Vietnam

At the Cambodia-Vietnam Business Forum at Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, the Prime Minister called on both nations, alongside Vietnamese Prime Minister to deepen tourism cooperation by improving cross-border connectivity, executing joint marketing, and creating combined travel packages aimed at both bilateral and third-country markets. To capitalise on these complementary markets, he urged government bodies and private-sector stakeholders, including airlines, hoteliers, and tour operators, to collaborate on integrated products connecting natural, cultural, heritage, urban, coastal, and medical tourism sites

A business networking conference co-hosted by the Lam Dong Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Centre and the Vietnam-Korea Business and Investment Association was held in Da Lat on 8 Oct to strengthen trade, investment, and tourism ties between Lam Dong and South Korean partners. For 2026-2030, Lam Dong is prioritising high-value, sustainable projects linked to global supply chains, specifically targeting South Korean expertise in agriculture, green energy, the circular economy, high-quality tourism, healthcare, education, training, and digital transformation. An MoU was signed to drive promotion, business partnerships, agricultural trade, and new air routes. South Korea remains the province's primary source of international tourists, drawn particularly to agricultural, wellness, and luxury resort experiences

The Ministry of Construction has approved adjusted plans for Phu Quoc International Airport for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, to support the APEC Economic Leaders' Week 2027. The project requires 1,040.43 hectares of land, allocated between civil aviation (558.69 ha), military (62.98 ha), and shared use (418.76 ha), and involves adding and revising internal service roads alongside a new ground service parking area east of the VIP terminal. Airside infrastructure enhancements during 2021-2030 include extending the parallel taxiway, constructing new parallel, connecting, and rapid-exit taxiways, and building 3 aprons to provide over 87 aircraft parking positions, a configuration that will remain fixed through 2050 before further expansion on reserved land. Supporting northern facilities feature a 7.2-hectare fuel supply, a 30.4-hectare maintenance hangar area, and a 12.6-hectare aviation training facility, while a 51-hectare hotel, commercial, and office complex will be developed to the south. Safety provisions encompass a Level 9 ICAO emergency firefighting station, a 1.7-hectare training area, and bomb and mine disposal zones at runway ends

Malaysia's inflation was 1.9% in Aug 2026, below Thailand (2.5%), Indonesia (3.2%), Vietnam (4.9%) and the Philippines (6.1%), according to the World Bank. It expects headline inflation of 2% in 2026, but warned that producer price inflation of almost 11% in Aug 2026 could become a risk later in the year

The Hanoi Beverage Festival 2026 takes place from 9-11 Oct at Astronomy Park in Duong Noi Ward under the theme “Hanoi - The essence of Vietnamese beverages”. A highlight executed by the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is the launch of the QR-code-enabled Hanoi Beverage Tourism Map, linking notable cafes, bars, and venues to support drink-themed cultural and sightseeing routes across the city

From Jan-Sep 2026, 9 museums managed by the HCMC Department of Culture and Sports recorded over 2.76 million visitors (+5% YoY), comprising 1,881,069 domestic and 879,205 international guests, whilst non-public museums welcomed more than 45,000 visitors

Cao Bang’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has launched 160 stimulus packages across 6 key sectors to drive visitor numbers toward a revised target of 3.1 million, including 220,000 international overnight guests. Running from 1 Oct-31 Dec under the banner Easy travel - Complete experiences, the initiative unites 110 local providers and delivers real-time service, weather, and traffic updates via caobangtourism.com.vn alongside QR-coded package details

Bac Ninh City is conducting a comprehensive review of its tourism sector to upgrade key products, attract major investors, and expand visitor stays and expenditure. The city is strengthening inter-provincial and international partnerships while expanding diverse offerings spanning heritage, MICE, rail, and night-time tourism. From Jan-Sep 2026, Bac Ninh welcomed 5.8 million visitors (+7% YoY)

At the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Q3 press briefing in Hanoi on 7 Oct, the Deputy Director of the ministry’s Department of Foreign Market Development and Multilateral Trade provided an update on trade negotiations between Vietnam and the US. Since Apr 2025, the 2 sides have held 7 official negotiation rounds alongside numerous ministerial- and technical-level sessions, essentially completing almost all negotiating contents. With only a few technical issues remaining for clarification, he expressed hope for a swift conclusion through close coordination with relevant US agencies. He emphasised that as the US is a paramount market for Vietnamese exports, concluding this agreement will establish a stable, balanced trade framework for sustainable development and foster greater bilateral cooperation

Russia has proposed wet-leasing Western-built passenger aircraft, crew, and maintenance from Vietnamese carriers to alleviate severe fleet deterioration, though Hanoi's consideration carries high risks of US secondary sanctions similar to those that prompted Ethiopia to reject an identical deal

Heavy rain on 7 Oct created severe air traffic congestion at Tan Son Nhat Airport, forcing controllers to place multiple aircraft into holding patterns and diverting roughly 7 flights. The severe weather disrupted flight operations, triggering widespread departure delays and knock-on scheduling issues as aircraft waited for visibility to clear before returning to HCMC. This disruption follows a recurring pattern of rain-related delays at the airport since late Sep, with the Southern Regional Hydro-Meteorological Centre predicting further heavy downpours of up to 150mm through 9 Oct

Turkish Airlines will add an 11th weekly flight on its Istanbul-Hanoi route using Airbus A350-900 aircraft between 8 Jan-27 Mar 2027

Vietnam has designated low-altitude airspace as a national resource and special sovereign space, targeting a low-altitude economy that contributes around 1.5% to national GDP by 2045. The country aims by 2030 to establish 3 national UAV flight testing zones across varied terrains, at least 1 research and testing centre, and a UAV localisation rate of over 30-40% (rising to over 85% by 2045). Integrating UAVs with AI, sensors, and digital platforms, priority applications span logistics, agriculture, disaster response, healthcare, and smart cities, with local authorities tailoring deployment to regional needs

From Jan-Aug 2026, cross-border QR payment transactions in Vietnam by tourists from Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia grew eightfold in volume and sixfold in value YoY, while Vietnamese travellers in those same markets generated a fivefold increase in volume and over fourfold increase in value. Vietnam’s network connects to 6 markets, including Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, China, South Korea, and Singapore, with roughly 154,000 of its 2.5 million cashless acceptance points supporting cross-border payments. As the system expands, banking authorities are shifting focus from basic connectivity to efficiency, user numbers, and service quality, while addressing cross-border challenges such as fraud, data protection, anti-money laundering, and differing legal frameworks

On 5 Oct, the Hanoi Transport Corporation (Transerco) replaced diesel vehicles on certain routes with new VinFast Green electric buses, featuring low floors, disability access, and air conditioning. This launch aligns with Transerco’s roadmap to achieve a green fleet ratio of over 51% by the end of 2026 and supports Hanoi’s broader mandate to replace all petrol and diesel buses with green-energy alternatives by 2030

Vietnam has overtaken Thailand in purchasing-power-parity (PPP) economic size to reach $2.025 trillion USD in 2026, securing second place in Southeast Asia behind Indonesia. IMF and Bangkok Bank projections show Vietnam widening the PPP gap past $500 billion USD by 2031 and overtaking Thailand in nominal terms by the end of the decade, pushing Thailand to fifth place in the region behind the Philippines. Nevertheless, Thailand maintains a higher GDP per capita, separating overall economic scale from individual prosperity

Effective 5 Dec 2026, VietJet Air plans to launch a 3-times-weekly service to the Maldives using A320 aircraft by extending its HCMC to Colombo route to Male

Over 7,600 workers and engineers are executing a major construction push on the Phu Quoc International Airport expansion ahead of a scheduled technical flight on 30 Dec 2026 and an operational launch in Apr 2027 for the November 2027 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. Construction spans Runway No. 2, the apron, infrastructure, catering facility, VIP terminal, and Terminal T2, where concrete structures are 95% complete, the "Fire Phoenix" steel roof is fully installed, 9,500 facade glass panels are being fitted, and an 8km baggage system capable of handling nearly 14,000 bags per hour is 60% complete. The project will raise the annual capacity of Phu Quoc to 20-24 million passengers by 2030, with future phases targeted at 50 million passengers annually

During an inspection of the Long Thanh International Airport project on 4 Oct, the Deputy Prime Minister was informed by Vietnam Airports Corporation (ACV) that while 4 bidding packages are complete and 8 are on schedule, 4 face delays primarily due to payment mechanisms and material supply pressures. Out of 18 trillion VND in outstanding payment documents, 8.9 trillion VND is tied to equipment with altered origins. To counter rising asphalt prices and stone and sand shortages, ACV has requested increased local quarry capacities. Additionally, with travel from HCMC currently averaging 2-3 hours, ACV urged greater publicity around the connecting route's planned Dec completion to aid flight preparations with international airlines, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) ahead of 4 upcoming test flights

Vietnam Airports Corporation (ACV) will open Long Thanh airport in 3 phases, beginning with Phase 1 (Dec 2026 - Mar 2027) operating the West wing and central area of the passenger terminal at 6-10% capacity for up to 366 weekly flights (322 domestic, 44 short-haul international), alongside domestic cargo from 24 Dec 2026 and non-US/European international cargo from Jan 2027. Phase 2 (Apr-Oct 2027) will scale passenger operations to 50% capacity, expand long-haul routes, complete infrastructure licensing, and undergo EU (RA3) and US (TSA) cargo certification assessments in Jul 2027, before Phase 3 achieves 100% full-network capacity from Oct 2027. Ahead of launch, ACV will execute a 3-stage trial operation program (Oct-Dec 2026) testing 3 scenarios across passenger, luggage, airfield, and security/ICT operations, while securing Civil Aviation Authority approvals and licensing for the fuel refill system, airport operations, and security programs throughout Oct and Nov 2026

According to the latest report available from the National Statistics Office (NSO), from Jan-Sep 2026 outbound Vietnamese travel dropped 21.2% to 4.3 million

HCMC recorded 3,810 lightning strikes on 30 Sep and 1 Oct 2026, including over 2,000 ground strikes, marking the highest daily totals in nearly 2 years. Hardest-hit locations included Phu Giao Commune (nearly 1,200 strikes) and Binh My Commune (464 strikes). Although no lightning casualties occurred in HCMC, the accompanying heavy downpours caused floodwaters over one metre deep in areas like Thao Dien and Go Vap, major rush-hour traffic gridlock near Tan Son Nhat International Airport, and flight delays and diversions

According to the latest report available from the National Statistics Office (NSO), Vietnam welcomed an estimated 17.7 million international visitors from Jan-Sep 2026 (+14.5% YoY), representing nearly 71% of its 25 million annual target. In Sep alone, foreign arrivals reached an estimated 1.77 million (-11.3% MoM, +16.1% YoY). Air travel remained the primary mode of transport, accounting for 83.2% of arrivals (14.7 million), while sea arrivals surged by 27.7% to 243,400. China and South Korea were the top source markets with 4 million and 3.1 million visitors respectively, alongside 55% arrival growth from Europe. This tourist influx supported broader economic expansion, contributing to an 8.69% rise in service sector growth, a 16.7% increase in accommodation and catering revenue, and an overall 9.01% GDP expansion

Driven by rising costs in energy, food, housing, education, and healthcare, Vietnam's Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 4.52% YoY from Jan-Sep 2026, reaching 5.08% in Sep 2026 after peaking at 5.6% in May 2026. Housing, electricity, water, fuel, and construction materials jumped 6.68% (adding 1.52 percentage points to CPI), while food and catering services increased 4.72% (adding 1.69 points) and transport rose 6.06%, driven by a 10.89% hike in fuel costs. Core inflation averaged 4.26% over the 9-month period, remaining below headline CPI due to the exclusion of volatile food, fuel, and healthcare prices. Additionally, domestic gold prices surged by an average of 42.67% YoY over the 9 months despite dropping 4.04% compared to Dec 2025, while the domestic US dollar index rose 1.01% on average over the same period

Under a government-approved holiday schedule, Vietnam's civil servants and public employees will receive a 7-day Lunar New Year (Tet) break from 4-10 Feb 2027, combining 5 statutory days with 2 weekend compensatory days, before returning to work on 11 Feb. Private employers may select from three 7-day arrangements between 3-11 Feb based on business needs, provided legal holiday minimums are met. Additionally, public sector workers will receive a 4-day National Day break from 2-5 Sep 2027

VietJet Air has scheduled temporary regional service reductions between 25 Oct-9 Dec 2026 across over 20 routes departing from major Vietnamese hubs. Flights from Hanoi to Denpasar, Kaohsiung, Kuala Lumpur, Osaka Kansai, Seoul Incheon, Singapore, and Taichung will see temporary frequency cuts, alongside reduced services from Da Nang to Seoul and Singapore, Hai Phong to Seoul, Cam Ranh to Busan, and Phu Quoc to Seoul and Singapore. Operations out of HCMC will also scale back across multiple destinations, including reduced frequencies to Ahmedabad, Bangkok Suvarnabhumi, Busan, Denpasar, Hong Kong, Kaohsiung, Phuket, Singapore, and Taichung

The HCMC Department of Tourism and the Department of Science and Technology have launched the 4th HCMC Innovative Startups for Tourism Competition to foster creative, tech-driven tourism solutions integrating local cultural identity. The contest targets 5 key areas, including digital transformation and AI, cultural/creative tourism, green/sustainable operations, night-time economy, and the commercialisation of academic research. The contest is open to individuals, teams, and businesses across 2 categories, including Aspiring Founders (for students) and Early-stage Startups. Prize packages range from $2,500-8,460 USD for first place in the startup category, with winners also receiving tech support, management tools, and venture capital investment opportunities to drive sustainable tourism growth

Under a resolution signed on 30 Sep, Vietnam has extended its package of fuel-tax relief measures, originally introduced in Mar 2026, until 31 Dec 2026. The package maintains preferential import duties at 0% for gasoline (down from 10%), diesel, fuel oil, kerosene, jet fuel (all down from 7%), and key petrochemical feedstocks, alongside zero-rate environmental protection and value-added taxes on petroleum products. The government stated the extension aims to stabilise the domestic market and economy, contain inflation, ensure energy security, support business activity, and enable companies to diversify import sources away from traditional suppliers amid Middle East war supply concerns

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, Vietnamese airports handled nearly 102 million passengers from Jan-Sep 2026 (+12% YoY), comprising over 39 million international (+14%) and over 62 million domestic (+11%) travellers, while airport cargo rose over 10% to 1.4 million tonnes. Over the same period, domestic airlines carried over 46 million passengers (+8%), including nearly 15 million international (+3%) and over 31 million domestic (+11%). In Sep 2026 alone, airport passenger traffic surged 37% YoY to 12.5 million

Vietnam Airlines has postponed the launch of its 4 weekly Hanoi–Ahmedabad service from 25 Oct to 3 Nov 2026

On 30 Sep, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam granted Sun PhuQuoc Airways (SPA) approval to operate Airbus A330 wide-body aircraft, allowing the airline to expand into Europe just 1 year after obtaining its Air Operator Certificate on 25 Sep 2025. Having carried nearly 3.4 million passengers across over 10 regional destinations in its first year, SPA will enter service with its first owned A330 on the Hanoi-HCMC route on 3 Oct, ahead of launching its first long-haul international A330 route between Phu Quoc and Moscow on 13 Nov 2026. SPA aims to expand its A330 fleet to eight by Apr 2027, introduce routes to Japan (Jan 2027) and Australia (May 2027), evaluate further flights to Europe and Central Asia, and eventually add Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for transcontinental operations

In a company statement released on 30 Sep, Vietnamese private carrier Bamboo Airways announced the reinstatement of Le Thai Sam as its chairman, replacing Truong Phuong Thanh, who continues as CEO - marking the airline's eighth chairman change since 2022

Running through Dec 2026, Quang Ninh’s autumn-winter tourism stimulus programme combines promotional packages and service discounts, such as up to 60% off at major hotels like FTE Ha Long and Muong Thanh Luxury Ha Long Centre, alongside 50% off drinks at Cha Village Ha Long, with cultural, sports, and marketing events to boost stays and spending. From Jan-Sep 2026, Quang Ninh welcomed around 18.8 million visitors, including around 4.21 million international visitors, with total tourism revenue estimated at 56.4 trillion VND. Quang Ninh aims to achieve full-year targets of over 23 million visitors and more than 71 trillion VND in tourism revenue

The Philippines ranked 7th among the fastest improvers in the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026, with its score rising 5.5% since 2024 to 4.08 points, and a 9.6% rise since 2019. The top 7 improvers were Albania (+7% to 4.14), Vietnam (+6.3% to 4.15), Laos (+6.1% to 3.69), Qatar (+6% to 4.23), Malaysia (+5.8% to 4.5), Thailand (+5.6% to 4.35) and the Philippines

From Jan-Sep 2026, Phu Quoc welcomed over 8.57 million visitors (+30.5% YoY), including 1.92 million international arrivals (+60.2%), and generated around 45.976 trillion VND in tourism revenue (+47.7%), surpassing its full-year target by 1% and accounting for nearly 80% of An Giang province's total tourism income. Experts highlight that the island is generating higher value per stay by curating day-to-night itineraries

The Ninh Binh provincial People's Committee and the Vietnam Railway Corporation Group conducted a trial run for a 6-star luxury tourist train on the Hanoi-Ninh Binh route on 28 Sep, targeting a full commercial launch within a couple of months. The daily 14-carriage train integrates transportation, culture, cuisine, and onboard entertainment, linking Hanoi's urban heritage with key Ninh Binh destinations via Ninh Binh Station, including Thung Ui, the Hoa Lu Ancient Capital, the Trang An UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Bai Dinh temple complex. Tourism managers and travel operators participated in the trial to refine rail-based itineraries. Ninh Binh welcomed over 21 million total visitors (including 2.4 million international tourists, +25.5% YoY) from Jan-Sep 2026

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism have launched the nationwide "Vietnam’s Best Rural Tourist Destination 2026" contest under their 2024-2030 cooperation framework to support the National Target Programme (2026-2035) and Vietnam’s Tourism Development Strategy to 2030. Provincial People's Committees can submit up to 2 commune-level entries by 15 Oct, targeting sites with unique rural assets, active community involvement, and structured management bodies. A panel assessment, on-site audits, and public online voting running through 30 Nov will judge entries across 4 areas, including tourism products, community benefits, sustainable risk management, and digital promotion. The Organising Committee will award trophies, certificates, and cash prizes to 5 panel-selected winners, and 3 public-vote winners at the 2026 Vietnam OCOP Festival in HCMC (3-6 Dec) to build a recognised national brand and link local sites with global rural tourism networks

The Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra has instructed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) to establish concrete tasks, deadlines, and legal mechanisms, including Law on Tourism amendments and special-purpose regulations, alongside completing the national tourism development strategy by the end of 2026 as part of the Politburo's Resolution 26. Development will focus on 3 core growth poles (Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang), 10 key tourism centres, 20 national tourist areas, and 15 top enterprises, with every locality required to launch at least one flagship product. MCST must build a connected national tourism database, while the Ministry of Education and Training audits higher-education tourism programs to align training with market needs

Under a plan approved by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam aims to establish at least 1 hybrid retail-tourism-leisure outlet model by 2030, with a vision to develop at least 1 outlet across each of the northern, central, and southern regions by 2045. The strategy targets training 5,000 management personnel, ensuring domestic goods make up 30-40% of inventory at pilot sites, and creating 10 "national gift" product categories. The plan defines 3 formats, including Premium Outlet Villages (30,000-50,000 sqm), Integrated Outlets (15,000-50,000 sqm), and Urban/Suburban Centres (5,000-25,000 sqm), with pilot projects encouraged in Hanoi, HCMC, Da Nang, Quang Ninh, and An Giang, alongside strict state oversight regarding pricing transparency, product origin, and anti-counterfeiting measures

Under a 2026-2030 national scheme being prepared by the Vietnam Administration of Medical Services, Vietnam aims to boost its annual medical tourism revenue from $1-2 billion USD (generated by 300,000 visitors) to $2.5 billion USD by introducing at least 30 specialised healthcare packages. These full-service packages will integrate hospital treatment in areas such as cardiology, oncology, dentistry, and traditional medicine with airport transfers and post-treatment resort stays. To build a competitive regional brand, the strategy incorporates longer-term medical visas, standardised accreditation, enhanced foreign language training for staff, and international digital health data standards for remote consultations

From Jan-Aug 2026, Da Nang welcomed over 411,000 visitors from Russia and the CIS (+94.2% YoY). Russian arrivals alone rose 151.4% to nearly 300,000, establishing Russia as the city's seventh-largest international tourist market. Da Nang is combining beach holidays with wellness, golf, gastronomy, and cultural heritage offerings across Da Nang and Hoi An, supported by upcoming presstrips, famtrips, and participation in MITT Moscow 2027

Following a state visit to Canada by General Secretary and President To Lam, Canada and Vietnam expanded their Air Transport Agreement on 24 Sep, paving the way for the first direct, non-stop flights between the 2 nations from 2027. Under the deal, airlines from each country can operate up to 14 weekly passenger/combination flights and 7 weekly all-cargo flights (which also gain fifth-freedom rights). Air Canada has already announced plans to launch a scheduled service to HCMC in 2027

In its latest index released on 25 Sep, the World Economic Forum (WEF) awarded Vietnam a score of 4.15 - a 6.1% improvement from 2024 that outpaced regional peers including Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia. Vietnam has climbed 7 places to rank 52nd among 110 economies. The index assesses 102 indicators across 17 pillars to measure underlying policies and conditions for sustainable development. While Vietnam ranked fifth in Southeast Asia overall, it achieved global top-tier standing in 7 indicators, led by price competitiveness (7th) and safety and security (9th), alongside strong showings in cultural resources, natural resources, air transport infrastructure, non-leisure resources, and demand sustainability. However, the report highlighted remaining vulnerabilities, placing Vietnam in the lower-ranking groups for tourism infrastructure and services, environmental sustainability, sector prioritisation, and socio-economic impact

In central Vietnam, coastal villages like Tam Tien in Da Nang and Tan Thanh in Hoi An are building sustainable tourism around local livelihoods rather than large resort developments. At Tam Tien, an added afternoon fish market allows fishermen to sell seafood directly to tourists, 80% of whom are backpackers, while homestays charge 80,000-120,000 VND to cook their purchases, supplementing traditional fishing income without replacing it. Local residents retain ownership of businesses and reinvest in shared infrastructure, such as boat lighting, fresh water supplies, and embankments. Meanwhile, events at Tan Thanh beach integrate highland ethnic communities like the Cotu people, who share traditional music, dance, and produce with international visitors, fostering cross-cultural exchange and preserving regional heritage

Klook and Visa signed an MoU covering Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam, with joint marketing and promotional initiatives and Klook becoming a partner on Visa Destinations, Visa’s travel platform. The companies will also build a creator framework across Southeast Asia, hosting affiliate links from Visa creators on Klook’s Kreator Shops storefronts. Visa’s 2026 Global Travel Intentions study found 37% of Asia-Pacific respondents planned trips around local experiences, against a global average of 29%, and Klook’s Travel Pulse 2026 found more than half of Asia-Pacific travellers surveyed did not begin planning with a fixed destination, with 23% starting from a particular activity

The Climate Impact Lab at the University of Chicago projects El Nino phenomenon could cause 19,300 additional heat-related deaths in Indonesia between June 2026 and February 2027, part of 451,000 worldwide. A further 19,400 are projected across the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. The researchers project global land temperatures 1.2℃ above normal in the coming months and 44% more extremely hot days than in a regular year, and said the toll could climb higher if El Niño extends further into 2027

On 18 Sep, Michelin unveiled its 2026 Michelin Key selection, awarding 21 properties in Vietnam, including 3 luxury landmarks developed by Sun Group and designed by architect Bill Bensley. Capella Hanoi retained Three Michelin Keys - a distinction held by only 2 hotels in Vietnam and 155 worldwide - for its 47-room 1920s opera-themed sanctuary. Meanwhile, Hotel de la Coupole - MGallery in Sa Pa retained One Michelin Key for its blend of French haute couture and indigenous hill-tribe design, and InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort debuted with One Michelin Key for its cliffside coastal setting featuring the La Maison 1888 restaurant and Nam Tràm funicular railway

According to the city Party Chief, HCMC will not ban petrol vehicles, choosing instead to address severe congestion through gradual electric vehicle incentives, private vehicle restrictions, and expanded public transport to meet 15-20% of travel demand by 2030. Key measures include cost-sharing for the electric transition, potential low-emission zones starting in central areas from Jul 2027, and a 2 trillion VND free-bus initiative that boosted passenger numbers by 48% YoY in its initial months. The city also plans to integrate dynamic bus sizing and upgraded stops with its expanding metro network, while using smart cameras and time- or area-based rules to manage traffic flow alongside cultural and regulatory shifts

During President To Lam's visit to the US, Vietjet signed an agreement with SpaceX's Starlink to provide free high-speed satellite internet across its domestic and international routes, including flights over remote areas and oceans. The initial rollout will equip 120 aircraft (100 Airbus A321 and Boeing 737s, plus 20 Airbus A330s), with plans to install the system on future fleet deliveries

During the Hello America 2026 Investment Conference in New York on 23 Sep, hosted by Sovico Group during President To Lam's US visit, Vietnamese companies signed 23 agreements with US and international partners across aviation and finance. Key aviation deals include Vietjet exploring engine maintenance (MRO) facilities in Vietnam with Pratt & Whitney, aircraft financing with SKY Leasing for five Boeing 737 MAX 8s, potential engine support at Long Thanh International Airport with FTAI Aviation, and digital payment systems with Mastercard

Under a plan approved by the Deputy Prime Minister on 22 Sep, Vietnam will pilot connecting its national digital ID app, VNeID, with Singapore’s Singpass and Laos’s LAeID to streamline border processing, save costs, and potentially expand to other ASEAN nations. By 30 Oct, relevant Vietnamese ministries must collaborate with Singaporean and Lao authorities to establish entry/exit procedures and technical standards, with technical integration and security testing due by 15 Nov 2026. Starting in 2026, pilots at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat international airports will evaluate authentication rates, processing speeds, and user feedback to inform full-scale deployment and broader regional integration

Quang Ninh is hosting the 2026 National Travel Conference and the National Tourism Promotion Conference on 23-24 Sep, bringing together roughly 250 industry leaders, government representatives, airlines, and media. The travel conference, themed Innovation - Connectivity - Elevating Vietnamese Travel, evaluates 2026 travel operations and addresses market bottlenecks while covering digital transformation, supply chain linkages, and product innovation. The promotion conference focuses on setting upcoming marketing strategies, priority market selection, and collaborative campaigns through cross-sector panel discussions. Quang Ninh is also conducting B2B networking sessions, a heritage promotional campaign, and a fam trip highlighting its coastal, island, cultural, and eco-tourism offerings

Hoi An's Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations (22-25 Sep) feature a wide range of cultural activities centred on its silk lantern-making heritage. Key events include a photo exhibition on the traditional Thien Cau (Sacred Dog) dance, the Music and Moon traditional folk music programme, and "Old Quarter Night" on 24 Sep, which recreates early 20th-century life through poetry, classical tuồng drama, martial arts, chess, and calligraphy. Visitors can also participate in hands-on craft workshops, nightly lion dances, folk games, lantern riddle-solving, and food-tasting walking tours

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has raised its growth forecast for Vietnam to 7.8% in 2026 and 7.6% in 2027, driven by a strong first-half GDP expansion of 8.2% across manufacturing, services, and agriculture. However, inflation forecasts have been revised upwards to 4.3% for 2026 and 4.0% for 2027 due to widespread price pressures and higher import costs, which contributed to a $23 billion USD trade deficit by late Aug. ADB warns that rapid credit expansion and heavy reliance on bank lending could heighten risks regarding inflation, exchange rates, and financial-system stability, limiting scope for further monetary easing. ADB recommends shifting focus from input expansion to productivity improvements, ensuring more efficient public investment, strengthening domestic supply chain linkages with foreign direct investment, and enhancing support for local businesses beyond simple interest rate cuts

Minor Hotels has signed a management agreement with Trading Construction Works Organization (via subsidiary Gerbera-II Hospitality One Member Company Limited) to operate the new-build Avani+ Hanoi, marking the group's first property in Hanoi and its first urban branded hotel in a major Vietnamese city. Scheduled to open in 2028 in Hanoi's central Bach Mai Ward, the 310-room premium lifestyle hotel forms part of the Hinode City mixed-use development alongside a new lifestyle mall and 1,099 residential and serviced apartments

Vietnam's Dien Bien province and northern Laos' Bokeo province held talks on 16 Sep 2026 to expand tourism ties and develop cross-border travel routes connecting Laos, Vietnam and Thailand, including cross-border self-drive car and motorcycle caravan tours. The two sides agreed to establish direct cooperation between Dien Bien's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Bokeo's Department of Culture and Tourism, exchange professional expertise, and support mutual tourism promotion. They also agreed to create favourable conditions for travel businesses to connect, survey the market and design new itineraries, and to study coordination mechanisms to streamline entry and exit procedures for tour groups, particularly self-drive caravan fleets

Lang Son province and China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region agreed to expand cross-border tourism by developing distinct, complementary routes across cultural, historical, ecological, and leisure resources, alongside caravan, spiritual, and shopping travel. Industry representatives from both regions urged authorities to simplify administrative procedures, adopt digital technologies, and reduce waiting times at border gates. According to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, from Jan- Sep 2026, Lang Son welcomed around 269,000 international visitors, with a significant proportion originating from Guangxi

The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has allowed 25 commercial banks to exclude 2026 credit growth for restaurants, hotels, tourism, eco-tourism, and resorts from their overall real estate outstanding loans when calculating real estate credit growth. The mechanism expands loan capacity for developers and indirectly improves capital access for individual buyers, though lending remains subject to project legalities, customer repayment ability, and bank policies. Major players such as Sun Group and Vinpearl, whose construction-in-progress costs reached over 6.3 trillion VND by Jun 2026, stand to benefit. This follows a similar May 2026 dispatch for social housing and industrial zones. By the end of Jun 2026, total real estate outstanding credit reached $193.1 billion USD, up 8.1% from the start of the year and comprising 25.5% of total economic credit, with medium- and long-term loans accounting for 94%. The 25 participating banks are VietinBank, Agribank, BIDV, MSB, Sacombank, Eximbank, Nam A Bank, ACB, Saigonbank, Techcombank, Bac A Bank, VIB, SeABank, BVBank, OCB, ABBank, VietABank, SHB, VPBank, Kienlongbank, VietBank, LPBank, TPBank, BaoVietBank, and PVcomBank

Ahead of hosting APEC 2027, Phu Quoc is constructing a multimodal transport axis along the DT975 corridor and a 3km ceremonial APEC Boulevard to link its expanding international airport with the APEC Convention Center and a 4,030-seat multipurpose theatre. The 62-metre-wide DT975 features 10 motor vehicle lanes alongside a median-run 17.59km double-track light rail transit (LRT) system comprising 6 culturally themed stations and an underground APEC section. Backed by investor Sun Group, civil works, including bridges, drainage, and track installation are advancing rapidly for a 2026-2027 completion alongside broader plans for the airport's expansion and the $653 million USD An Thoi International Port development

Private developer Deo Ca Group has proposed a public-private partnership (PPP) expansion to broaden a 350km, 4-lane section of the North-South Expressway, specifically the Mai Son-National Highway 45, Nghi Son-Dien Chau, and Vinh Hao-Phan Thiet segments, to 6 lanes. The PPP approach requires a preliminary investment of around $5.9 billion USD, including $3.9 billion USD from medium-term public investment capital, aiming to save State funds while addressing growing traffic demands. The Ministry of Construction supports prioritising expansion based on transport volume, dividing the route review into 3 major segments from Cao Bang to Dat Mui, and directing the Department for Roads of Vietnam to align expansion plans with existing BOT investors

Gia Lai Province has designated tourism as a key economic pillar and plans to allocate around $3.6 million USD across 2026-2027 to attract international visitors. Under a proposed draft policy, businesses will receive $7,700 USD per international charter flight landed at Phu Cat Airport, while inbound tour operators will benefit from a 50% discount on entrance fees at major local attractions, alongside promotional support. The province aims to reach 18.5 million tourists annually by 2030, including over 1 million foreign arrivals

Lao Cai Province is building a smart tourism ecosystem to empower local mountain communities and showcase lesser-known destinations through digital platforms. Between 2026 and 2027, the province aims to digitise 30% of its tourism resources, deploy digital management in 50% of establishments, and integrate digital operations across 90% of main sites, alongside introducing virtual 360-degree tours, AI multilingual homestay tools, and digital payments. Looking ahead to the 2028-2030 acceleration phase, Lao Cai plans to digitise all eligible resources, expand broadband and 5G to key locations, and build a unified big data repository linking tourism with transport, trade, and healthcare to drive market analysis and promotion

China imported nearly $7.5 billion USD worth of fresh durians in 2023, with Vietnam quickly gaining ground on Thailand - China's largest supplier by value at around $4 billion USD, by exporting a larger volume of fresh durians to China in 2025. While Chinese consumers historically favoured Thai varieties like Monthong and Puangmanee for their aroma, Vietnamese varieties such as Gan Yao are rising in popularity. Vietnam’s varied geography enables nearly year-round harvesting across regions like the Mekong Delta and Central Highlands, while its shared border provides a distinct logistical advantage. Shipments from southern Vietnam to Pingxiang in Guangxi take between 3-8 days before being distributed across China’s cold-chain network. This trade boom, supported by smart port clearance, 3 China-ASEAN fruit trading centres established in Guangxi in 2023, and over 895,000 tonnes of South-East Asian fruit passing through Guangxi ports in early 2026, has boosted local incomes along the border by an additional $447-$746 USD per month

Klook signed 2 MoUs with Vinpearl and Sun Hospitality and Entertainment, 2 of Vietnam's largest attraction operators, while hosting its Kreatorverse 2026 summit in Da Nang and Phu Quoc in Aug 2026. Focusing on marketing management, strategic expansion, product development, and data-sharing, the MOUs aim to build destination experiences that connect global travellers with key locations like Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and beyond, while driving digital transformation across Vietnam's tourism sector. Klook's Kreatorverse 2026 summit brought together over 120 content creators from 17 markets alongside regional media, merchant partners, and tourism boards to highlight key Vietnamese destinations

By mid-Sep 2026, Da Nang had provided consultancy for and welcomed nearly 200 MICE groups comprising over 60,000 visitors, made up of around 35,400 international delegates across 121 groups and 24,600 domestic delegates across 78 groups. Aiming to support nearly 93,000 MICE visitors in 2026 (+12% YoY), the city updated its support policy to cover domestic groups of at least 70 participants and international groups of 30 or more. Da Nang adopted a direct promotional strategy by inviting corporate destination-selectors to experience its local accommodation, meeting facilities, resort, cultural, heritage, culinary, artistic, and entertainment offerings. Overall, the city is targeting 19.1 million total visitors in 2026 (including 8.7 million international arrivals) and projected tourism revenue from accommodation, catering, and travel services of nearly $2.7 billion USD

Dong Thap received around 5.5 million visitors (including 432,000 international arrivals) and earned 2.9 trillion VND in tourism revenue from Jan-Aug 2026, +4% YoY, putting it on track to hit its full-year targets of 8 million visitors and 4.8 trillion VND in revenue. A strong 5-day National Day holiday boosted performance, generating 64.5 billion VND, +66% YoY, from nearly 170,000 visitors, including 13,084 international visitors, +131%. The province is driving visitor growth through green tourism investments alongside digital promotion efforts, such as a multilingual smart 3D/360-degree interactive map and a dedicated mobile app

The Northwest Tourism Fair 2026 will take place from 25-30 Sep at Gold Field Square in Nghia Lo ward (Lao Cai province), with an official opening ceremony scheduled for 9:30am on 26 Sep. The event features 4 key zones, including a 128sqm stage area, a 400sqm OCOP (One Commune One Product) promotion space, 65 booths for provincial tourism advertising, and a cultural exhibition space with 14 booths, 200sqm of tents, and a reading area

The Tan Phu - Bao Loc Expressway is a key 65.88-km, Grade I transport project linking Dong Nai and Lam Dong provinces to boost regional transport links and ease congestion on National Highway 20. The route will cut travel times between HCMC - Da Lat from over 6 hours to roughly 3 hours. An appraisal council meeting on 14 Sep 2026 proposed constructing the highway to its full final specification immediately rather than in phases, a move expected to prevent traffic disruption and save an estimated $16.8 million USD ahead of its planned Q4 2027 commercial launch

Tours and exploration at the 250-million-year-old Bat Cave (Hang Doi) in Pu Luong Nature Reserve in Thanh Hoa province were suspended on 12 Sep following a visitor's report of falling soil and rocks. The 2.5km karst cave features a 10m-high entrance and connects to an underground river system, with entrance fees previously costing $0.76-$1.92 USD per person. Local authorities are stepping up monitoring to prevent unauthorised entry and urging businesses not to take visitors inside until the Pu Luong Commune People's Committee completes a formal safety assessment

On 15 Sep 2026, Vietnam’s Party General Secretary and President To Lam held talks in Hanoi with King Maha Vajiralongkorn and Queen Suthida of Thailand, marking the first state visit by a Thai monarch to Vietnam in the 50-year history of their diplomatic relations. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening political trust, enhancing economic and investment cooperation, and boosting connectivity across tourism, culture, education, and trade. In addition to pledging continued collaboration within ASEAN and multilateral forums for regional stability, President Lam commended the Thai Royal Family’s community projects in Vietnam and expressed gratitude for their care toward the Vietnamese diaspora and the preservation of President Ho Chi Minh historical sites in Thailand

Following criminal proceedings opened on 15 Sep 2026 by An Giang Province police, Phan Vo Kieu Truc Linh - an employee of Minh Huy PQ Travel Co., has been barred from leaving her residence after being accused of assigning an unqualified pilot to operate speedboat AG-26751. The vessel overturned on 11 Jul off Hon May Rut Ngoai in the Phu Quoc Special Zone, throwing 36 people into the sea. While 21 were rescued, 15 Indian tourists were killed

Italian luxury rail operator Arsenale (part of the Barletta Group) has acquired a 33% strategic stake in Vietnam's SJourney - a brand established in 2024 operates an 8-day, 1,726km heritage route between Hanoi and HCMC, with plans to eventually increase ownership to 50%. Arsenale will boost SJourney's international profile and potentially license it as "SJourney by Golden Eagle". Arsenale and SJourney plan to invest $23.2 million USD over 5 years to upgrade infrastructure and expand luxury rail operations into neighbouring Southeast Asian countries

Despite welcoming nearly 16 million international visitors from Jan-Aug 2026 (+14.4 YoY), Vietnam’s tourism sector faces a critical skilled labour shortage across frontline roles, management, and foreign-language guides. A 2026 Hoteljob.vn survey revealed that nearly 90% of tourism businesses planned to recruit, with 71.8% in HCMC finding it difficult, and remote areas like Con Dao struggling with retention due to high living costs. Although 79.5% of firms have increased pay, 59.2% noted that lower relative incomes still drive young workers away, while nearly 80% reported that fewer than 20% of applicants are immediately work-ready due to gaps in practical training, discipline, and service mindsets

The Ministry of Finance is gathering public feedback on a draft decree to grant a 30% reduction in personal income tax (PIT) and corporate income tax (CIT) for 2026 and 2027 to qualifying business households, individuals, companies, cooperatives, and public non-business units. To qualify, an entity's annual revenue, including consolidated receipts across all business activities and dependent units, must not exceed $379,000 USD. Eligible taxpayers may self-calculate and apply the 30% cut during quarterly provisional CIT calculations or initial PIT declarations based on projected income, but must perform a final calculation using actual revenue at the end of the tax year. If actual annual revenue exceeds the threshold, the taxpayer forfeits the discount and must pay back the reduced tax without late-payment penalties, while any overpaid amounts can be refunded or offset against future tax liabilities

Logistics options connecting China, Vietnam, ASEAN, and beyond are expanding through faster transit times, 24/7 operations, and developing 2-way freight services. A key example is the nearly 4,000 km Qinghai-Dong Nai route, which leverages direct operations and inland border clearance to cut travel times from 12-15 days down to around 7 days. Vietnam is pursuing major infrastructure projects, including the 360 km, 289 trillion VND Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong line, alongside an updated railway master plan to build standard-gauge border connections with China, Laos, and Cambodia

Authorities in Sa Pa Ward (Lao Cai province) have launched 3 digital kiosks, housing 4 smart information-search devices, and 3 free public wifi points capable of serving around 2,000 simultaneous wifi users at key locations including the Stone Church, San Quan, and Mat Ngoc Lake. The digital facilities were built within 15 days using roughly $30,400 USD in mobilised social funding, and inaugurated alongside a 10.6-metre, $133,000 USD clock tower at the Xuan Vien and Ngu Chi Son intersection to boost smart urban services and tourism. The ward plans to expand the network to 22 digital kiosks between 2027 and 2030, prioritising community cultural houses, densely populated residential areas, and high-demand public spaces

Driven by a record 225,000 Japanese tourists in H1 2026 and surging flight bookings from Tokyo and Kansai, Da Nang is expanding its promotional efforts in Japan. Supported by 66,000 quality hotel rooms and 160 Japanese-speaking tour guides, the city hosted 12.1 million total visitors (nearly half foreign) from Jan-Jul 2026 while continuing to deepen ties through local events like the annual Japan-Vietnam Festival and the Kanagawa Festival. Da Nang has established cooperative relations with over 20 Japanese prefectures and cities, holding MOUs with 6, including Yokohama and Nagasaki

According to Hilton's South East Asia Pulse Check, 96% of regional travellers plan to travel within Southeast Asia in the next 12 months, with 59% intending to increase their trip spending. Growth is propelled by Gen Z and Millennials, with 54% of Gen Z planning to travel more frequently, while 63% of Millennials plan to spend more, whereas older generations intend to maintain their current habits. Nationally, Vietnamese travellers lead in travel frequency (55%) and multi-destination trips (60%), Thai (69%) and Indonesian (68%) travellers show the highest spending intent, and Filipino travellers prefer longer stays (51%). While value for money is the region's top destination factor overall (51%), culinary experiences take priority in Vietnam (49%), and destinations like Bangkok (41%), Singapore (38%), and Bali (34%) remain top choices alongside secondary hotspots like Phu Quoc and Penang. Digital planning is heavily driven by social media for inspiration (78%), led by YouTube (75%) and TikTok (71%), while AI is increasingly used for accommodation research (61%), where guests look beyond location and price to prioritise quality dining (47%) and family-friendly amenities (45%)

On 11 Sep 2026, Vietnamese Party General Secretary and President To Lam met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to adopt the 2026-2028 Action Plan for the Vietnam-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, established in Oct 2024. The joint statement reaffirmed commitments to multilateralism, international law, UNCLOS 1982 in the East Sea, UN reforms, and peaceful resolutions to conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Bilateral initiatives include the VNREDSat-2 satellite project, critical minerals management, nuclear energy assessment, energy transition goals aiming for net-zero by 2050, railway renovation (Hanoi-Haiphong), and key educational and cultural exchanges such as relocating the USTH to Hoa Lac by 2028 and returning a Dong Son bronze drum