Vietnam

On 6 Nov, Lam Dong province hosted a networking event to capture a larger share of Malaysia's outbound travel market by promoting and developing Halal-friendly tourism products. The event, which involved Malaysian counterparts like MATTA, aimed to share expertise and tailor offerings to Malaysian preferences. Malaysia is already among Lam Dong's top 10 source markets. 35,000 Malaysian tourists visited the province so far in 2025, 30% of total foreign arrivals. The initiative saw 6 travel companies from both countries sign deals to co-build tours

Typhoon Kalmaegi killed at least 5 people and left around 1.3 million without electricity, as well as damaged nearly 3,000 homes. Authorities evacuated over 537,000 people and warned of continuing heavy rainfall and the potential for flooding and landslides across central provinces. The storm followed a passage through the Philippines, where it killed at least 188 people

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism: - From Jan-Oct 2025, foreign arrivals to Vietnam reached nearly 17.2 million, +21.5% YoY - In Oct, 1.73 million foreign tourists visited Vietnam, +22.1% YoY - Air arrivals dominated, accounting for 14.6 million visitors, or 84.9% of the total, while land arrivals reached 2.4 million, +21.4%, and sea arrivals reached 205,100, +8.5% - Asia contributed 13.6 million arrivals, up 21% YoY, with 4.3 million from China (25.2%) and 3.6 million from the Republic of Korea (21%) - Russian arrivals surged by 182.2% YoY, the highest growth rate among all markets - Europe led regional gains with a 34.9% YoY surge to over 2.1 million - Arrivals from Cambodia were +50.3% YoY, the Philippines +89.1% YoY, Malaysia +5.8% YoY, Singapore +13% YoY, Indonesia +12.9% YoY and Thailand +10.1% YoY According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s National Statistics Office: - Revenue from accommodation and food services hit an estimated $26.73 billion USD, +14.6% YoY - Revenue from tourism and travel services reached 77.4 trillion VND, +19.8% YoY

On the evening of 5 Nov, the highest tides of the year caused severe flooding and widespread traffic paralysis across HCMC, particularly on Nguyen Tat Thanh Street. The Southern Regional Hydro-Meteorological Centre forecasts the peak tides on the Saigon River to reach 1.72-1.78 metres on 6 and 7 Nov, with high water levels expected to persist through 10 Nov. Numerous streets and low-lying neighbourhoods, including Huynh Tan Phat Street and Thao Dien, were affected, leading to stalled vehicles and chaos. The current flooding risk will be compounded by expected heavy rainfall over the next two days due to Typhoon Kalmaegi

On 4 Nov, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) launched its 2025 Tourism Roadshow in Washington D.C., initiating a series of U.S. promotions aimed at strengthening cooperation and boosting two-way visitor exchanges. The event saw 18 Vietnamese enterprises engage in B2B meetings with hundreds of US travel partners. VNAT is focusing on appealing products like golf, wellness, heritage, and culinary tourism. The Tourism Roadshow will be held in New York on 6 Nov, and Boston on 10 Nov. The VNAT Vice Chairwoman said that the U.S. is one of the largest source markets for visitors to Vietnam, known for high-spending tourists with long average stays (around 12 days)

From Jan-Sep 2025, Can Tho city received over 9.3 million visitors, including 350,000 foreign tourists, generating over $303 million USD in tourism revenue. The city is boosting sales of its 198 OCOP (One Commune - One Product) goods by promoting them directly at tourist attractions and eco-tourism sites, aiming for 30 more product additions this year

According to the municipal Department of Construction, Con Dao, a special zone of HCMC, is set to launch its first electric bus route (No. 173) in Dec 2025. This initial 17.1-kilometre route will link the central area (Con Dao Market) with Co Ong Airport, operating daily from 5:00 am to 8:00 pm with buses running every 15 minutes. According to the city’s transport plan, route No. 173 is the first step towards a planned bus network of 6 routes, covering about 74 kilometres and expected to provide convenient travel between major hubs like Ben Dam Port and the Airport, ultimately covering about 90% of the island's road network

Son Dong Village in Hanoi, known for its tradition of wood carving and gilding, supplying half of Vietnam's domestic market for religious statues, is now focused on gaining recognition as a member of the World Crafts Council’s Global Network of Creative Craft Cities. The village is home to nearly 700 craft households, and is implementing various initiatives, including investing in training and establishing a Creative Design Centre, to meet the criteria. The Chairman of the Son Dong Commune People’s Committee hope to achieve this recognition by 2025

VinSpeed unveiled plans for the Hanoi-Quang Ninh high-speed railway, a 120-kilometre line representing 1 of only 2 high-speed lines planned for the country. With a proposed investment of $5.3 billion USD and expected investment approval in late 2025, the company aims for commercial operation in Q1 2028. The railway will run through Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh, operating 18 hours a day. Initially, trains will run every 60 minutes, reducing to every 30 minutes from 2030

The Complex of Hue Monuments attractions reopened on the morning of 4 Nov following cleaning and repair work after severe flooding on 2-3 Nov. Despite the positive sign of international tour groups immediately returning, significant damage was sustained, including the collapse of a 15-metre section of the Imperial Citadel wall and peeling of brick flooring in courtyards and royal tombs. Furthermore, the embankment system of Ngoại Kim Thuy lake has suffered erosion and faces a high risk of subsidence

On 4 Nov, on the sidelines of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand, the First Deputy Foreign Minister of Uzbekistan held a working meeting with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Vietnam. The diplomats discussed prospects for developing bilateral cooperation across political, trade, economic, investment, and tourism spheres, while also exchanging views on regional issues

As of 4 Nov, central Vietnam saw the death toll rise to 40 people, with 4 remaining missing across 4 provinces including Hue and Da Nang. The region experienced a national record downpour of up to 1.7 metres in 24 hours, inundating historic sites like Hoi An

Due to renewed, prolonged downpours causing floodwaters to rise again, the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre temporarily suspended all visitor access to sites within the Hue Imperial Citadel, effective from 10:00 on 3 Nov. This marks the second closure in a week, following an earlier shutdown from 27-30 Oct. As of 10:00 on 3 Nov, the Huong River reached 0.77 metres above warning level 3, causing widespread inundation in low-lying areas of Hue city

From Jan-Oct 2025, HCMC welcomed nearly 6.6 million international visitors, +18% YoY. Total tourism revenue for the period reached around $8.2 billion USD, hitting 72% of the city’s annual target of nearly $11.5 billion USD. In Oct 2025, the city welcomed 705,000 foreign tourists, and 3.9 million domestic tourists. This momentum is attributed to diversified offerings and the return of long-haul markets

Domestic and international visitors started to return to Hoi An from 1 Nov, although the majority of the hotels, shops and restaurants need to undergo substantial cleaning after the flooding. Hue also reopened its citadel on 31 Oct, but rising river levels are still of concern with more rain expected

Heavy rains in central Vietnam have killed 35 people as of 2 Nov, with 5 still missing

In Oct 2025, Vietnam's northern and central regions experienced unprecedented downpours from Matmo and Fengshen storms, resulting in 35 broken rain records. Storm Matmo caused severe flooding and established records, particularly in Thai Nguyen, with the highest single-day rainfall of 491 mm. This storm led to 18 deaths, flooded over 239,000 houses, and caused economic damage estimated at over $646 million USD. Later in Oct, Storm Fengshen triggered extreme rainfall in the central region, notably recording the highest single-day rainfall ever in Vietnam - 1,739 mm at Bach Ma Mountain Peak. Fengshen resulted in 32 deaths and flooded over 130,000 houses, while also causing extensive landslides

The Vietnam Fine Arts Museum, Hanoi, is launching "Museum Night" on the last Friday of each month, inviting the public to experience the museum in a peaceful, romantic atmosphere. The event aims to promote the iMuseum VFA audio guide app and features a themed "art treasure hunt" tour, classical music performances, and interactive activities such as handicraft workshops and live painting sessions, alongside special discounts on souvenirs

From 7-9 Nov, the Hanoi Tourism Ao Dai Festival 2025 will take place. The highlight will be an Ao Dai parade around Hoan Kiem Lake on 8 Nov, gathering hundreds of locals and tourists in traditional attire. The 3-day festival will feature design competitions, children's shows, and a mass dance

The North-South Railway stretch running through Hue was reopened on 31 Oct, after being closed for 3 days due to flooding

According to a government's report, the death toll from the severe floods in central Vietnam has increased to 13, with a further 11 people missing. Over 116,000 houses have been inundated, along with 5,000 hectares of crops, while damaged infrastructure has cut off traffic and power in multiple areas. Authorities are now bracing for continued heavy rainfall, with up to 500mm more rain expected in some regions until 1 Nov

HCMC approved a revised Con Dao master development plan to 2045, aiming to boost tourism and infrastructure through 76 projects and a total investment of $2.5 billion USD. The strategy is anchored by 2 major land reclamation projects at Suoi Ot-Co Ong and the town centre, which will be developed via Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models by 2030. The overall development plan is focused on creating key infrastructure, including cargo and passenger ports, marinas, and major transport routes, alongside cultural and tourism zones

HCMC currently struggles to classify and preserve 231 unrecognised heritage sites. While 14 new city-level sites were recently added, the 321 recognised relics are overshadowed by structures facing difficulties in classification. Challenges stem from 3 groups, including valuable urban buildings facing high commercial exploitation, religious buildings whose owners are reluctant due to legal and boundary disputes, and historical sites where original evidence and witnesses have been lost. The city is now focusing on developing support policies to help owners and investors with preservation efforts

Following the slow recession of the Hoai River, thousands of residents, volunteers, and rescue forces in Hoi An began a massive clean-up operation, clearing sludge and debris from streets and buildings. Over 1,000 ancient houses and relics in the area now require urgent inspection and redecorating before tourism and trading services can resume in the coming days, while boats remain the primary transport method in submerged suburban areas

According to Booking.com data, news of K-pop superstar G-Dragon’s Nov concert in the capital caused Hanoi hotel searches to increase by over 250%, with the surge concentrated around the concert dates of 6-9 Nov. The data also shows that the upcoming Y-CONCERT in Dec has also boosted accommodation searches in Hanoi by over 60% YoY

Da Lat City was recognised by Booking.com as one of Asia's top destinations for Halloween due to its cool, misty Oct atmosphere and local ghost stories. The city's unique charm is enhanced by places like the old French villa on Prenn Pass and the "Crazy House". The designation aligns with survey data showing 51% of Vietnamese travellers seek cultural experiences and 49% seeking a variety of activities. Other popular Asian Halloween destinations include Hong Kong, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur

Phu Quoc Island experienced its heaviest downpour in 25 years on 29 Oct night, with over 120 mm of rain falling in 4 hours. This extreme weather led to deep flooding across major roads, inundating homes and businesses. While the floodwaters largely receded by the next morning, experts warn that the island's recurrent flooding is a direct result of its rapid urbanisation and subsequent overloaded drainage capacity

According to data from Agoda, looking at honeymoons ahead of the upcoming Indian wedding season (Nov-Jan), Phu Quoc island recorded an eightfold increase in popularity, entering the top 10 for the first time, moving to sixth place for 2025

The widespread flooding in central Vietnam has killed 9 people and severely damaged over 100,000 homes. The region recorded the highest rainfall ever in Vietnam with over 1,700 millimetres in Hue within 24 hours, forcing the evacuation of over 21,000 residents and causing the suspension of key national rail services, affecting thousands of tourists. So far in 2025, Vietnam has been hit by at least 12 major storms, bringing heavy rains and floods that have left at least 241 dead and cost the economy over $2 billion USD

The Chinese tourist market is seeing a recovery in Quang Ninh province, driven by the launch of new connections, including regular charter flights between Shenzhen and Van Don, and the resumption of the Beihai-Ha Long cruise routes after a 10-year hiatus. According to the People’s Committee of Mong Cai 1 Ward, from Jan-Sep 2025, over 5.25 million people crossed the border there. At the Hoanh Mo - Dongzhong border gate, daily traffic is around 100 Chinese tourists, peaking at up to 1,600 in Aug and early Sep. According to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the number of Chinese tourists staying overnight in Quang Ninh has grown by an average of 126.5% annually over the past 5 years, with Mong Cai International Border Gate alone welcoming about 300,000 Chinese visitors each year. The province expects to host some 350,000-400,000 Chinese visitors by the end of 2025, primarily opting for three- or four-day tours with high-end services

Central Vietnam was hit by record rainfall, with the city of Hue logging up to 1.7 metres in 24 hours, surpassing its 1999 record and leading to widespread, waist-high flooding that submerged the UNESCO site. Over 8,600 people were evacuated across 4 central provinces due to severe flooding and landslide risks, including a 3km-long mudslide in Quang Ngai. This event underscores the escalating impact of extreme weather, which has already left 187 people dead or missing and caused over $610 million USD in economic losses across Vietnam from Jan-Sep 2025

The Da Nang administration declared a state of emergency for transport infrastructure after severe flooding and landslides affected over 65,000 households and necessitated the evacuation of 5,600 residents. Officials allocated $380,000 USD for immediate debris clearing and road repair, noting that nearly 1,900 metres of roads are destroyed and key highways are cut off. The military has been placed on full alert to assist with evacuations and provide essential supplies, while long-term directives call for reviewing land management practices

According to the Hanoi Department of Tourism: From Jan-Oct 2025, Hanoi is expected to welcome over 28.2 million tourists, including 6.2 million international visitors, and achieving 91% of the annual target During this period, estimated tourism revenue is nearly $4.22 billion USD, +20% YoY In Oct alone, the city hosted 2.27 million tourists, including 695,000 international visitors and 1.6 million domestic tourists (+18% YoY), with total revenue estimated at 9.93 trillion VND (+12% YoY) In Oct, the average hotel room occupancy rate reached 60%, +0.5pp YoY Hanoi aims to attract a total of 31 million visitors in 2025, including 7.5 million international tourists

On 24 Oct, the Phu Quoc urban rail line was approved by the An Giang Provincial People’s Council. This will be the island's first urban rail line, spanning 18 kilometres between the International Airport and the APEC Conference Center, and will be developed under a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) contract by Phu Quoc Sun Co., Ltd. The project costs around $360 million USD, with construction set to run from late 2025 to mid-2027. It includes 6 stations and underground sections, is strategically aimed at supporting a modern public transport network, serving the APEC Summit in 2027

Da Nang launched a new campaign encouraging hotels, restaurants, and public venues to become completely smoke-free. The campaign is a partnership between Vietnam’s Fund for Tobacco Harm Prevention and the Da Nang Department of Health. According to a 2022 study by the Vietnamese Health Economics Association, tobacco-related diseases and productivity losses are estimated to cost Vietnam around $4.3 billion USD annually

From 31 Oct - 4 Nov, the 2025 Vegetarian Food Festival will take place in HCMC, with the theme "Delicious in taste - Healthy in heart". The event is organised by the HCMC Culinary Association, featuring over 200 booths. Key activities include the Green Master Chef Vietnam 2025 competition, forums on green tourism, and community programmes like "Kitchen of Love - 1,000 Free Meals". The event is expected to see around 150,000 visitors

Following devastating typhoons Bualoi and Matmo, over 30 embassies and international organisations pledged nearly $10 million USD in aid to Vietnam, including $7.2 million USD in cash, with major donations from Australia, South Korea, and the EU. The Vietnamese government is working to distribute cash aid of up to $190 USD to about 34,500 households by Nov, while the UN is coordinating a two-phase recovery focusing initially on stabilising livelihoods. The appeal for help follows a year where 20 types of natural disasters left 238 people dead and caused an estimated $1.3 billion USD in economic losses

On 26 Oct, during the attendance of US President Donald Trump and Vietnamese Prime Minister at the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, a joint statement outlining a framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair and Balanced Trade was issued. Under the key terms, Vietnam will grant preferential market access for substantially all US industrial and agricultural exports, while the US will maintain a 20% reciprocal tariff on Vietnamese goods, with select products potentially receiving a 0% rate. Vietnam has also agreed to address various non-tariff barriers, including accepting US vehicle standards and streamlining medical and pharmaceutical approvals. The statement highlighted significant commercial deals, including Vietnam Airlines’ purchase of 50 Boeing aircraft (over $8 billion USD) and $2.9 billion USD in Vietnamese MoUs to purchase US agricultural commodities

On 26 Oct, the Vietnam Golden Autumn Fair 2025 was open to the public in Hanoi. The first day of the event saw record-breaking crowds as thousands of visitors poured into the Vietnam National Exhibition Centre. The fair features regional delicacies, art performances and exhibitions from 34 provinces and cities. According to the organisers, the fair is expected to welcome up to 500,000 visitors per day

The Andhra Pradesh Tourism Forum (APTF), representing India, and the Da Nang Tourism Association (DTA), representing Vietnam, signed a landmark MoU to boost inbound tourism in Andhra Pradesh. Under the agreement, the APTF will provide expertise and networks to the DTA to develop an effective programme focused on Buddhism tourism packages, specifically targeting the 280 million Buddhists across ASEAN countries

On 25 Oct, the National Assembly of Vietnam confirmed the appointments of 2 new Deputy Prime Ministers - former Minister of Home Affairs and former Communist Party chief - and 3 new Ministers (for foreign affairs, agriculture, and home affairs). These appointments increase the number of deputy prime ministers to 9. The confirmations occurred during the final session of the Assembly, which runs until 11 Dec, and precedes the five-yearly congress of Vietnam's Communist Party in Jan, which will determine the country's strategies for the next 5 years and is expected to select a new leadership team

On 24 Oct, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs held a meeting with Maldivian Minister of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi. Both sides affirmed their growing five-decade friendship and desire to deepen bilateral ties, agreeing to promote high-level exchanges and soon sign an MoU on ministerial cooperation. They consented to encourage agreements in key sectors like trade, tourism, aquaculture, agriculture, and maritime transport. The nations also pledged close cooperation on global issues, including responding to climate change and rising sea levels, and ensuring the safety and freedom of navigation based on the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

On 25 Oct, the cruise ship Discovery Princess arrived at Cam Ranh International Port, carrying 1,200 international visitors, primarily from Bermuda. During their one-day stay, visitors toured sites like Ponagar Tower, Long Son Pagoda, and Dam Market, and enjoyed countryside cycling before departing for HCMC. So far in 2025, Khanh Hoa has welcomed 19 international cruise ships with over 22,000 passengers. The province expects another 7 ships carrying 10,000 visitors by the end of the year. From Jan-Oct 2025, Khanh Hoa received over 14.8 million visitors, +16.1% YoY, fulfilling 94.3% of its annual target. This includes 4.6 million international visitors and 10.2 domestic million visitors, generating $2.37 billion USD in tourism revenue, +20.1% YoY. According to the Khanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in Oct 2025, the province welcomed an estimated 817,000 visitors (+21% YoY), including 461,000 international arrivals (+28%) and 356,000 domestic tourists (+13%), generating $163 million USD in tourism revenue, +52.9% YoY

According to Agoda: - There was a 60% increase in search interest for Vietnam from Eastern Europe following the mid-Aug visa exemption announcement - Based on accommodation search data between 15 Aug - 30 Sep for stays during Oct and Nov, searches were +77% YoY from Slovenia, +74% YoY from Poland, +72% YoY from Bulgaria, +69% YoY from Romania, and +61% YoY from Slovakia According to the data from the General Statistics Office of Vietnam: - From Jan-Sep 2025, European tourist arrivals to Vietnam were +35% YoY - In Q3 alone, Vietnam welcomed 568,370 European visitors, +38% QoQ, +60% YoY

During the official visit of Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam to Bulgaria from 22-24 Oct, Vietnam and Bulgaria issued a joint declaration establishing a Strategic Partnership. The partnership aims to elevate bilateral relations through the consolidation of existing mechanisms and the creation of new ones, with a view to bringing tangible benefits to both nations. The deepening cooperation will specifically focus on 6 key areas, including political and diplomatic cooperation, defence and security, economy and trade, and science, technology, and education

At the 2026 Business Forum, experts highlighted that Vietnam is aiming for an ambitious average GDP growth rate of 10% per year during the 2026–2030 high-growth phase, supported by factors like institutional reforms, increased public investment, which is projected to rise 32-33% in 2026, and effective use of FDI. The private sector is a central engine, with new resolutions providing tax incentives for startups and aiming to create 2 million efficient enterprises by 2030. According to the Digital Business Director at VPBankS, though the economy saw a strong export increase of 17% in 2025, a cautious outlook for 2026 anticipates a moderation in export and credit growth. The future also relies heavily on the digital economy and the regulation of crypto assets. Investor portfolios are expected to shift, with real estate remaining dominant, but stocks and bonds gaining increased allocation, while savings deposits declining due to low interest rates

From 18-24 Nov, the Red River Festival 2025, delayed from 2024 due to Typhoon Yagi damage, will be held in Lao Cai province. The opening is scheduled for 8pm on 19 Nov, and will feature a special art programme and a 15-minute low-altitude fireworks display. Around 500 delegates are expected, including high-ranking Vietnamese Party and State leaders, ministerial representatives, and international guests, such as ambassadors (from France, China, Denmark, India, Thailand, Laos) and a delegation from China's Yunnan Province. Core activities include exhibitions at Kim Tan Square showcasing the unique cultural identities of Lao Cai's 25 ethnic groups, a recreation of the old Coc Leu Market, and sporting events

United Overseas Bank (UOB) Vietnam formed a strategic partnership with Oxalis Adventure and the Phong Nha- Ke Bang National Park Management Board. The initiative targets UOB cardholders across 5 ASEAN countries, offering them special discounts on tours to the park. According to the park's Management Board, from Jan-Sep 2025, the park welcomed 836,900 visitors, including 688,000 domestic visitors (+2% YoY), and over 148,000 international visitors (+18% YoY)

Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam and Finland issued a joint statement to establish a Strategic Partnership during Mr Lam's visit from 20-22 Oct. The partnership aims to deepen bilateral and multilateral ties through increased high-level visits, the creation of an annual strategic consultation mechanism, and coordination on security challenges. Cooperation will focus on six key areas, including economic, trade, investment, science, technology, education, and energy. The Foreign Ministers of both countries will now develop an Action Plan to implement the partnership's objectives

Dong Nai province is launching a project to develop wild elephant-watching tours at the Dong Nai Nature and Cultural Conservation Area to promote both sustainable tourism and wildlife conservation. The initiative aims to generate revenue that will be reinvested into improving the elephants' habitat. The Vice Chairwoman of the Dong Nai Provincial People's Committee tasked a cross-departmental team with studying the project's feasibility, reviewing legal frameworks, evaluating successful models from elsewhere, and advising on how to attract investors

Since 2012, Hoi An Ancient Town has recorded 17.4 million ticketed visitors, including over 14 million international visitors, and over 3.3 million domestic tourists. Ticket sales have generated over $72.1 million USD. Despite this success, the UNESCO site faces ongoing challenges from urbanisation and the tourism boom, which threaten its authenticity. Experts emphasise that the city's recent administrative reorganisation necessitates a new, unified management model to prevent fragmentation and preserve its integrity and outstanding universal value

The Da Nang Tourism Promotion Centre partnered with Yango Ads, an AdTech platform, through an MOU aimed at increasing visitor arrivals in 2026 by targeting the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) travel market. The collaboration will leverage advanced advertising technology and data-driven digital campaigns to efficiently reach and convert travellers from Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The Director of the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Centre stated that the cooperation aims to use data and modern advertising technology to enhance the city's visibility and bring it closer to tourists in the CIS region

From 18-23 Nov, the "Great Unity of Ethnic Groups – Vietnamese Cultural Heritage Week" is scheduled to take place in Hanoi, aiming to preserve and promote the tradition of national unity and to honour the cultural identities of Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. Activities will include exhibitions, re-enactments of unique ethnic festivals, folk music and dance performances, and sports competitions

Hanoi is pioneering a new tourism sector with the launch of the Hanoi's Five Gates train, a heritage-themed railway product running the Hanoi - Tu Son route, featuring cultural elements like Quan họ singing. This initiative is part of a broader strategy by Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) to integrate rail and metro lines with cultural exploration tours. VNR is also investing in high-quality trains nationwide, such as the Hue - Da Nang Heritage train and the premium "The Vietage" carriage, while upgrading standard carriages with modern amenities. Future plans include transforming key railway stations, such as Gia Lam and Long Bien, into exhibition and cultural event spaces, with the Gia Lam factory set to become a railway museum

HCMC's Department of Tourism has asked the municipal People’s Committee and other agencies to coordinate and support travel companies in handling international cruise passengers at the Cai Mep-Thi Vai port complex. The port complex has seen a substantial rise in cruise calls, with 48 calls with around 180,000 passengers scheduled in 2025. In 2026, about 118 cruises carrying more than 260,000 passengers are anticipated. In response to feedback about procedural obstacles, the Department of Tourism proposed a pilot phase for international cruise reception at the port, running through Dec 2026, to finalise legal requirements for expanding port functions. Several key ports are set to suspend cruise handling in Oct due to pending regulatory approval needed for international passenger reception. Both Royal Caribbean Group and Saigontourist Travel have expressed serious concern over this abrupt halt, warning it could cause major disruption and losses for scheduled long-haul luxury liners

On 16 Oct, the second Da Nang International Tourism Festival 2025 (DITF 2025) took place at the Ariyana Convention Centre in Da Nang. The event saw over 6,000 business connections made among 410 sellers and buyers. It involved nearly 2,000 delegates from travel agencies and partners globally. From Jan-Sep 2025, Da Nang welcomed 5.8 million international travellers

On 17 Oct, 2 Vietnamese villages were honoured as among the "Best Tourism Villages in 2025" by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) in Huzhou, including Lo Lo Chai in Tuyen Quang and Quynh Son in Lang Son province. Lo Lo Chai was recognised for its sustainable development efforts, which included enhancing environmental infrastructure and preserving cultural heritage through community-based tourism. These initiatives have strengthened local livelihoods via homestay models and handicrafts, with the province now planning to replicate this model and link Lo Lo Chai with the Dong Van Karst Plateau UNESCO Global Geopark to become a key cultural and tourism destination

Vietnam's passport ranks 92nd globally on the Henley Passport Index in the Oct 2025 update, now tied with countries like Bhutan and Burundi. This represents a drop of 4 places from its previous position, and a continued decline after falling to 88th in Sep, and reversing a previous high of 84th in Jul 2025. This decline is largely due to changes in international visa policies, specifically the removal of Taiwan from the electronic travel authorisation (ETA) list for Vietnamese travellers. The passport now grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to only 50 destinations

Vietnam's Communist Party is aiming for faster annual economic growth of at least 10% for the 2026-2030 period, a sharp increase from the previous target of 6.5-7.0%. The draft document also targets a lift in GDP per capita to $8,500 USD by 2030. The party said that Vietnam is at risk from issues like technological lags, population ageing, and corruption. To boost growth, a new model will see the private economy as the "driving force," and the government plans to increase public spending, resulting in a higher budget deficit of about 5% of GDP

The fifth regional conference of the Organisation of World Heritage Cities - Asia and the Pacific (OWHC-AP) opened in Hue City, hosting over 100 international delegates, mayors, and experts from seven countries. Operating under the theme "Livability for Sustainable Development of World Heritage Cities", the event is focused on exchanging policies and urban management solutions to enhance quality of life while preserving heritage value. A special session was held to introduce the New Urban Project, chaired by the OWHC General Secretariat, which promotes smart, sustainable, and community-connected urban models

Hue city is spearheading the digital transformation of its heritage. The city is employing advanced technologies like 3D digitisation and blockchain to assign unique digital IDs to artefacts, ensuring their authenticity and security. The Hue Monuments Conservation Centre is driving this effort, using VR/AR and metaverse technology in its online exhibitions to make heritage more accessible and vivid for the public. This initiative is part of Hue's broader strategy to become a "smart destination" by integrating technology like QR codes and the "Hue-S" app across tourism

From 14-19 Oct, the HCMC Department of Tourism is running the Vietnam - HCMC Tourism Promotion Program in Singapore 2025, coinciding with ITB Asia 2025. Key activities include running a joint tourism booth from 15-17 Oct at ITB Asia. The program also involves business-to-business (B2B) meetings on 17 Oct with Singaporean partners to foster new tour products, expand the Singaporean tourist market, and invite high-quality buyers to the ITE HCMC 2026 fair. The promotional focus is on distinctive products such as MICE tourism, high-end coastal and island resort tourism, cultural and historical tourism, and culinary tourism. The initiative wraps up by coordinating with the “Vietnam Pho Festival” 2025 in Singapore on 18-19 Oct

The key trend in Vietnam's corporate teambuilding is a shift from traditional formats towards community-driven, immersive programmes with a tangible social impact. Industry leaders note a higher demand for events that combine cultural discovery with social responsibility. Viettourist DMC reports that their partner Dalat farmstay is now popular for hands-on corporate programmes that directly involve local communities, providing a "win-win" scenario by boosting farmers' salaries. This movement is also driving business for the creative sector, as seen with The Decor Hub, which runs popular workshops (ceramics, weaving, and embroidery) that offer cultural immersion and fun while supporting local artisan livelihoods

On 14 Oct, nearly 1,000 Chinese tourists entered Vietnam via the Mong Cai international border gate in Quang Ninh province, as part of a MICE group. Following a conference in China, the "high-rolling" group began a 5-day, 4-night stay at upscale hotels in Quang Ninh. Local authorities gave the group a formal welcome and are facilitating their entry. The Chairman of the Mong Cai 1 ward People’s Committee said that local officials aim to improve service quality, strengthen oversight, and collaborate with businesses to establish the ward as Quang Ninh’s eastern tourism hotspot

The Prime Minister approved a proposal granting public employees a 9-day Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday in 2026, running from 14-22 Feb 2026. This extended break is composed of 5 statutory days and 4 weekend days. Additionally, the Ministry of Home Affairs recommended a 5-day National Day holiday from 29 Aug-2 Sep 2026, achieved through a workday exchange. Ministries are also tasked with creating plans to encourage enterprises to maintain production and market stability throughout the holiday periods

The tourism authorities of Khanh Hoa and Dak Lak signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation in developing tourism for the 2026–2030 period. The partnership aims to jointly develop inter-provincial tourism routes to form regional tourism chains. The provinces are around 150km apart and their connection is expected to be boosted by the under-construction Khanh Hoa - Buon Ma Thuot Expressway

Torrential rain from Typhoon Matmo caused extensive flooding across northern Vietnam, resulting in 18 people dead or missing and estimated preliminary losses exceeding $207 million USD. According to the Disaster and Dyke Management Authority under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the damage was most severe in Thai Nguyen Province, where over 200,000 houses were submerged, with damage worth at around 2.4 trillion VND, followed by Cao Bang with 2 trillion VND and Lang Son with 1.05 trillion VND. The disaster also destroyed vast areas of crops, killed thousands of livestock, and caused the Bac Khe 1 hydropower dam to break in Lang Son, although 803 households were safely evacuated beforehand. Infrastructure suffered widespread disruption, with highways blocked, the Hanoi-Dong Dang railway suspended, and nearly 550,000 customers initially losing power across the affected provinces