Travel

The country has achieved about 56% of this year's target of 25 million foreign arrivals.

According to the online travel platform Booking.com, 85% of Vietnamese travellers consider sustainable travel a priority, while the same proportion want their trips to leave a positive impact on destinations.

The new direct routes will not only shorten travel times between Vietnam and Sri Lanka but also provide fresh impetus for cooperation in tourism, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges, helping to deepen the longstanding bilateral friendship in a more substantive and comprehensive manner.

While Phu Quoc was once primarily known for its turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and beachfront resorts, the island is now attracting visitors with a full-day journey of experiences stretching from morning until night, rather than simply offering a traditional beach holiday.

With its rich culinary diversity, distinctive flavours and affordable prices, Hanoi's street food has long been one of the capital's signature tourism products, helping promote its image and attract an increasing number of international visitors.

Between January and July, Hanoi welcomed approximately 5.31 million international visitors, an increase of 25% compared to the same period in 2025, while the domestic tourist number reached 15.85 million, up 11.9%.

Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA), said provinces should strengthen regional cooperation by developing integrated tourism routes linking Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Ninh Binh and neighbouring localities such as Hung Yen and Bac Ninh. Such cooperation would create complementary tourism products instead of isolated competition.

With advantages such as scenic landscapes, increasingly developed infrastructure and the capacity to host large-scale events, Vietnam is well-positioned to develop wedding tourism into a specialised product, helping to attract high-spending visitors and enhance the destination's competitiveness, an official has said.

Hanoi has long been known for the heritage cachet of a thousand-year-old capital. Hoan Kiem Lake, the Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature, the Thang Long Imperial Citadel and a network of craft villages have given the city a singular pull.

According to the municipal Department of Tourism, the city welcomed more than 7.1 million international visitors from January to July, up 42.7% year-on-year, while domestic tourists reached 31.6 million. Tourism revenue surged 55.3% to nearly 237.5 trillion VND (9.01 billion USD), achieving 72% of this year's target.

The Hudson Rooms, the rooftop bar perched atop Capella Hanoi, has been ranked No. 46 in Asia's 50 Best Bars 2026. It marks the first time a bar in Hanoi has entered Asia's Top 50, making Vietnam one of the few countries represented in this highly respected ranking. This year, only two Vietnamese bars secured a place in the Top 50.

The 2026 Ky Anh Tunnels–Dam River Reed Bed Cultural and Tourism Festival featured a rich programme of cultural, tourism and sporting events, including art performances, traditional ceremonies at Thach Tan and Vinh Binh communal houses, a re-enactment of soldiers returning to their village during wartime, a fish and shrimp release to replenish aquatic resources in the Dam River, and a community folk dance contest.

Speaking at the recent launch event for the Bangkok route, La Vinh Nam, the airline's Deputy Commercial Director, said the full-service carrier, owned by Vietnam's Sun Group, views Thailand as an important partner in promoting two-way tourism and attracting international transit passengers, rather than as a competitor.

One of the most notable successes is the premium Hoa Phuong Do (Flamboyant Flower) train operating between Hanoi and Hai Phong city. Since entering service in May 2025, the train has completed nearly 3,000 trips and carried around 1.33 million passengers.

Placed 9th, Phu Quoc is one of only two Southeast Asian destinations to make this year's list, alongside Palawan in the Philippines. Expedia said the rankings were compiled based on search trends, traveller interest and the growth potential of island destinations.

As localities move beyond resource-based tourism towards value-driven cultural development, they are creating distinctive destination brands while reinforcing Vietnam's position as a culturally rich and compelling destination on the global tourism map.

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), Vietnam welcomed 12.3 million international visitors in the first six months of 2026, up 15% year-on-year. The figure is the highest first-half number in recent years and puts the country close to halfway towards its target of 25 million foreign arrivals this year.

According to Lonely Planet, Da Nang stands out for its harmonious blend of beautiful beaches, an energetic yet relaxed lifestyle, a rich culinary scene and a diverse range of experiences spanning nature, culture, leisure and entertainment. The city is also praised as an ideal gateway to central Vietnam, offering convenient access to Hoi An, Hue and My Son Sanctuary.

Sun PhuQuoc Airways, the airline of Sun Group, officially launched in October 2025 and began commercial flights the following month, entering a Vietnamese aviation market riding a wave of post-pandemic recovery, but also grappling with rising costs, fleet constraints, talent shortages, infrastructure pressure, and intensifying service competition. Less than a year in, this newcomer has already made its presence felt.

Japan remained the top destination, attracting about 951,000 Korean visitors, accounting for 40.6% of total outbound tourists. Vietnam ranked second with approximately 278,000 visitors, followed by the US with 100,000, Taiwan (China) with 79,000, Thailand with 64,000, the Philippines with 61,000 and Hong Kong (China) with 59,000.