LIFESTYLE

Several destinations recorded tourism revenues above VND 1 trillion during the 2026 New Year holiday, led by HCM City, as favourable weather and a four day break boosted domestic travel nationwide.

Ho Chi Minh City raked in VND 2.63 trillion (over USD 100 million) from tourism activities during the New Year holiday from January 1 to 4, the municipal Department of Tourism has reported.

Popular attractions in former Ha Giang, now part of Tuyen Quang Province, were overwhelmed during the 2026 New Year break, forcing many visitors to cancel or cut short their trips.

Indian film projects have opened up opportunities to showcase Vietnam's stunning landscapes and culture to global audiences, choosing locations across Quang Tri, Ninh Binh, Danang, and other areas.

Moc Chau has turned into a sea of white as plum blossoms burst into bloom, luring visitors seeking fresh air and tranquil highland scenery.

Introduced at a ceremony in Then Pa Village, the product attracted the attention of local residents and tourists in the early days of 2026.

Tan Son Nhat Airport served nearly 120,000 passengers on January 2, with a sharp rise in international departures overtaking domestic outbound traffic.

Phu Quoc Airport is expected to handle nearly 290 arriving flights during the four-day New Year 2026 holiday, up 27 per cent year on year, with international services accounting for more than half.

The northern mountainous province of Lang Son on January 1 welcomed its first international visitors of the New Year, with a group of 40 tourists arriving from China.

The northern province of Quang Ninh served its first international cruise ship of 2026 on January 1, carrying more than 3,000 tourists.

HCM City’s Department of Tourism organised an event to welcome the first groups of tourists and visitors of 2026 in the city on January 1 at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport.

Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism sector has set the targets of welcoming 61 million visitors in 2026, including 11 million international arrivals, and earning VND 330 trillion (USD 12.5 billion) in revenue.

Tourism in Ho Chi Minh City continued to grow strongly in 2025, meeting and exceeding key targets with total revenue estimated at VND 260 trillion (approximately USD 10.4 billion).

Thirty four hot air balloons will feature at theSa Dec Flower and Ornamental Plant Festival from December 31 to January 3, 2026, adding a new visual attraction for year end visitors.

Hanoi authorities have announced detailed plans to redevelop both banks of the To Lich River, aiming to turn the polluted waterway into a major green and public space corridor in the inner city.

More than 20 central roads in Ho Chi Minh City will be closed to traffic on the night of December 31 to allow New Year 2026 celebrations and fireworks displays, according to the city traffic police.

Noi Bai Airport expects peak daily passenger numbers during New Year 2026 to rise about 12.5 per cent from normal levels, reaching nearly 115,000 travellers a day.

A series of themed train carriages in Hanoi takes visitors back to the subsidy era, showcasing food and daily life while blending cultural heritage with modern urban tourism.

France’s Vogue magazine said, Vietnam continues to reopen strongly to international visitors after the COVID-19 pandemic, offering diverse experiences while maintaining its distinctive identity.