Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam drew roughly 14 million visitors during the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday from February 14 - 22, a 12% hike from a year earlier, fueled by a sharp surge in foreign arrivals to major destinations, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).
Foreign tourist numbers jumped considerably in key cities. Hue recorded a staggering 207% rise, while Hanoi climbed 55% and Ho Chi Minh City gained 51.7%.
Holiday travel booms nationwide
Nationwide hotel occupancy averaged 55%–60%, with several hotspots posting much stronger figures. Vung Tau hit about 80%, Da Lat and Phan Thiet ranged between 80%-90%, Sa Pa reached 90%-95%, Phu Quoc climbed to 95%, and Lo Lo Chai achieved full 100% occupancy.
Da Nang welcomed around 510,000 visitors, up 32% year-on-year. Hue hosted 238,200 travellers, up 207%; Hanoi saw 217,000, up 55%; Quang Ninh attracted 209,000, Ho Chi Minh City drew 170,000, and An Giang nearly 98,600.
VNAT Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh credited the foreign influx to streamlined visa policies, new tourism products, and more effective on-the-ground and digital marketing campaigns.
Revenue in major destinations rose more than 30%, outpacing the growth in visitor numbers. The gap points to higher per-capita spending, longer average stays, and improving service standards across the sector.
Local authorities boosted travel demand with cultural events and seasonal attractions. Notably, Hanoi featured the “Happy Tet 2026” series that recreated traditional holiday settings, while Ho Chi Minh City staged the Nguyen Hue Flower Street festival themed “Spring Convergence – Stepping Forward”. Da Nang offered traditional Tet markets and cultural events, Quang Ninh built a flower-and-light boulevard along Ha Long Bay, and Khanh Hoa hosted nearly 30 art and exhibition events.
Several localities offered incentives, including free public transport, such as bus and metro services in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and complimentary entry to key heritage sites like Hue’s imperial complex and the Yen Tu scenic area in Quang Ninh.
Tourism recovery gains momentum
Domestic tour bookings rose about 15–20% from a year earlier, continuing to outpace outbound travel as local products become more diverse and better quality.
Travellers booked services online rather than through package tours, with personalised itineraries, culturally immersive experiences and longer stays emerging as dominant trends. Early booking before the holiday to secure stable prices and better services also gained traction.
Cruise tourism showed signs of recovery, with more than 10,000 passengers arriving at international seaports during the holiday.
Looking ahead, the VNAT plans to revise the 2017 Tourism Law and relevant regulations to create a more supportive legal framework and submit a proposal to the Politburo in the third quarter of 2026 to turn tourism into a key economic sector in the next growth phase, Khanh said.
It will also focus on the master plan on national tourism system for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2045. Priorities include stronger destination management, accelerated digital transformation, enhanced global branding and promotion efforts, and preparations for the 2026 National Tourism Year in Gia Lai./.
