Travel

Tourism experts noted that Vietnam’s affordable travel costs, attractive tourism services, scenic beaches, rich cultural heritage and diverse cuisine continue to make the country a popular destination for Chinese visitors.

The heritage train offers passengers not only a means of transport, but also a sense of connection linking destinations across central Vietnam, tourism with transport, and nostalgic memories with contemporary experiences. While older travellers are reminded of journeys from decades ago, younger passengers and international visitors are discovering a greener, culture-rich way to explore the region.

The Booking.com’s Travel Trends 2026 data revealed that a growing number of Vietnamese travellers, about 74% of respondents, are channelling “Main Character Planning Energy”, where planning and booking is just as enjoyable as the trip itself.

As night falls, the dining experience transcends to the extraordinary as the Phu Quoc sky ignites with spectacular fireworks from the Symphony of the Sea and Kiss of the Sea shows.

Rather than rushing to “check in” at as many attractions as possible, slow travel allows visitors to immerse themselves in local life. Travellers may spend time wandering through a highland market, learning to cook a traditional dish, cycling around a coastal fishing village, or simply enjoying the tranquil rhythm of life in the countryside.

A surge in visitor numbers during the Hung Kings Commemoration Day and the April 30–May 1 holidays underscored Vietnam’s rising tourism appeal, fueled by refreshed travel products and improved visitor experiences.

A special documentary on Son Doong Cave, the world’s largest cave, was aired on March 29 in the renowned “60 Minutes” programme of CBS News. The report retraced the discovery of Son Doong Cave and years of expeditions conducted by the British Cave Research Association, offering global audiences a comprehensive look at the cave through scientific, historical and human perspectives.

To maintain growth and move towards becoming a premier Asian tourism destination, Da Nang has outlined a comprehensive development strategy focused on both infrastructure and product diversification.

The plan sets out concrete steps to promote eco-tourism and community-based tourism, aligned with a green, sustainable approach closely linked to local communities.

Known for its white-sand beaches, luxury resorts, night markets, and large-scale entertainment projects, the island is increasingly attracting travellers looking for a tropical getaway that combines nature with modern tourism infrastructure.

The project aims to effectively tap the area’s natural landscapes, geographical advantages and distinctive historical value, while creating a high-quality tourism product with strong competitiveness. It is also intended to preserve, honour and promote the value of the Dien Bien Phu Victory special national historical relic site.

It now functions as both a transport hub and a sought-after photo spot. In the early morning, with mist still threaded through the pines, the station radiates an old-world calm. Visitors arrive at dawn to breathe the mountain air and capture iconic images of the highland city.

Alongside wedding tourism, Quang Ninh is also seeing robust growth in arrivals of Indian MICE travellers. Delegations of hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of visitors have been coming to the province for conferences, seminars and incentive travel programmes combined with leisure stays.

The strong performance reflects not only seasonal demand but also changing travel trends, with new tourism products, immersive experiences and short-distance travel gaining popularity.

One of the most distinct differences lies in the very first step of the journey: entry. Phu Quoc is currently the only destination in Vietnam to apply a 30-day visa-free policy for direct international arrivals.

Surveys conducted in the first months of this year showed a growing trend toward integrated tourism packages combining accommodation, cuisine and entertainment services, enabling visitors to enjoy short itineraries that blend urban tourism with coastal resort experiences.

Phu Quoc is evolving into a closed-loop entertainment ecosystem developed by Sun Group in the southern part of the island. Here, visitors can enjoy a full itinerary from dawn until late at night without the need for long-distance travel.

Da Nang expects to welcome nearly 20 million domestic and international visitors in 2026, continuing to affirm its appeal as a dynamic and distinctive destination in Vietnam and the region.

Enriched by the alluvial deposits of the Mekong River, the region stands out for its dense canal network, year-round fruit orchards, biodiversity-rich national parks, and vibrant folk festivals – invaluable assets for developing diverse tourism offerings, from orchard-based eco-tourism and river experiences to cultural, festival, resort and nature conservation tourism.

Thai Nguyen targets at least 12 million visitors by 2030, including 11 million domestic and 1 million international arrivals, with tourism revenue exceeding 25 trillion VND (494 million USD) annually and around 10,000 jobs created.