Ho Chi Minh City affirms position as regional megacity destination

Saigon Tours - From the beginning of January 2026, Ho Chi Minh City's tourism industry has been working with the local travel business community to plan for welcoming tourists during the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026.

In particular, many businesses in the industry have prepared their product and service supply chains well in advance and expect to take advantage of the opportunity to increase revenue during the holiday season.

Prioritize key markets

Market observations show that travel businesses in Ho Chi Minh City have proactively developed and introduced a diverse range of short-day tours, city tours, night experience tours, culinary tours, and tours connecting Ho Chi Minh City with neighboring localities. These businesses not only design tour itineraries suitable for the domestic market but also focus on key international markets such as Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and Europe, which tend to have shorter stays, combining urban sightseeing, culinary experiences, shopping, and participation in activities celebrating the Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse 2026).

Speaking with reporters, Mr. Dung from Viet Lux Travel said that from very early on, Viet Lux has worked with its network of domestic and international suppliers to prepare a wide range of products and services, as well as build stimulus packages for customers. In particular, for Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Lux will launch several distinctive tourism products in late 2025 and early 2026.

For the international market, the company has developed many products to welcome the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026. Among them is the "Foreigners Celebrating Tet in the Mekong Delta" product line, and it is expected that in January 2026, Viet Lux will welcome 6 groups of tourists to participate in the Mekong Delta region. The program for foreign tourists to experience the Lunar New Year has been maintained and developed annually for many years, but this year's "Foreigners Celebrating Tet in the Mekong Delta" has received much positive feedback and tour bookings from the international market.

In the restaurant and hotel sector, Ms. Vu Thi Thanh Hien of Kim Do Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, said that the hotel is busy and excitedly preparing products and services to welcome guests to Ho Chi Minh City before, during, and after the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026. Kim Do Hotel's advantage lies in its location right on Nguyen Hue Street, so every year during the Lunar New Year, it welcomes a large number of guests who come to experience its products and services after visiting the Nguyen Hue Flower Street in the city.

"With the aim of ensuring excellent service for the number of guests staying at Kim Do Hotel in particular, as well as for groups visiting Ho Chi Minh City in general, the hotel is currently actively developing additional accommodation and culinary services. For example, in front of the hotel, Kim Do Hotel is permitted to operate a food service to offer an increasing variety of local dishes to not only international tourists, but also overseas Vietnamese and domestic guests. In addition, Kim Do also has entertainment programs such as lion and dragon dances, and a festival celebrating the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, showcasing the rich Vietnamese identity for guests", said Hien.

To date, travel agencies and accommodation establishments in Ho Chi Minh City have implemented measures to improve the quality of their products and services to ensure effective tourism stimulus during this year's Tet holiday and to guarantee safety in the tourism sector. Simultaneously, these businesses are also focusing their product and service development on two main fronts: ensuring product and service quality development, along with effective communication and promotion in key markets.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, the tourism industry never takes a break during holidays and Tet (Lunar New Year), and preparations are always underway to serve the potential surge in tourist numbers during peak periods. Travel agencies in Ho Chi Minh City are preparing new products and the best tour programs to meet the demand for the upcoming Tet holiday in 2026. A quick report from several travel agencies indicates that booking airline tickets is currently difficult, demonstrating the high demand for travel during this year's Tet holiday.

Advantages of a "megacity" tourism space

According to experts, 2026 marks a significant milestone as Ho Chi Minh City affirms its position as a "megacity" after the consolidation process, transforming itself into a key economic, cultural, and tourism center of the region. The city has the advantage of attracting large groups of tourists. Besides its urban tourism space, Ho Chi Minh City currently possesses areas for industrial park investment, high-end beach and resort tourism… In this new space, the city can fully accommodate large groups of tourists, and one of the key goals of the tourism industry this year is MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).

Recently, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism organized a ceremony to welcome the first group of tourists to Ho Chi Minh City in early 2026. This was both an annual welcoming event and a commitment to being a "safe, friendly, and attractive" destination. Through this, the city's tourism industry aims to fully convey the spirit of "openness, youthfulness, vibrancy, enthusiasm, and a forward-looking perspective" to international friends, creating momentum to boost domestic and international tourism growth from the very beginning of the year.

Statistics show that during the 2026 New Year holiday, Ho Chi Minh City's tourism revenue reached VND 2,632 billion. The number of visitors to tourist areas and attractions reached 1,240,000; international visitors reached 75,726; and hotel occupancy reached approximately 75%. In addition, revenue from food, shopping, and entertainment activities increased significantly, contributing to a favorable start for tourism in 2026. These positive signs motivate businesses to prepare and be ready to serve during the 2026 Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse); and allow Ho Chi Minh City's tourism industry to strive for high revenue.

Regarding the plan for the Lunar New Year (Tet) celebration in 2026, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, said that, as in previous years, the department will continue to implement previous programs. However, with a new space and a new status, Ho Chi Minh City will develop higher quality and more distinctive programs. Programs spearheaded by the City's Department of Tourism will have fixed dates so that not only domestic but also international tourists are aware of and participate in the city's activities during the annual Lunar New Year.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism organizes tourist information booths, providing visitors with publications introducing unique inner-city tours and routes, "Culinary Passports," and souvenir gifts. The Department also promotes tourism by displaying souvenir products that reflect Vietnamese cultural values; and providing information on promotional programs and discount vouchers from airlines and partner businesses.

Ho Chi Minh City's tourism industry hopes to collaborate with the travel business community to welcome visitors, especially international tourists, with friendliness and a memorable experience; contributing to making the city a top favorite destination and a vibrant, unmissable journey for all tourists in 2026.

Source: https://saigontraveltour.com/sai-gon-travel-blog/megacity-hcmc-targets-horse-year-visitors/

Cruise ships flood Quang Ninh peak season

Halong cruise tours - Quang Ninh is entering the peak season for cruise tourism. With proactive efforts in connecting with partners and a synchronized transportation infrastructure, this year's cruise tourism season in Quang Ninh is receiving positive signals as a series of new luxury cruise ships arrive at the port.

In early February, Quang Ninh welcomed several new luxury cruise ships bringing high-end tourists for sightseeing and experiences. Notably, on February 6th, the luxury cruise ship Luminara docked at Ha Long International Cruise Port, carrying nearly 600 passengers and crew. Tourists from the Luminara visited famous Quang Ninh destinations such as Ha Long Bay, the Provincial Museum, and Ha Long Market; experiencing and exploring local culture and cuisine. Ha Long International Cruise Port is expected to welcome eight Luminara cruises this year.

Representatives of the cruise liner highly appreciated Quang Ninh's comprehensive and well-developed transportation and tourism infrastructure, along with its diverse experiences that meet all the needs of tourists. The active coordination of Quang Ninh province and relevant units in ensuring all conditions for welcoming the ships created a positive impression on tourists. This serves as a foundation for the shipping company to strengthen connections and bring more cruise ships to Quang Ninh in the future.

According to the Ha Long International Cruise Port, the arrival of the super cruise ship Luminara at the port not only increases the diversity of international cruise ship passengers visiting Quang Ninh, but also affirms the capacity of Ha Long International Cruise Port in welcoming high-end cruise ships in the ultra-luxury tourism segment.

Previously, the AIDAdiva cruise ship also made its first visit to Quang Ninh, carrying approximately 2,000 passengers, mostly German (98%) and other European nationalities. The AIDAdiva belongs to AIDA Cruises, a leading German cruise line known for its modern, friendly fleet and distinctive kissing-lips design on the bow. Ha Long International Cruise Port had previously welcomed two AIDA Cruises ships: AIDAbella and AIDAvita (now renamed Blue Dream Melody).

Towards the end of 2025, Ha Long International Cruise Port was bustling with international cruise ships. Notably, for three consecutive years (2023-2025), the Celebrity Solstice cruise ship chose to dock here at the sacred moment of transition between the old and new year. It is known that 2025 was a "bumper year" for cruise tourism in Quang Ninh, with Ha Long International Cruise Port welcoming nearly 70 international cruise ships, carrying over 97,000 tourists.

Continuing the growth momentum during the peak cruise season of 2025-2026, from February 17th to 25th (the 1st to 9th day of the Lunar New Year), Ha Long International Cruise Port welcomed 6 luxury cruise ships carrying thousands of tourists from Europe and Hong Kong (China). This further affirms Quang Ninh's position as an attractive destination on the world cruise tourism map.

Recognizing cruise tourism as a key development direction, Quang Ninh has focused on innovating its products and services to suit high-spending tourists. Short-day tours, such as Ha Long City tours, visits to the Provincial Museum and Library, experiences of local cuisine, and cultural and spiritual sites, are designed with flexibility. The province is also promoting linkages between destinations such as Tuan Chau, Van Don, and 5-star resorts to form a chain of comprehensive, multi-layered experiential packages.

With two World Heritage sites, Ha Long Bay and Yen Tu, travel agencies are developing tour routes connecting the two sites, while also introducing them to cruise lines to maximize access to the tourist market. Owning two World Heritage sites is a huge advantage for Quang Ninh in attracting international tourists. With just one destination, visitors can experience two heritage sites simultaneously. Therefore, the company has proactively developed tour itineraries to suit the needs of tourists, combining and maximizing the tourism products of these two sites. Saigontourist is researching and developing a plan to develop Bai Tu Long Bay tours combined with unique tourism products of Van Don to offer new, high-class options for luxury cruise passengers.

It is clear that investing in synchronized port infrastructure and standardizing professional reception procedures are key factors in making Quang Ninh an attractive "anchoring point" on international shipping routes. This will help realize the goal of attracting 22 million tourists in 2026, including approximately 5.2 million international visitors; and generating at least 65,000 billion VND in tourism revenue.

Source: https://halong-tour.com/travelnews/cruise-liners-bring-high-end-travelers-to-quang-ninh.php

From ancient pagodas to hero temples Hung Yen beckons spiritual travelers

Private Vietnam Tour - With over 3,700 historical sites and thousands of festivals, Hung Yen is asserting its position as a leading cultural and spiritual destination, transforming its heritage into a driving force for sustainable growth.

Hung Yen, a region located in the heart of the Red River Delta, is becoming a focal point for cultural and spiritual tourism in Northern Vietnam. Benefiting from its proximity to Hanoi and a high density of historical sites, the province attracts visitors not only with its ancient structures but also with its rich cultural heritage preserved over centuries.

Chuong Pagoda: "The most famous scenic spot in Pho Hien"

The first unmissable stop on a spring trip to Hung Yen is Chuong Pagoda. Dubbed the most beautiful pagoda in the Pho Hien area, it boasts a unique "inner courtyard, outer enclosure" architecture and a harmonious "four waters converging" layout. The entire grounds, from the main gate to the Mother Goddess house, exude a serene and ancient atmosphere.

The history of Chuong Pagoda is intertwined with the legend of a golden bell that drifted ashore on a wooden raft in Nhan Duc village during a great flood. Local people worked together to retrieve the bell and build a pagoda to worship it. To this day, Chuong Pagoda is an important link in the Pho Hien Special National Monument complex.

A Sao Temple and the legend of loyalty and righteousness

Located about 50km from Chuong Pagoda, A Sao Temple (A Sao commune) is a place of worship for National Hero Tran Quoc Tuan (Hung Dao Dai Vuong) and his two famous generals Yet Kieu and Da Tuong. This area also preserves a touching story about the war elephants of Saint Tran in the Battle of Bach Dang River in 1288.

When the war elephants became bogged down on the banks of the Hoa River, despite the soldiers' efforts to rescue them, they were unsuccessful. Hung Dao Dai Vuong, with tears in his eyes, had to leave the sacred elephants behind to continue his march. Before departing, he pointed his sword to the river and swore to defeat the Mongol invaders. Today, the A Sao Temple is not only a place of spiritual worship but also a significant site for educating the younger generation about traditions through festivals, calligraphy demonstrations, and folk competitions.

The vitality of a vast heritage system

Hung Yen currently boasts an impressive 3,716 historical sites, including 6 special national historical site clusters, 284 national-level historical sites, and 10 national treasures. In addition, there are over 1,100 traditional festivals and 257 craft villages, creating a diverse tourism ecosystem ranging from spiritual and craft-related experiences to riverine adventures.

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Hung Yen province, the cultural and spiritual tourism remains the core product of the locality. However, the province is promoting the diversification of other products such as community tourism, eco-tourism, and river tourism to enhance the experience for tourists.

Recognizing culture as a driving force for economic development, Hung Yen province has invested heavily in the preservation of historical relics. During the period 2021-2025, the province allocated 1,158 billion VND to restore 210 relics. Notably, the budget of the former Thai Binh province also contributed over 88.5 billion VND to the restoration of many communal houses and temples in the relevant area.

According to the People's Committee of Hung Yen province, cultural industries linked with spiritual tourism will be a new growth driver for the province from 2026. With its location bordering Hanoi and modern urban areas, Hung Yen aims to connect cultural values into a chain of products, transforming tourist traffic into revenue, creating sustainable economic momentum for the locality.

Source: https://privatevietnamtour.com/travel-news/travel-news/hung-yen-emerges-as-northern-vietnam-cultural-tourism-hub.php

Protecting Lan Ha Bay through collective action

Cruise Lan Ha Bay - In the Ha Long - Lan Ha Bay complex, alongside support from the local government, those who are directly benefiting from this natural beauty have taken the lead in taking action through the movement to collect garbage and protect the environment.

Since 2023, several foreign news sites and magazines have conducted online surveys and included the Ha Long - Lan Ha Bay complex in the "No list" due to warnings about indiscriminate littering causing environmental pollution in the bay.

This has somewhat reduced the number of foreign tourists visiting Hai Phong and Quang Ninh. Meanwhile, Typhoon Yagi in 2024 caused quite serious environmental consequences in these two bays.

Despite this, both localities, from the government apparatus, businesses and people... have made great efforts in collecting and processing waste to restore the landscape and tourism environment.

In recent days, what makes Lan Ha Bay special and unique is the strong environmental awareness of local tourism businesses.

An owner of a cruise ship business in Lan Ha Bay, said: "We understand that Lan Ha Bay is our livelihood. If we don't protect it ourselves, no one else can. Initially, it was just small-scale activities by individual boats and businesses, but gradually, it has become a general movement".

The voluntary garbage collection movement by businesses takes place regularly, usually in the early morning or late afternoon. Businesses, from large travel companies to individual business owners, all encourage their employees to participate.

They use small boats or kayaks to access difficult-to-reach areas, secluded beaches, rocky crevices within the heritage site, and even dive to the seabed to collect waste, especially plastic waste. After collection, the waste is consolidated and transferred to specialized garbage trucks of the Bay Management Board.

Mr. Nguyen Cong, an employee of a cruise on Lan Ha Bay, said: "Many tourists are surprised to see us doing this. They often express admiration and some even volunteer to join us. This shows that our work not only cleans the bay but also spreads the message of environmental protection to tourists".

Thanks to this movement, the amount of waste in Lan Ha Bay has decreased significantly, especially plastic waste, making it cleaner and more beautiful, attracting more environmentally conscious tourists. This not only enhances Lan Ha Bay's tourism image but also contributes to the preservation of its precious marine ecosystem.

"We not only collect trash but also actively educate tourists about not littering," shared Mr. Le Van Thao, a representative of a local tourism association. "Right on the tourist boats, we organize a professional waste sorting process that clearly distinguishes between organic and inorganic waste. In addition, we install air conditioning and disinfection systems that meet standards to prevent environmental damage before transferring the trash to the mainland for processing".

Thao believes that, "with the joint efforts of the business community and support from the government, Lan Ha Bay will forever retain its pristine beauty".

It can be said that the voluntary garbage collection movement in Lan Ha Bay is a prime example of the proactive and responsible approach of the business community and local people in protecting tourism resources.

This is not only an act of environmental cleanup but also a testament to a philosophy of sustainable development, where natural beauty and human consciousness blend together, creating a Lan Ha Bay that is not only beautiful but also leaves a lasting impression on foreign tourists.

Source: https://cruiselanhabay.com/news/community-efforts-restore-beauty-of-lan-ha-bay/

Ninh Binh's top attractions open during Tet holiday

Vietnam Travel - The Ninh Binh Department of Tourism has announced the operating schedule of tourist areas and attractions in the province during the Lunar New Year 2026, in which some places will temporarily stop receiving visitors on the last day of the year and the first day of the Lunar New Year...

On February 12th, the Ninh Binh Department of Tourism announced the operational plan for tourist areas, attractions, and services in the province during the 2026 Lunar New Year holiday, aiming to facilitate residents and tourists in proactively planning their sightseeing itineraries.

Accordingly, many tourist areas will be closed for two days, February 16-17 (the 29th day of the 12th lunar month and the 1st day of the Lunar New Year ). Specifically, these include: Trang An tourist area, Van Long lagoon, Tuyet Tinh Coc, and Ngam Mountain ecological tourist area.

The Tam Coc - Bich Dong tourist area has adjusted its visitor hours to be more flexible. On February 16th (the 29th day of the 12th lunar month), the area will be closed from 7 AM to 11 AM. On February 17th (the 1st day of Tet), it will be closed from 1 PM to 5 PM. Outside of these hours, Tam Coc - Bich Dong will continue to serve tourists as usual.

Other tourist areas and attractions in the region will remain open throughout the Tet holiday to serve the needs of locals and tourists. These include: Bai Dinh tourist area , Thung Ui, Tam Chuc, Thung Nham bird garden, Mua cave, Hoa Lu ancient capital, Hoa Lu old town, Cuc Phuong National Park and Xuan Thuy National Park.

Following the merger of Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, and Ninh Binh provinces, Ninh Binh has become one of the regions with the highest density of historical sites and scenic spots in the country. According to statistics, the province currently has 5,071 inventoried historical sites; including 10 sites classified as special national-level sites, 264 sites classified as national-level sites, and 832 sites classified as provincial-level sites.

According to the Ninh Binh Department of Tourism, 2025 saw a strong breakthrough in the local tourism industry. The province welcomed 19.42 million visitors, including over 2.2 million international tourists. Total tourism revenue reached 21,278 billion VND, demonstrating the increasing attractiveness of this destination on the domestic and international tourism map.

Source: https://vietnamspirittravel.com/travel-news/visitor-guidelines-for-ninh-binh-attractions-during-tet.asp

Thanh Hoa beckons travelers to its cultural treasures

Cheap Vietnam Tour - Exploring spiritual tourism routes from the sacred site of Am Tien to the Lam Kinh Palace and the ancient Ho Dynasty Citadel... is a journey chosen by many people to visit and pray for peace during the Lunar New Year.

Over the years, Thanh Hoa province has identified spiritual tourism as its strength to attract tourists throughout all four seasons. The province has focused on investing in and restoring historical sites to be clean and beautiful, contributing to enhancing their value and creating attractive cultural and historical destinations.

Many activities are organized to highlight the development of spiritual tourism, such as cultural events, traditional festivals combined with arts and folk games... This enriches and elevates tourism products and increases their attractiveness to tourists.

Community-based ecotourism in Pu Luong and its highland villages is a popular choice for international tourists.

In Thanh Hoa province, from the mountainous regions to the midlands, plains, and coastal areas, there are numerous major spring festivals associated with famous historical sites and scenic spots. After the Lunar New Year , a series of cultural and tourism events take place, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the joyful and vibrant atmosphere of the festival season.

With a route exploring the western region from the Pu Luong community-based ecotourism area and highland villages, this journey offers a vibrant cultural experience of the Thai and Muong ethnic groups, especially during the Lunar New Year season, and is a popular choice for international tourists.

Descending from the mountains, this route takes visitors through attractive destinations such as Cam Luong Fish Stream, Ho Dynasty Citadel Cultural Heritage Site, Lam Kinh Historical Site, Am Tien National Historical Monument Complex... This route is preferred by many tourists due to its long-standing cultural and historical value, along with a convenient transportation system that easily connects these destinations.

The Lam Kinh National Special Historical Site, with its beautiful natural scenery, has become an ideal destination in early spring. Having weathered many historical ups and downs, after restoration, the site boasts not only tombs and temples honoring the ancestors of the Le dynasty, but also lush green landscapes and harmonious architecture, attracting visitors from far and wide to pay their respects.

At the Phu Na historical and scenic site, which usually welcomes a large number of visitors offering incense during Tet (Lunar New Year), preparations are underway with a focus on preserving cultural beauty and religious civility. The Phu Na Historical Site Management Board has issued a plan for organizing the 2026 festival, deploying inspection teams to monitor service activities, security, and folk games to ensure safety. Regarding traffic flow management, the Management Board is deploying personnel to provide guidance in an orderly manner, helping people perform rituals in an orderly manner and avoiding crowding and pushing during peak periods.

In the journey of "going to the mountains and down to the sea", the complex of historical relics including the Doc Cuoc Temple, Co Tien Temple, and To Hien Thanh Temple (Sam Son ward) is an unmissable destination. Preparations for welcoming visitors are focused on building an image of a civilized and friendly tourist city. The creation of a cultural environment is implemented harmoniously, balancing spiritual elements with urban order, highlighting the value of the relics associated with the unique coastal landscape.

In addition, the Management Board of Ho Citadel Heritage Site and other key relics such as Nua Mountain - Nua Temple - Am Tien are also making efforts to beautify the landscape and arrange the space in a way that is appropriate to its sacred nature. The installation of signs promoting civilized behavior is being implemented synchronously at sites such as Lam Kinh, Ho Citadel, Ba Trieu Temple... aiming to raise awareness among tourists and build a safe and sustainable tourism environment.

To ensure the best service for tourists, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Thanh Hoa province requests that localities proactively review and prepare the necessary conditions, organize festivals in accordance with the law and respect traditional customs, and fully meet the cultural and religious needs of the people.

Source: https://cheapvietnamtour.com/news/exploring-sacred-sites-and-spring-festivals-in-thanh-hoa.php