Vietnam's tourism industry kicked off 2026 with a powerful surge, welcoming an impressive wave of visitors during the recent New Year holiday period.
Record-Breaking Holiday Arrivals
According to data released by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and reported by the local daily Suc Khoe & Doi Song on Monday, January 5, the country recorded approximately 3.5 million tourist arrivals from January 1 to January 4, 2026. This four-day holiday period provided a significant boost to the sector, creating favorable conditions for robust domestic tourism activity.
Ho Chi Minh City Leads the Charge
The southern economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City emerged as the top destination, attracting the highest number of visitors. The city welcomed about 1.24 million arrivals, marking a substantial 65 percent increase compared to the same holiday period last year.
Notably, international visitor numbers to the city saw an even sharper rise. Ho Chi Minh City received more than 75,700 foreign tourists during the four days, representing an 83 percent year-on-year jump.
Other Popular Destinations
Beyond Ho Chi Minh City, several other key areas across Vietnam reported high tourist traffic. Popular spots included:
- The northern provinces of Ninh Binh and Quang Ninh.
- The southern province of Lam Dong.
- The capital city of Hanoi.
Ambitious Targets for 2026
This strong start aligns with the sector's ambitious goals for the full year. Vietnam's tourism authority has set a target to welcome 25 million international arrivals and 150 million domestic visits throughout 2026. The successful New Year holiday period is seen as a positive indicator for achieving these targets, demonstrating the continued recovery and appeal of Vietnam as a premier travel destination in Southeast Asia.
