Vietnam shines at FITUR int’l tourism fair in Spain

The main goal of Vietnam’s participation in FITUR is to highlight its growing presence among top global tourism destinations while introducing new offerings and the potential of the country as a travel destination for the Spanish-speaking community.

Visitors seek information on Vietnam’s tourist destinations at the 2026 FITUR International Tourism Fair. (Photo published by VNA)
Visitors seek information on Vietnam’s tourist destinations at the 2026 FITUR International Tourism Fair. (Photo published by VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s pavilion has captured great attention at the 2026 FITUR International Tourism Fair in Madrid, with cultural and culinary showcases, trade promotion activities, and initiatives to strengthen tourism cooperation with European partners.

Organised by the Vietnam Culture and Tourism Association in Europe (VNCT) in coordination with the Vietnam Cultural Centre in France, the pavilion aims to enhance Vietnam’s tourism presence in the European market while expanding connections with international partners in travel, tourism promotion, and media.

Notably, the “HOLA VIETNAM!” event and a cocktail party on the opening day, January 21, featuring Vietnamese culinary drew crowds of visitors, travel partners, and international tourism promotion agencies.

During the fair, B2B networking, cultural and art performances, and Vietnam – Spain bilateral meetings provided a platform for direct engagement.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, VNCT Chairwoman Le Y Linh said the main goal of Vietnam’s participation in FITUR is to highlight its growing presence among top global tourism destinations while introducing new offerings and the potential of the country as a travel destination for the Spanish-speaking community.

Luu Van Khang, Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in Spain, described FITUR 2026 as an important venue for businesses from both countries to meet directly, gain market insights, and expand post-fair cooperation.

Hailing Vietnam’s tourism prospects in the Spanish market, he noted that Spanish travellers are increasingly interested in historical sites, natural landscapes, experiences, and cuisine, which are also key strengths of Vietnam.

FITUR is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious tourism events, annually held in Madrid. It is regarded as a strategic gathering for the global tourism industry, particularly for Spanish-speaking and Latin American markets, and serves as an important gateway for travel businesses to enter the European market.

Taking place from January 21 to 26, this fair brings together more than 9,000 tourism businesses and organisations from over 150 countries and territories worldwide, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors./.

VNA

See more

A report on Sa Pa broadcast on France 2 - a channel of France’s national television. (Photo: VNA)

Sa Pa captivates French audiences as a standout Northwest destination

The report portrays Sa Pa as a landscape shaped by generations, highlighting the terraced fields that have been carefully carved and maintained by residents over centuries. A local guide told the programme that some of the oldest terraces in the area are around 250 years old.

French newspapers Le Figaro and Ouest-France publish features introducing SJourney, a luxury rail tourism service offering a trans-Vietnam travel experience. (Photo: Sjourney

Luxury trans-Vietnam rail journey captures French media attention

The SJourney itinerary is Vietnam’s first luxury rail cruise, jointly operated by PYS Travel and Vietnam Railways. The product is expected to open up a new direction for high-end tourism, built around slow-paced, immersive and emotionally rich travel experiences.

Visitors at the newly launched Pho Museum in Ben Thanh ward, Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: sggp.org.vn)

Lunar New Year tours boom

Since the beginning of 2026, many travel agencies have reported an increase in Lunar New Year tour bookings compared with the same period last year. Notably, tours focusing on cultural immersion, local lifestyles, and early spring festivals are gaining popularity, rather than purely leisure-oriented trips as seen in previous years.

A visitor climb the 90-metre “Great Wall of Vietnam” during an adventure tour of Son Đoong Cave. (Photo: VNA)

Plans to expand unilateral visa waivers to attract high-quality tourists

The Ministry of Public Security was assigned to further accelerate the application of information technology and digital transformation to improve electronic visa issuance procedures, simplify processes and shorten immigration clearance times at border checkpoints, creating maximum convenience for travellers.

An exhibition space that recounts the story of pho from a socio-historical perspective, blending documentary films, artefacts and installation art. (Photo: thethaovanhoa.vn)

Cultural, culinary tourism heightens Tet allure in Ho Chi Minh City

A notable new attraction is the Pho (rice noodle soup) Museum in Ben Thanh ward, which officially opened in mid-January. As the country’s first museum dedicated to culinary heritage, it is designed to preserve, develop and spread the values of Vietnamese cuisine to both domestic and international visitors.

A performance using Tet symbols run as part of the ongoing traditional Tet programme at the old Nha Trang craft village in Khanh Hoa province (Photo: baokhanhhoa.vn)

Nha Trang captivates visitors with traditional Tet atmosphere

Stepping into the old Nha Trang craft village, visitors feel as if they are shipped back to a rural village with areca palm rows, kitchen fires, trays of traditional cakes, and red calligraphy couplets, among many other scenes, all of which stir memories of family reunions.

The Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex is a major attraction for visitors to Ninh Binh. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam tourism accelerates green transition to power 2026 growth

Looking ahead to 2026, the tourism sector targets about 25 million international arrivals, 150 million domestic holidaymakers and total revenue of around 1.12 quadrillion VND (approximately 43 billion USD), reflecting its ambition to develop tourism into a spearhead economic sector in line with the Government's goals.

Fireworks illuminate the Han River during the 2025 Da Nang International Fireworks Festival. (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang announces theme of signature international fireworks festival

The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2026 will feature two Vietnamese teams and eight international teams from China, Italy, Germany, Portugal, France, Japan, Macao (China) and Australia. Four of these teams will be participating in the festival for the first time, promising fresh highlights and surprises.

Built in 1895, the stone church has been carefully restored and preserved in its original state, and remains an iconic symbol of the misty town of Sa Pa. (Photo: VNA)

Sa Pa listed fastest-growing destination in Asia: Agoda

Based on Agoda’s comparison of accommodation bookings between January-November last year and the same period in 2024, Sapa climbed 15 places in the rankings of Asia’s top 100 destinations, making it the fastest-growing destination in the region.