam’s status as a premier regional hub for East Asian tourism.

Ha Long Bay, located in northeast Vietnam, is beloved for its blue waters and spread of limestone islands - all occupied by tropical trees and wildlife. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam named among world’s 28 most beautiful countries

In its latest list, the US-based magazine noted that while cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City attract millions of visitors each year, Vietnam’s true allure lies in its diverse natural landscapes and immersive travel experiences. The country, it said, is “a haven for outdoor enthusiasts” and anyone drawn to scenic beauty.

The enduring appeal of Hoi An's heritage lies not in static structures, but in its vibrant presence in everyday life. (Photo: VNA)

Hoi An, Da Nang Int’l Airport named among world’s best

Hoi An has been named among “The 51 most beautiful places in the world” by British magazine Time Out, while Da Nang International Airport has, for the third consecutive year, secured a place in the world’s Top 100 airports by Skytrax.

French tourists learn about Vietnamese tourism at the 49th World Travel Fair held in Paris (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam refines tourism promotion strategy to elevate national brand

At the fair, Vietnam’s pavilion drew strong interest from travel businesses, experts, and European visitors. According to organisers, Vietnam, along with Japan and Thailand, was among the Asian countries most searched for by French tourists, reflecting growing European attention to Southeast Asia and Vietnam.

International tourists visit the historical sites of the Dinh and Le Kings' temples in the ancient capital of Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh province (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam sees surge in foreign tourist arrivals, driven by safe destination image

Tourism experts attributed the strong growth to a combination of factors, including more open visa policies, diversified tourism products, and intensified promotion activities. Vietnam’s growing reputation as a safe and friendly destination has also played a significant role in attracting international travellers.

Through the lens of Travel + Leisure, Phu Quoc emerges as an open-air showcase of global architecture

US magazine calls Phu Quoc “a global showcase for architecture”

In a fresh perspective on the island, Travel + Leisure moves beyond beaches and resorts to spotlight Phu Quoc’s evolving identity. The magazine highlights how internationally inspired architectural works are increasingly shaping the destination, forming a new tourism character.

Unlocking tourism potential of Hoi An’s southern coastline

Unlocking tourism potential of Hoi An’s southern coastline

The central city of Da Nang possesses nearly 200km of coastline – the longest in Vietnam, with scenic landscapes and favourable natural conditions for tourism and service development. However, only about half of this coastline has been utilised for tourism activities, mainly concentrated in central Da Nang and Hoi An Ancient Town. Large stretches of coastline south of Hoi An remain largely untouched, holding significant potential for future development.