Hanoi boosts Tet tourism with heritage events and tech-driven experiences
Hanoi is launching a coordinated slate of cultural, heritage and experiential programs for the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, backed by large-scale fireworks displays and citywide festival planning.
THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi is rolling out an expanded slate of cultural, artistic and heritage activities for the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, scheduled from February 14 to 22, as the capital seeks to build on strong early-year tourism momentum, according to the municipal Department of Tourism.
In the days leading up to Tet, Hang Luoc Flower Market is filled with vibrant colors as flowers come into full bloom. Photo: Chuyen Cua Ha Noi Group
Hanoi’s tourism sector has entered 2026 on a strong footing, welcoming an estimated 560,000 visitors during the four-day New Year holiday, including 110,000 international arrivals, and generating about VND2.1 trillion (US$81 million) in revenue, providing momentum for a broader Tet tourism push.
Marking the first Lunar New Year under the city’s two-tier local government model across 126 communes and wards, authorities plan to decentralize celebrations, expand heritage tours and integrate technology into tourism services to improve visitor access and experience.
A centerpiece of the holiday will be fireworks displays at 31 locations with 32 launch sites on New Year’s Eve, a move designed to ease congestion in central areas and extend festivities across the capital.
Young people eagerly pose for photos at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel to mark the 2026 traditional Tet holiday.
To stimulate demand, the Hanoi Department of Tourism is leading major programs such as “Hanoi Tourism Welcomes 2026 - Get on Hanoi 2026,” under the theme “Green Journey,” linked to the National Tourism Year 2026 in Gia Lai.
At the Thang Long Imperial Citadel, the “Happy Tet 2026” program will feature reenactments of the year-end farewell ceremony, spring incense offerings and traditional puppet performances.
Technology-based products are expected to diversify the holiday lineup, notably the “Memories of the Flagpole” tour and the 3D mapping show “Thang Long Capital,” while new experiential offerings such as the “Hanoi Beautiful Sound” night cycling tour, “Hanoi - Touching the Realm of Memories” at Truc Bach Lake and river camping in Da Phuc Commune aim to broaden visitor engagement beyond traditional sightseeing.
The Co Doi Thuong Ngan (The Second Mistress of Mountains and Forests) dance is performed at Thuy Trung Tien Temple on Truc Bach Lake as part of the Hanoi - Touching the Realm of Memories Tour.
The local authorities will organize 103 spring flower markets across 55 communes and wards, alongside the Tet Fair “Happy Spring - Reunion Tet,” while major heritage and spiritual sites such as Van Mieu, Dong Da Hill, Hai Ba Trung Temple and Huong Pagoda are prepared to welcome visitors.
With the nine-day Tet holiday expected to drive longer stays and higher spending, the Department of Tourism has required travel agencies and accommodation providers to publicly list prices and prevent illegal surcharges to ensure an orderly holiday season.
The capital is targeting 36 million visitors this year as it works to strengthen its position as a safe and attractive destination.
Hoan Kiem Lake is a must-visit destination in Hanoi during Tet.
