Vietnam

Hanoi launched a pilot for HanoiAir, an experimental early air quality forecasting system developed by the municipal Department of Agriculture and Environment alongside national meteorological and academic partners. The system is designed to shift the city from "reactive" responses to "scenario-based" management, allowing authorities to act before pollution peaks. In early Jan 2026, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of Hanoi reached "unhealthy" peaks of 139, with some individual monitoring stations recording "very unhealthy" levels above 200. Hanoi plans to establish low-emission zones (LEZs) starting 1 Jul 2026 within Ring Road 1, restricting older, highly polluting vehicles to promote green urban growth

Cao Bang province's tourism has increased fourfold, rising from 650,000 visitors in 2016 to an expected 2.45 million by 2025. Between 2021 and 2025, the province anticipates 7.8 million visitors, representing an annual growth rate of over 53%. Total tourism revenue is projected to reach around 5.5 trillion VND. The 3,683 sq km Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark, which includes 36 communes, has modernised local livelihoods, particularly for ethnic minority groups, by integrating traditional crafts and stone-village homestays into 4 established tourist routes. The province is developing a fifth route to link with the Dong Van Karst Plateau

Vietnam’s first-ever pho museum opened in HCMC. The 800-square-metre private museum features interactive exhibits across 3 floors, guiding visitors through the dish’s history, regional variations, and traditional craftsmanship. A 60 to 70-minute tour costs 750,000 VND for adults which includes a bowl of pho and a local dessert. The museum expects to welcome 1,500-2,000 visitors per day, with over half being foreigners and tour groups

On 14 Jan, the Ninh Binh Provincial People’s Committee held an international conference to define the boundaries of the nominated area for the Tam Chuc - Van Long complex Wetland Nature Reserve, in line with UNESCO World Heritage criteria. The site holds scientific value as a habitat for the Delacour’s langur, one of the world’s 25 most endangered primates. Plans include the creation of a "green corridor" to link Tam Chuc and Van Long, forming a continuous ecological and cultural landscape

The upcoming 9-day Lunar New Year holiday triggered a surge in the tourism market. According to statistics from the Viet Travel branch system, overseas bookings in Nov and Dec 2025 were +30% YoY. Travellers are prioritising high-quality experiences over low costs, favouring luxury tours with premium amenities and convenient schedules. Japan and South Korea remain the top destinations. According to Nam Danh Travel, demand for China has grown by 25-30%, with popular spots including Harbin for winter scenery and traditional routes like Beijing-Shanghai. The extended break also boosted demand for long-haul travel to Europe and Australia, alongside niche destinations like Egypt and Bhutan

Kho Muong village in Pu Luong Nature Reserve has transitioned from subsistence farming to a "modern rural area" through a community-based tourism model. Since 2016, all 64 households have adapted their traditional stilt houses to host guests, with successful homestays now earning up to 300 million VND annually. Supported by provincial investment in infrastructure and a focus on preserving Thai ethnic culture, the village aims to welcome 9,000 annual visitors and generate 14 billion VND in revenue by 2030. Local leaders said that the village does not pursue mass tourism to ensure the landscape is preserved

On 15 Jan, Vietnam officially broke ground on the Cat Lai and Long Hung bridges, a landmark 32 trillion VND investment designed to revolutionise travel between HCMC and Dong Nai province. The Cat Lai Bridge, an 11.6km structure costing 20.6 trillion VND, will permanently replace the overloaded ferry service by 2029, while the 12km Long Hung Bridge will link Ring Road 3 to National Highway 51 by 2028. Once completed, these eight-lane bridges are expected to slash travel times between the two provinces to 10 minutes, facilitating access to the new Long Thanh International Airport and major industrial zones

Vietjet has maintained the maximum seven-star safety rating from AirlineRatings.com every year since 2018. The carrier is ranked among the world’s safest low-cost airlines for 2026, alongside major brands like Ryanair, EasyJet, and Southwest, boasting a technical reliability rate of 99.72%. The airline has maintained a clean safety record throughout its 20 years of operation

HCMC aims to increase its total metro length from the current 19.7km Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien line to 187km by 2030. This initial phase involves adding 5 new routes, including the $1.8 billion USD line No. 2, which is scheduled to break ground in Jan 2026 and begin service in 2030. Under a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) model, the city plans to further scale the network to 462km by 2035 and ultimately 700km by 2045, at which point it is expected to handle up to 60% of transport demand. To accelerate these projects and avoid previous delays, authorities are leveraging "special mechanisms" and prioritising public funding to streamline construction and bolster inter-regional connectivity

According to the latest China Trading Desk survey, South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand have emerged as the top three destinations for Chinese travellers in 2026. Chinese tourists are expected to make between 165-175 million outbound trips in 2026, representing an increase of 10-20 million journeys compared to the 155 million trips estimated for 2025. By 2031, China is projected to overtake the U.S. as the world's largest travel and tourism market, with a sector value of $3.8 trillion USD

On 12 Jan, the Sabah Tourism Board hosted a strategic trade mission in HCMC, connecting 20 Sabah delegates with 65 Vietnamese buyers. The event highlighted the convenience of direct, two-hour AirAsia flights between HCMC and Kota Kinabalu. As part of the roadmap for Visit Sabah Year 2027, the "Explore Sabah" campaign positions the region as a premier hub for adventure and wildlife, featuring Malaysia’s 5 highest peaks, world-class diving in Semporna, and 30 distinct ethnic cultures

Following the New Year, workers in Vietnam are entitled to a total of 21 days off across the remaining public holidays in 2026. The longest break is the 9-day Lunar New Year holiday, running from 14-22 Feb. Other significant periods include a 3-day break for the Hung Kings’ Commemoration (25-27 Apr), a 4-day combined holiday for Reunification Day and International Workers’ Day (30 Apr-3 May), and a 5-day National Day break (29 Aug-2 Sep). While the schedule is fixed for civil servants, including a compensatory workday on 22 Aug, private sector employers have some flexibility in arranging dates, provided they inform staff at least 30 days in advance and adhere to the 11 statutory paid days mandated by the Labour Code

HCMC and Dong Nai Province are racing to complete vital transport links ahead of the expected mid-2026 opening of Long Thanh International Airport. Key projects include the 2.5 trillion VND Ring Road 3 section, which opened to technical traffic in Dec and is slated for full completion by Jun, and the widening of Provincial Road 25B. While parts of the 8-lane Provincial Road 25C are now operational, the project has faced delays due to land clearance issues, reaching only 0.5% completion by late 2025. Local authorities have urged a fast-track approach to finish these connections by Jun 2026 to alleviate heavy congestion on existing motorways and ensure the airport can effectively serve its projected 25 million annual passengers

According to an Agoda's report based on searches made between Sep- Nov 2025 for stays during Dec 2025 and Jan 2026: - Family travel interest in Vietnam was +30% YoY - South Korea is the leading source of family travellers, followed by India, Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia - Interest from Indian families surged by 186%, while Malaysian interest grew by 74% - Phu Quoc Island emerged as the top choice with a 47% increase in searches, followed closely by Da Nang (42% growth) and Nha Tran

According to the Founder and CEO of Oxalis Adventure, the only company licensed to operate the Son Doong Cave Expedition Tour in Vietnam, all 1,000 slots for both the 2026 and 2027 seasons are already fully booked. Since officially opening to visitors on 1 Aug 2013, the cave has welcomed 8,552 people. Vietnamese tourists make up the largest group with 3,293 visitors, followed by 2,271 from the U.S. Visitors have spent about $25.5 million USD on the experience collectively

In 2025, Da Nang welcomed over 17.3 million overnight visitors, +15% YoY, with international arrivals exceeding 7.6 million (+2% YoY), and domestic visitors reaching nearly 9.7 million (+8% YoY). Revenue from tourism reached around $2.28 billion USD, +21% YoY. The city hosted over 617,000 visitors from the Middle East, CIS countries, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The city is prioritising high-spending visitors from the Middle East and Southeast Asia by improving Muslim friendly services, providing prayer rooms at key attractions, and training staff to meet international cultural standards

Ha Long Bay will host a spectacular Flower and Light Technology Boulevard from 14-22 Feb 2026 to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The festival runs along the coastal road from Lan Be Park to the provincial Exhibition Centre, featuring illuminated floral floats and mascot models alongside cultural exhibits showcasing the traditions of local ethnic groups. This high-tech visual display is part of a broader festive programme that includes the Spring OCOP Fair (6-11 Feb) and various street performances

According to Agoda's report based on searches made between Sep- Nov 2025 for stays during Dec 2025 and Jan 2026, Vietnamese searches for Beijing increased by 59% and Shanghai by 58%

The Hyatt Regency Nha Trang has opened as the first Hyatt-branded hotel in Nha Trang, located 40 minutes from Cam Ranh International Airport. The property features 434 rooms and suites, with extensive amenities including the Flo Spa, a 24-hour fitness centre, and dedicated family facilities like Camp Hyatt

China Trading Desk’s survey showed that South Korea, Vietnam, and Thailand are the top three most popular destinations for Chinese tourists in 2026. Mainland Chinese travellers are projected to take around 165-175 million cross-border trips in 2026, up from 155 million in 2025

In 2025, Phu Quoc recorded 8.1 million visitors, including 1.8 million foreign arrivals. The island aims to welcome 8.5 million tourists in 2026, +5% YoY, including 2 million foreign arrivals, +11% YoY

The 2026 Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) is set to be the city's largest edition yet. The competition will run for 6 weeks, from 30 May to 11 Jul 2026, with 10 teams from Italy, mainland China, Germany, Japan, Macau, Australia, Portugal and France. Da Nang aims to attract 19.1 million visitors in 2026, with projected revenue of $2.7 billion USD

The Hanoi People's Committee proposed halting passenger train services on the central line between Hanoi and Gia Lam stations to address ongoing safety concerns at the famous "Railway Cafe Street" and facilitate urban renewal. The city requested management of this rail infrastructure by Q2 2026 to facilitate urban renewal and heritage conservation projects. According to Vietnam Railways, this plan would require thousands of daily commuters and tourists to navigate a 10km road transfer, potentially adding 40 minutes to journeys and increasing travel costs. While the city intends to repurpose the area’s historic railway arches into cultural spaces, transport experts and railway authorities warn the move could compromise regional connectivity, strain the limited facilities at Gia Lam Station, and diminish the city's historical identity

South Korea extended its group visa fee waiver for travellers from 6 Asian countries, including Vietnam, India, China, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Cambodia until 30 Jun 2026. The standard processing fee of around $12.50 USD is waived for each applicant. The benefit is exclusive to organised tour groups (typically 5 or more people) booked through accredited travel agencies. The policy remains focused on accredited agencies, ensuring that group travel remains a primary driver for international arrivals through the first half of the year

HCMC approved a 104 trillion VND strategic proposal by Vingroup to construct a 14-kilometre, six-lane sea-crossing road connecting Can Gio with Vung Tau. The project utilises submerged tunnel technology to avoid obstructing shipping lanes, featuring 8 km of bridges, a 3.1-km undersea tunnel, and 2 artificial islands acting as transition points. Developed under a build-transfer (BT) contract, Vingroup will fund 100% of the costs in exchange for land allocations. Construction is scheduled to begin in Jun 2026 and conclude in the Q2 of 2029

Khiri Travel has received the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) certification across all destinations where it operates – Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Sri Lanka

Sa Pa was named the fastest-growing destination in Asia for 2025 by Agoda. The town rose 15 places in the rankings of Asia’s top 100 destinations compared to 2024. The results are based on a comparison of international accommodation bookings between Jan-Nov 2025 and the same period in 2024. Following Sa Pa, the other top growth destinations in Asia were Okayama (Japan), Bandung (Indonesia), Matsuyama (Japan), and Takamatsu (Japan)

The Vietnamese hotel brand Wink has officially joined the Unscripted by Hyatt collection, marking the brand's first expansion outside the US. This partnership adds 6 operational Vietnamese properties to the Hyatt portfolio, with a seventh in Hanoi expected by late 2026. This move more than doubles Hyatt’s footprint in Vietnam to 10 hotels and adds over 2,000 rooms. Under this model, the brand retains its identity and focus on sustainability and tech-enabled service while gaining access to Hyatt’s global distribution and loyalty programme

During the 4-day New Year holiday: HCMC led the nation with 1.24 million visitors and $104 million USD in revenue, average hotel occupancy reached 75% Da Nang ranked second with $97.8 million USD in revenue. International visitors made up over half of arrivals (345,000), and luxury beachfront hotels hit 80-90% occupancy Hanoi welcomed 630,000 visitors, generating $84 million USD with 74% occupancy Quang Ninh attracted 657,000 visitors (218,000 overnight), earning $65 million USD Lam Dong recorded 650,000 arrivals and $48 million USD in revenue Ninh Binh recorded 723,000 arrivals, including 178,000 international visitors, earning $31.8 million USD An Giang and Nghe An both welcomed roughly 350,000 visitors, with revenues of $34.4 million USD and $35.4 million USD respectively Quang Tri welcomed 120,000 visitors, primarily from the U.S., Australia, Europe, and Northeast Asia, generating $5.5 million USD Ca Mau welcomed 151,000 visitors, while Hue saw 85,000 arrivals

Under a new government decree issued on 30 Dec 2025, from 15 Feb 2026, travel companies in Vietnam will face fines of up to 40 million VND if their clients illegally overstay in the country or remain abroad unlawfully. This regulation shifts responsibility onto tour operators to prevent tourists from absconding, with penalties also applying to the facilitation of illegal border crossings. The decree expands the enforcement powers of various agencies, including the Coast Guard, Border Guard, and local People’s Committees, allowing them to issue warnings, impose fines, and even revoke business licences

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, Vietnam welcomed around 3.5 million tourists during the 2026 New Year break (1-4 Jan 2026), including over 75,700 international tourists (+83% YoY)

According to a report from the National Statistics Office, Vietnam's GDP grew by an estimated 8.02% in 2025, the second-highest rate in the 2011-2025 period. The economy expanded by 8.46% in Q4 2025, the highest Q4 growth rate recorded in 15 years. Service was the largest contributor (51.08% of growth), expanding by 8.62% due to record international tourism and trade. Accommodation and food services specifically grew by 10.02%. Both exports and imports saw massive surges, rising by 19.34% and 19.40% respectively. Labour productivity was estimated at $9,809 USD per worker, a YoY increase of $626 USD. The proportion of certified trained workers rose to 29.2%

During the 2026 New Year holiday, passenger traffic at the Huu Nghi International Border Gate with China reached 6,200-6,400 people per day, a 20–30% increase over usual levels. In addition to organised tours and family groups, many young people are opting for brief "two-day, one-night" getaways. These popular trips use simplified border travel permits to combine sightseeing and cultural discovery with shopping across the Vietnam-China border

A new night tour titled "Vietnamese Resonance" was launched on 1 Jan at the Temple of Literature, Hanoi. The initiative combines traditional music with the site’s historic architecture, guiding visitors through lantern-lit landmarks like the Khue Van Cac Pavilion. Beyond musical performances, the tour features live demonstrations of traditional crafts, including conical hat making and sedge weaving, to showcase the site as a living space for artistic transmission

On 2 Jan, Tuyen Quang province launched a new horseback trekking experience in Thèn Pa Village to promote sustainable, community-based tourism. The tour allows visitors to explore the northernmost region's rugged mountain landscapes and terraced fields while immersing themselves in the traditional lifestyles of local ethnic communities

Mui Ne has been named the number one "must-visit" destination for 2026 by Booking.com. The ranking was determined by a survey of over 30,000 travellers across 33 countries. It was also the third most-searched Vietnamese destination on Google in 2025

Vinh Long province is calling for $596 million USD to fund 15 landmark cultural and tourism projects. The largest individual project is the Mang Thit Brick and Pottery Village, seeking $138 million USD. Priority is being given to the Khmer Culture and Tourism Village to highlight ethnic traditions and the Mekong Delta Agricultural Museum. Vinh Long aims for tourism to contribute 6-7% of its GRDP by 2030, up from the current 4%. In 2025, the province welcomed over 9.3 million visitors in 2025 (+113% YoY), including 1.3 million international arrivals. The target for 2026 is 9.84 million tourists with projected revenue of over 9.3 trillion VND

From 15-17 Jan, Khanh Hoa Province will host its first international kitesurfing tournament at My Hoa Beach. The event is expected to attract 200 global athletes competing in racing and "big air" categories. The deputy director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said that it serves as a key initiative to establish the region as an international kitesurfing hub. In 2025, Khanh Hoa welcomed 16.4 million visitors, +14.4% YoY, including 5.5 million international visitors, with total revenue at $2.53 million USD, +16.8% YoY. The province aims to welcome 18 million visitors in 2026, including 6 million international tourists, with tourism revenue expected to reach $2.92 million USD

The Quang Ngai Culture and Tourism Week, held in Mang Den from 1-4 Jan 2026, attracted roughly 20,000 visitors. The festival showcased the blooming of cherry blossoms alongside UNESCO-recognised gong performances and traditional xoang dances. Highlights included an agricultural fair featuring local medicinal herbs and specialty coffee, as well as modern attractions like hot air balloon displays. This initiative launched the province's new "Forests and Seas" tourism strategy, aiming to transform Mang Den into a sustainable, high-class ecotourism destination

In 2025: HCMC welcomed 8.5 million international (+39% YoY) and 45 million domestic visitors (+18.4% YoY), earning 260 trillion VND Hanoi welcomed 33.7 million visitors (+21% YoY), including 7.8 million international tourists, with tourism revenue reaching 134.5 trillion VND An Giang welcomed over 24 million visitors, +27% YoY, with international arrivals reaching 1.9 million (+90%), and tourism revenue reaching 68 trillion VND (+92% YoY) Quang Ninh welcomed 21 million visitors (4.5 million international), with revenue at over 57 trillion VND Lam Dong welcomed 20.7 million visitors (1.28 million international), with revenue reaching around 56.8 trillion VND Ninh Binh welcomed 19.4 million visitors (2.2 million international), with revenue reaching nearly 21.3 trillion VND, +37% Da Nang welcomed 17.3 million visitors (7.6 million international), with revenue at 60 trillion VND - surpassing pre-pandemic levels Khanh Hoa welcomed 16.4 million visitors (5.5 million international), with revenue reaching 66.7 trillion VND, +16.8% Thanh Hoa welcomed 16.2 million visitors, with revenue at 45.6 trillion VND Gia Lai welcomed 12.4 million visitors, with revenue reaching 29 trillion VND Nghe An welcomed 9.9 million visitors, with revenue at 30 trillion VND Quang Tri welcomed 9.6 million visitors, with revenue reaching 11 trillion VND, +32% In 2026, HCMC targets 61 million visitors, including 11 million international arrivals, generating 330 trillion VND in revenue. Hanoi targets 35.8 million visitors, including 8.6 million international arrivals, with projected revenue of over 160 trillion VND

According to a report from the Vietnam News Agency, on 31 Dec 2025, the Celebrity Solstice docked in Ha Long with 3,016 passengers, mostly from the UK, US, Australia, Canada and Spain. In 2025, Quang Ninh province welcomed over 60 cruise ships and 90,000 international visitors. In 2026, the province anticipates over 70 international cruise ships and 100,000 passengers, aiming for 22 million total tourists, including 5.2 million foreigners, with projected tourism revenue of 65 trillion VND

Da Nang and Hoi An officially launched their 2026 tourism season by welcoming their first international visitors on New Year's Day, including a 29-person tour group from the Philippines. The city has set a target of 19.1 million tourists for 2026. According to the city’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Department, 7 other international flights from Incheon, Busan, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore with 1,200 passengers scheduled landing at the city’s airport on the first day of New Year

On 1 Jan, HCMC officially launched its tourism year by welcoming the first international arrivals from Germany and Qatar at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.The event featured traditional tea ceremonies, calligraphy demonstrations, and floral displays of yellow apricot blossoms. Visitors were presented with local souvenirs, such as conical hats and traditional sweets

On 1 Jan, Sa Pa Ward held a ceremony to welcome the first group of 60 domestic and international visitors to the National Tourist Area. In 2025, Sapa welcomed over 4.3 million visitors. For the four-day New Year holiday alone, Sa Pa expects 300,000 visitors and roughly 1.8 trillion VND in revenue. The official goal for 2026 is to exceed 5 million visitors, generating total annual revenue of 31 trillion VND

On 1 Jan, the Hue City People’s Committee officially announced the Hue Festival 2026 during a ceremony at Ngo Mon Square. Featuring nearly 80 events organised into a four-season model, the festival aims to highlight Hue as a "smart heritage city" through royal rituals, international art performances during the peak Summer Week, and autumn lantern festivals

Phu Quoc will be the third Vietnamese host of the APEC summit, following Hanoi and Da Nang. The centre of activity is a 16-hectare complex costing 21.86 trillion VND, featuring a 11,050-square-metre ballroom, which is set to become the world’s largest. Facilities include a 2,000-seat dinner show venue and an international media center for 4,000 journalists. Phu Quoc International Airport is being expanded to handle 20 million passengers annually by 2027. Key upgrades include a second runway, a new Terminal T2, and a VVIP terminal. As of late 2025, the VVIP terminal is structurally complete, and T2 is 85% structurally complete. Provincial Road DT.975 is being widened to 10 lanes and will include a corridor for a future high-capacity urban rail system. To meet its deadlines, the project has mobilized nearly 10,000 engineers, specialists, and laborers

At a recent conference, HCMC tourism businesses highlighted critical regulatory "bottlenecks" regarding tax invoicing and complex MICE licensing that are hindering growth. Industry leaders proposed that the Government subsidise electricity for the sector, aligning it with manufacturing rates, and urged for immediate investment in river terminals to support the city's expanding waterway tourism. A business leader said that there is a shortage of docks and terminals amid the number of visitors continuing to rise. Following recent administrative mergers, businesses are also calling for clearer traffic policies for tourist vehicles and a definitive list of priority overseas markets to better coordinate their 2026 international outreach strategies

In 2025, Vietnam welcomed 21.5 million foreign visitors, surpassing the pre-pandemic peak of 2019 by over 10%. The Prime Minister has set a target of 25 million international visitors for 2026, focusing on 3 strategic pillars, including institutions, infrastructure, and human resources. Despite the growth, officials noted a need for a professional national promotion agency and more effective marketing in major Chinese cities. Experts have called for stricter controls over service quality and environmental protection to balance rapid growth with long-term sustainability

The Vietnam National Competition Commission (VNCC) has intervened following a public backlash against Zalo’s new "accept-all" data policy, which threatened to delete the accounts of its 80 million monthly users if they did not consent to expanded data collection. Just as Vietnam’s new Law on Personal Data Protection took effect in Jan 2026, regulators ordered VNG Corporation to cease forcing consent as a condition for service and to halt sharing user data with third parties. While VNG requested a delay to their formal summons to compile technical documentation, the VNCC has demanded immediate revisions to ensure that users have a genuine, voluntary choice rather than an "all-or-nothing" ultimatum regarding their sensitive personal information

Bach Ma National Park in Central Vietnam has suspended tourism indefinitely following historic flooding in late October 2025, which triggered severe landslides across its 37,400-hectare grounds. Record rainfall of over 1,700mm caused extensive structural failures along the main road to the summit. These disruptions have isolated ranger stations and halted both visitor services and vehicle-based forest patrols. While park management has established a narrow temporary footpath for essential ranger access and proposed the use of pulley systems for supplies, the park will remain closed until long-term repairs are completed

The Hyatt Regency Nha Trang has officially opened, located 40 minutes from Cam Ranh International Airport by car. The hotel features 434 rooms, featuring an all-day dining venue offering a fusion of Vietnamese and Italian flavours, a lounge, a pool bar, a swimming pool and the Camp Hyatt kids' club for families

Bac Ninh Province is coordinating field surveys for a proposed $5.54 billion USD high-speed railway linking Hanoi and Quang Ninh, a project spearheaded by Vinspeed. The 120-kilometre electrified line is designed for speeds of up to 350 km/h, with construction slated to begin in late 2025 and commercial operations targeted for 2028. To support this timeline, Vinspeed recently increased its charter capital to 45 trillion VND

On 1 Jan, Dak Lak province will host its first tourism event of the year at Dai Lanh Cape, featuring a 9am flag-raising ceremony and traditional folk music performances. To encourage tourism in the newly enlarged province, authorities have waived entrance fees for the Bai Mon scenic area. The initiative highlights the cape’s status as one of the first places to greet the sunrise on the mainland

From Jan-Nov 2025, nearly 3.9 million Korean visitors visited Vietnam

Travel agencies report New Year sales are up 15-20% year-on-year, with Vietravel alone expecting to serve approximately 130,000 customers during this period (1-4 Jan). Search data from Agoda shows a 22% YoY increase in domestic travel interest for the Lunar New Year. The Country Director of Agoda Vietnam, stated that extended holidays provide "ideal conditions" for families to travel nationwide without "international travel procedures," highlighting Vung Tau as a top 5 destination. Furthermore, the market is shifting towards "personalised travel experiences," with increased demand for four- and five-star hotels and tailor-made packages for families and returning overseas Vietnamese

From Jan-Nov 2025, over 508,000 Vietnamese visitors had travelled to the RoK, +6.9% YoY. Total arrivals for 2025 are estimated at nearly 550,000, +9% YoY. In the MICE and incentive travel segment, the Korea Tourism Organisation (KTO) Vietnam office supported 345 corporate groups (41,166 visitors), leading all 32 KTO overseas offices in this segment with a 12.7% YoY. KTO has set an ambitious goal of welcoming 600,000 Vietnamese tourists to South Korea in 2026

The fifth Laos-Thailand Friendship Bridge was inaugurated on 26 Dec 2025, spanning 1,350 metres across the Mekong River. By linking Bueng Kan in Thailand to Bolikhamxay in Laos, the bridge reduces the travel distance to Vietnam's Cau Treo border gate from 350 km to just over 200 km, creating the most efficient route for goods moving between the 2 countries. This strategic project is expected to drive economic development, investment, and tourism across the Greater Mekong Sub-region, including Cambodia, Myanmar, and Southern China

According to the municipal Department of Tourism, Hanoi welcomed over 33.7 million visitors in 2025, +20.87% YoY. International tourist arrivals reached over 7.82 million, +22.76% YoY, while domestic visitors numbered over 25.88 million, +20.32% YoY. Total tourism revenue was estimated at around $5.11 billion USD, +21.5% YoY. For 2026, Hanoi aims to welcome 35.8 million total visitors (+6.2% YoY). The city expects international arrivals to exceed 8.6 million and domestic visitors to reach 27.2 million. The municipal Department of Tourism has set an ambitious revenue goal of over $6.08 billion USD

According to the Director of the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Bac Ninh aims to welcome 7.1 million tourists in 2026, including 420,000 international visitors and 6.68 million domestic tourists, generating $251 million USD in revenue (+14% YoY). The province plans to launch a comprehensive brand identity for its tourism sector, featuring a unified name, logo, and slogan. This initiative will involve a full redesign of tourism maps, websites, promotional publications, and the development of new provincial-level souvenirs

The Vietnamese government has approved a 4-day break for the New Year from 1-4 Jan 2026. To facilitate this, a working-day swap has been arranged, moving the shift from 2 Jan to 10 Jan. While mandatory for civil servants and public employees, the government has encouraged the private sector to adopt the same schedule to ensure consistency

On 25 Dec, Vingroup officially withdrew its bid for the $67-billion USD North-South high-speed railway, choosing instead to focus on other national projects, including the 9,000-hectare Olympic Sports City and 2 regional rail links. Following the announcement, Vingroup-related stocks (VIC, VHM, VRE) plummeted to their daily floor limits, contributing to a 2.24% drop in the Ho Chi Minh Index. Despite Vingroup's departure, the Vietnamese government remains committed to breaking ground by late 2026, with other major domestic investors like Thaco and Vietnam Railways continuing to pursue the project

HCMC proposed a 15-kilometre cable car system for Con Dao to link Co Ong Airport with the town centre. With passenger numbers expected to reach 2 million annually by 2030 and 3 million by 2040, authorities argue that expanding the current two-lane road is unfeasible as it would destroy 15 hectares of forest. In contrast, the cable car would require clearing only 3 hectares, reducing the environmental footprint on an island where 78% of the land is protected national park

According to the Ministry of Health, medical tourism revenue in Vietnam was projected to reach around $700-720 million USD in 2024, with an annual growth rate of 18%. The market is estimated to approach $4 billion USD by 2033. Statistics show that Vietnam receives roughly 300,000 international medical visitors annually (excluding overseas Vietnamese returning for care). HCMC is the leading centre, accounting for 40% of medical tourists. Hanoi, Da Nang, and Nha Trang are also emerging as key destinations. The most sought-after services include dentistry, cosmetic surgery, reproductive support, and non-emergency specialised treatments

On 19 Dec, the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau Expressway opened for technical traffic, cutting travel time between downtown HCMC and Vung Tau from 2 hours to just 70 minutes. The expressway spans nearly 54 km and features 4-6 lanes, representing a total investment of $676.5 million USD

On 21 Dec, Vietnam hosted a "Culture Day" in Beijing to mark the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties and conclude the Vietnam-China Year of Humanistic Exchange. The event featured a "Colours of Culture" art programme and a heritage exhibition showcasing Vietnam’s 70+ UNESCO-recognised titles. From Jan-Nov 2025, Vietnam welcomed 4.8 million Chinese arrivals, accounting for 25% of total international arrivals, remaining Vietnam’s largest source market

On 20 Dec 2025, Vietnam officially received the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage certificate for the Yen Tu-Vinh Nghiem-Con Son-Kiep Bac complex. As the country's ninth World Heritage site and its first "serial" nomination spanning 3 provinces, the site is celebrated as the spiritual cradle of Truc Lam Zen Buddhism. The ceremony coincided with the 717th anniversary of King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong’s attainment of Nirvana

From 1-4 Jan 2026, the Mang Den Culture and Tourism Week 2026 will be hosted. The 4-day programme featured aerial views of cherry blossoms via hot air balloons, traditional gong performances with fireworks, and guided eco-tours of the region's primaeval forests and waterfalls. Visitors will also enjoy local Arabica coffee demonstrations, culinary experiences from expert chefs, and sports events including the 2026 Pickleball Open and the “Run in the Clouds” trail race