Vietnam’s Tourism Boom During Tet: Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc Set Record Highs—Here’s Why You Need to Visit Now!

Published on February 23, 2026

The 2026 Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday has proven to be a period of remarkable growth for tourism in Vietnam, with popular destinations bustling with visitors both from within the country and abroad. From Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi and Quang Ninh, the surge in tourism during this nine-day holiday has driven significant economic activity, with destinations and attractions across the country reporting impressive visitor numbers and increased tourism revenue.

Ho Chi Minh City: A Major Hub for Tet Holidaymakers

During the Tet holiday, Ho Chi Minh City experienced an outstanding increase in tourist arrivals, attracting 4.32 million visitors, which marked a 35% year-on-year increase compared to 2025. The city’s tourism sector saw international arrivals reach approximately 170,000, and tourism revenue for the period was estimated at VND12.15 trillion (around US$467 million), reflecting a 42.9% growth in comparison to the previous year.

Domestic tourism dominated the numbers, with travelers flocking to well-known destinations and resort spots offering scenic landscapes and accessible travel options. Popular routes, including flights from Ho Chi Minh City to Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, and Da Lat, were particularly favored, especially by multi-generational families taking three-to-five-day trips. The rise of urban tourism within the city itself also stood out, with key attractions like Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Ben Thanh Market, and Takashimaya Vietnam drawing large crowds for shopping, dining, and events during the festive season.

Cultural and historical landmarks such as the Reunification Palace, War Remnants Museum, and Cu Chi Tunnels maintained stable visitor numbers, with many international tourists seeking cultural enrichment during their stay. This indicates a growing demand for urban sightseeing and cultural-culinary experiences, a trend that continues to strengthen the city’s appeal to international visitors, especially those from Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Australia.

Tourism Boom in Northern Vietnam

Northern Vietnam, particularly Hanoi, also experienced impressive growth during the Tet holiday. The city welcomed approximately 1.34 million visitors, which represented a 36.3% increase over the previous year. This surge contributed to an estimated VND4.9 trillion (US$188 million) in tourism revenue, a 40.2% increase from the previous year.

As part of the “Tet for the People” initiative, Hanoi waived admission fees at 17 major attractions and historical sites, and provided free transportation on 128 bus routes and two urban railway lines throughout the nine-day period. This initiative made it easier for both residents and visitors to explore the city’s cultural heritage. The capital’s ongoing efforts to make attractions more accessible were seen as a key factor in boosting tourism during this festive period.

Quang Ninh: A Vibrant Holiday Destination

In Quang Ninh, home to the famous Ha Long Bay, tourism thrived with more than 1.1 million visitors during the Tet holiday. This marked a 16% increase in visitors compared to the same period last year. Tourism revenue was estimated to reach VND3.2 trillion (US$123 million), reflecting the growing popularity of Ha Long Bay and other attractions, such as the Quang Ninh Museum.

Additionally, the annual Huong Tich Pagoda Festival, a major cultural and spiritual event in Hanoi, attracted 35,000 visitors since its opening on the sixth day of the Lunar New Year. The festival is expected to draw around 500,000 visitors by the end of the season, running until April 2026. This reinforces the increasing appeal of Vietnam’s cultural tourism during the Tet period.

Central and Southern Vietnam Enjoys a Surge in Tourist Activity

The Central and Southern regions of Vietnam also witnessed significant growth in tourism during the Tet holiday. In Da Nang, a city known for its rich history and beautiful landscapes, there was an estimated 1.1 million visitors, a 27% increase from the previous year. Among them, over 510,000 international visitors arrived, marking a 32% rise, while approximately 590,000 domestic visitors came to enjoy the region’s various tourist offerings. The city’s tourism revenue reached more than VND3.96 trillion (US$152 million), a 34% increase compared to 2025.

Hoi An, another popular destination in Da Nang, saw a surge of visitors attending traditional performances such as Bai Choi folk singing and classical opera. The region’s festivals and activities helped make Central Vietnam a prime destination for tourists during the Tet holiday.

Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc See Record Numbers

In the Mekong Delta, An Giang experienced a 37.3% increase in tourism, with 1.7 million visitors during the holiday period. Meanwhile, Phu Quoc, Vietnam’s famed island paradise, saw its own historic growth. The island welcomed an impressive 365,818 visitors, marking a 29.9% increase over the previous year. International arrivals to Phu Quoc also saw a rise of 24.3%, with the island’s airport handling a record 93 flights on the second day of Tet, carrying nearly 17,000 passengers.

This record-breaking volume of tourists underscores Phu Quoc’s status as a top travel destination, with airlines continuing to offer more connections to the island.

Rising Tourism in Ca Mau and Other Provinces

In Ca Mau, 407,300 visitors arrived during the holiday, representing a 19% increase from the previous year. Popular local attractions such as the Dat Mui Tourist Area and Huong Tram Ecotourism Site contributed to this surge in visitors, drawing crowds seeking nature and eco-tourism experiences.

Elsewhere, regions like Vung Tau and Quang Ngai also saw impressive visitor numbers, contributing to the nationwide increase in tourism during Tet 2026.