📝 OP-ED: Vietnam’s tourism sector bouncing back after reopening

Vietnam reopened to international tourists on March 15, and since then the sector has witnessed a large number of visitors arriving in localities nationwide thanks to a wide range of promotions.
📝 OP-ED: Vietnam’s tourism sector bouncing back after reopening ảnh 1

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam reopened to international tourists on March 15, andsince then the sector has witnessed  a large number of visitors arriving inlocalities nationwide thanks to a wide range of promotions.

Justa few days after the reopening, the central province of Quang Nam kicked offthe Visit Vietnam Year 2022, themed “Quang Nam - Green tourism destination”.

Throughoutthe year, nearly 300 cultural and tourism events will take place, including 64hosted by Quang Nam alone. The key activities will be held from May toSeptember.

📝 OP-ED: Vietnam’s tourism sector bouncing back after reopening ảnh 2Hoi An is a popular destination among Vietnamese and foreign tourists. (Photo: VietnamPlus)

InQuang Nam, Hoi An will be hosting many of these activities. The city and travelcompanies believe there is a good chance to introduce new tourism products tohelp tourism recover after a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

OnApril 8, Ho Chi Minh City - a major tourist magnet in Vietnam - welcomed 130visitors from the US, the first large group of foreign tourists to the southernmetropolis in two years.

Thisindicates interest among international tourists has begun to rebound, and that Vietnamin general and HCM City in particular are drawing attention from foreigntravellers, the municipal Tourism Department said, adding the local tourismsector expects a rapid recovery after the reopening.

📝 OP-ED: Vietnam’s tourism sector bouncing back after reopening ảnh 3Hue city, a former capital of Vietnam, is still upholding many tangible and intangible cultural heritages. (Photo: VNA)

Meanwhile,the south central province of Khanh Hoa is stepping up communications to advertiseitself and Nha Trang city as a safe, civilised and hospitable destination. Itis also working to welcome visitors from traditional markets, including Russia,back, director of the provincial Tourism Department, Nguyen Thi Le Thanh,noted.

Otherprovinces in the northwestern and Central Highlands regions are focusing ondeveloping tourism products that help travellers explore unique local cultures.

Incentral Thua Thien-Hue province, the former capital city of Hue is preparingfor the Hue Festival 2022, slated for June 25 to 30.

📝 OP-ED: Vietnam’s tourism sector bouncing back after reopening ảnh 4Ha Long Bay, a world natural heritage in Quang Ninh province (Photo: VNA)

QuangNinh province, a major tourism centre in the north of Vietnam, has planned aseries of events to stimulate travel, including hosting seven sporting eventsduring the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) this May. The highlightof these activities will be the Ha Long - Quang Ninh Tourism Week, including theHa Long Carnival, in late April and early May.

Vietnam’stourism has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, thenumber of international arrivals plunged by over 80 percent from the previousyear to 3.7 million, while domestic tourism halved. The sector lost about 23billion USD in revenue.

NguyenTrung Khanh, General Director of the Vietnam National Administration ofTourism, said the sector will work effectively on the tourism recovery anddevelopment programme in order to achieve the targets set in the country’ssocio-economic recovery and development programme.

Inparticular, it will renew products, services, infrastructure, personnel andpromotions, he went on, adding that the administration will also ask agenciesto issue support policies for tourism businesses and workers hit by thepandemic./.

VNA

See more

Sinh Village Wrestling Festival draws visitors on the 10th day of the first lunar month (Photo: VNA)

Central region bursts into life in early spring

Vietnam’s central region bursts into life each early spring, as a series of distinctive, centuries-old festivals draw both locals and visitors into celebrations steeped in deep cultural heritage and communal tradition.

International tourists presented with New Year lucky money. (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang bustles with international arrivals at start of Lunar New Year

According to the Da Nang International Airport and related units, during the Tet holiday, the total number of flights to Da Nang is estimated at more than 1,500, up about 36% compared with the Tet holiday in 2025. Average daily operations are expected to reach around 173 flights, an increase of 46 flights per day year on year.

A panoramic view of Ha Long International Cruise Port bustling on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year 2026, with the arrival of the luxury super cruise ships Seabourn Encore and Piano Land. (Photo: VNA)

First cruises usher in upbeat Lunar New Year tourism season

On the second day of Tet, Van Don International Airport is also set to receive private charter flights bringing Japanese business delegations to the province, with the simultaneous surge in sea and air arrivals reinforcing Quang Ninh’s status as a dynamic high-end tourism centre in the region.

On the sidelines of the HOLIDAY & SPA EXPO 2026, Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet met with Bulgarian Minister of Tourism Miroslav Borshosh. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam's tourism sector makes strong impression at HOLIDAY & SPA EXPO 2026

The Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria, in coordination with the Vietnam Cultural & Tourism Association in Europe (VNCT), organised a national booth highlighting the country’s destinations, people and signature products. The event provided Vietnamese firms with opportunities to introduce services, seek partners and tap into not only the Bulgarian market but also neighbouring Balkan countries.

Foreigners visit Da Nang in early 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Tet pulls in foreign travellers

For over a decade, The Cliff Resort & Residences in Mui Ne of Lam Dong province has turned its signature Chung Cake Festival into a staple draw for foreign tourists exploring the Phan Thiet–Mui Ne area and beyond.

Horse racing at the finals of the Expanded Traditional Bac Ha Horse Racing Festival in Bac Ha, Lao Cai. (Photo: VNA)

Lively Tet tourism season unfolds across Lao Cai

During the 2026 Tet holiday, Sa Pa is expected to remain one of Vietnam’s most sought-after destinations for both domestic and international visitors. With a long holiday break and a growing preference for cultural, nature-based and festive early-spring experiences, visitor numbers are forecast to spike, particularly from the first day of Tet through the full-moon period of the first lunar month.

The ticket policy allows families to enjoy a more flexible and fulfilling spring holiday at Ba Na during Tet 2026 (Photo: Sun Group)

Ba Na Hills welcomes Tet with three-day pass, million tulips in bloom

For the Year of the Horse, Sun World Ba Na Hills continues to attract families with this upgraded cable car policy. Starting January 1, each cable car ticket is valid for three consecutive days. This breakthrough initiative grants guests unlimited cable car rides within 72 hours from first use, offering unprecedented flexibility in planning their holiday.

International tourists visit Ho Chi Minh City's downtown area by double-decker bus. (Photo: VNA)

Golden opportunity for Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector to make breakthroughs

Market research reports indicate that Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector still has large room for growth if the special mechanisms under Resolution 98, Resolution 260 and Resolution 62/2025/NQ-HDND on incentives for attracting MICE visitors are effectively implemented. These policies are considered practical, helping enhance competitiveness, service quality and the city’s standing as a destination.

The Malta-flagged Celebrity Solstice, carrying 3,016 passengers, docks at Ha Long International Cruise Port in Bai Chay ward, Quang Ninh province. (Photo: VNA)

Quang Ninh expects surge in international cruise arrivals during Tet

With cruise tourism identified as a strategic growth segment, Quang Ninh has refreshed its tourism products to appeal to high-spending travellers. Newly designed short tours include Ha Long city sightseeing, visits to the provincial Museum–Library, local culinary experiences, and cultural and spiritual attractions.

Luxury cruise ship Le Jacques Cartier marks first international arrival in Con Dao in 2026. (Photo: Published by VNA)

Con Dao welcomes first international cruise ship in 2026

In 2025, Con Dao welcomed more than 612,000 visitors, including around 25,600 international arrivals. The arrival of Le Jacques Cartier early in the year is expected to provide fresh momentum for the island’s tourism growth in 2026.

During the two peak days ahead of Tet, the 26th and 27th days of the last lunar month, which fall on February 13 and 14, Tan Son Nhat International Airport is projected to operate up to 1,017 flights per day (Photo: Tan Son Nhat International Airport)

Tan Son Nhat airport expected to handle over 1,000 flights per day during Tet peak

Notably, during the two peak days ahead of Tet, the 26th and 27th days of the last lunar month, which fall on February 13 and 14, the airport is projected to operate up to 1,017 flights per day. Post-Tet peaks are expected on the 6th and 7th days of the first lunar month (February 22 and 23), with approximately 1,025 flights handled daily.

A tourist visits Ponagar Tower 2 in Khanh Hoa province. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese tourism sets historic milestone

According to official statistics, the country welcomed nearly 2.5 million international visitors in January, up 21.4% month-on-month and 18.5% year-on-year. A representative of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) noted that beyond its impressive scale, this figure reflects a notably positive and balanced growth structure across source markets.