As Vietnam enters a new development phase, tourism is poised for a breakthrough, reinforcing its role as a key growth driver.

In addition to preferential policies and programmes attracting tourism, business and marketing strategies played a key role for Vietnamese tourism to achieve success in 2025.

In recent years, digital transformation has become a common feature in socio-economic development strategies.

During the nine-day Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, Vietnam's tourism sector served an estimated 14 million visitors, up 12% year-on-year, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

With its rich natural and human resources, including a wide range of tangible and intangible cultural heritage across the country, Vietnam possesses outstanding strengths for the development of creative tourism.

Vietnam has once again been voted as the world’s most affordable country for expats in 2026, securing the top spot for the fifth consecutive year, according to the French newswire Journal du Net (JDN).

As the Lunar New Year (Tet) is approaching, a surge in cultural tourism is drawing foreigners to Vietnamese coastal hotspots in the early days of the 2026 travel season.

In January 2026, Vietnam’s tourism sector hit a historic high in international arrivals, reaffirming its role as a key driver in the country’s new development era.

Vietnam’s tourism sector is entering a new growth phase, as HCM City’s special policies unlock a “golden opportunity” for innovation, transformation and strategic expansion toward 2035.

Vietnam saw nearly 2.5 million international arrivals in January 2026 – the highest monthly total ever recorded, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).

Data from travel platform Agoda show that searches for domestic destinations during the upcoming Tet holiday surged by nearly 22%, far outpacing outbound travel demand, which rose by a modest 7%.

Gia Lai will host Vietnam’s 2026 National Tourism Year under the theme “Gia Lai – Great forests meet blue seas,” featuring 244 events designed to attract both domestic and international travelers.

Authentic Asia DMC, in coordination with the Little Hoi An Group, Vietstar Cruises Investment JSC and Destination Chase, hosted a workshop introducing Vietnam’s tourism offerings in Tel Aviv on February 1.

The Hanoi Department of Tourism and Tay Ho ward People’s Committee kicked off the “Get on Hanoi 2026 – A Green Journey” on January 30 evening.

Cultural tourism holds undeniable potential to rise as one of Ho Chi Minh City’s most coveted signatures, but it still largely exists as a supplementary component.

Vietnam welcomed nearly 21.2 million foreign arrivals in 2025, marking a stellar 20.4% increase from 2024 and surpassing 2019 pre-pandemic levels by 19%.

Vietnam will step up promotion of its national tourism brand at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026 and the ASEAN Travel Exchange (TRAVEX), to be held from January 28–30 in Cebu, the Philippines.

French magazine Vogue has ranked Vietnam among Asia’s top destinations for 2026, highlighting its unique mix of breathtaking landscapes, vibrant culture and contemporary energy.

Blessed with a long coastline and some of the world’s most beautiful bays, the central province of Khanh Hoa is increasingly positioning tourism as a driving force for its overall socio-economic development.