Travel agencies in Vietnam report that many customers have already booked tours to watch the 2026 World Cup in the US and Canada, with high-end travellers seeking exclusive, luxury experiences.
In early April, a Hanoi resident identified as Quy began exploring tour options departing from Vietnam. While interested in attending top matches, he expressed concern over high costs and uncertain visa timelines.
“Given the current situation, I must consider carefully because tour prices are quite high, and it is uncertain whether visa procedures will be completed in time for departure,” he said.
The 2026 World Cup will be the largest in history, expanding from 32 to 48 teams and increasing the number of matches from 64 to 104. It will be jointly hosted by the US, Canada and Mexico across 16 cities.
According to a survey by Dantri Newspaper, tour packages combining travel and match attendance are being sold from VND 61 million (about USD 2,400) per person, while exclusive premium packages can reach VND 1.5 billion (about USD 59,000).
Vietravel is offering packages ranging from VND 810 million to over VND 1.5 billion (about USD 32,000–59,000), including match tickets. The company has engaged nearly 400 customers and converted around 30 per cent of enquiries into bookings.
“Demand from Vietnamese customers remains positive, especially in the premium segment. Customers are not just attending football matches but also seeking personalised, high-quality experiences,” said Pham Van Bay, deputy director of Vietravel Hanoi.
The VND 810 million (about USD 32,000) package includes three nights in a five-star hotel, transfers and a quarter-final ticket with premium seating, fine dining and exclusive entertainment. The top-tier package, priced from VND 1.5 billion (about USD 59,000), offers a final match ticket, luxury accommodation in New York and fully customised itineraries.
Other firms, including Hoan My Travel Services, are also designing bespoke tours for corporate clients, combining match attendance with gala dinners and business events. Prices vary depending on requirements.
However, despite strong interest among high-end customers, overall demand is considered less vibrant compared with previous tournaments. Visa requirements for the US and Canada remain a significant barrier.
Nguyen Thi Be Thi, head of individual sales at Dat Viet Tour, said her company has secured two groups and several individual bookings for tours starting from VND 60 million (about USD 2,300), excluding match tickets.
She noted that customer interest is lower than for Euro 2024, reflecting tighter consumer spending and rising travel costs. Airfares for long-haul routes to North America have surged, in some cases doubling compared with a few months ago.
Visa processing times are another concern. US visa interview slots are fully booked until the end of April, while Canadian visa approvals have no fixed timeline, increasing the risk of missing departure schedules.
“There have been cases where customers failed US visa interviews despite being willing to pay for the tour,” Thi said.
Travel agencies also face operational uncertainties due to fluctuating airline schedules, rising fuel costs and potential flight reductions, which could disrupt planned itineraries.
Despite these challenges, companies advise customers to book tours in April to allow sufficient time for visa processing and flight arrangements, as delays could lead to higher costs and limited ticket availability.
