Vietnam draws 14 million visitors over Lunar New Year Holiday
The national tourism industry posted record traffic during the Year of the Horse holiday, signaling a broad-based recovery in domestic and international travel.
THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam recorded about 14 million visitors during the nine-day Lunar New Year holiday from February 14 to 22, up 12% year on year, highlighting a strong rebound in domestic travel and growing international arrivals.
The program "Vietnamese Tet - Tet Street 2026" celebrates the Lunar New Year of the Horse. Photo: Pho Co Chat
The Vietnam National Tourism Administration said average hotel occupancy nationwide was 55% to 60%, with leading destinations far higher: Phu Quoc at about 95%, Sa Pa at 90% to 95%, and Da Lat and Phan Thiet at 80% to 90%.
International arrivals surged in major cities, rising 32% in Danang to 510,000, 207% in Hue to nearly 238,200, 55% in Hanoi to about 217,000 and 51.7% in Ho Chi Minh City to roughly 170,000.
The rebound was bolstered by stimulus campaigns from tour operators such as Vietravel and Saigontourist, which introduced Tet-themed packages, cultural tours and river cruises.
An international visitor experiences making Tet fruit tray at Sheraton Hanoi Hotel. Photo: Cly Nguyen
Localities expanded cultural offerings to attract visitors, featuring new tours and 3D mapping shows at heritage sites, while luxury hotels introduced traditional activities such as banh chung (Vietnamese sticky rice cake) making and calligraphy workshops to lengthen guest stays.
Several provinces waived entrance fees to historical sites and major cities provided free bus and urban rail services in the first days of the year, helping boost travel during the extended holiday.
Coastal and highland destinations recorded strong growth, with emerging areas such as Dak Lak, Gia Lai and Bao Loc gaining attention, alongside established northern hubs like Sa Pa, Moc Chau and Ha Giang, known for spring festivals and ethnic culture.
Nguyen Trung Khanh, Head of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, said the results reflected proactive and coordinated preparation from central to local authorities.
International visitors to Hanoi's Old Quarter area during Tet holiday. Photo: Pho Co Chat
Khanh said Tet 2026 marked a new growth cycle for Vietnam’s tourism, driven by strong domestic demand and a faster-than-expected rebound in international markets, alongside a shift toward online bookings and personalized, heritage-based experiences, with planned amendments to the 2017 Tourism Law to enhance competitiveness.
For better development, local authorities are drafting a proposal to position tourism as a key economic sector in the new development phase, to be submitted to the Politburo in the third quarter, while Vietnam will host the National Tourism Year 2026 in Gia Lai to strengthen its global brand.
