Visitors enjoying the Mũi Né beach, Lâm Đồng Province, during the 2026 New Year holiday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam's tourism sector recorded strong momentum during the New Year 2026 holiday from January 1–4, welcoming an estimated 3.5 million visitors nationwide, according to the Việt Nam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).

Average room occupancy at tourist accommodation facilities reached about 51 per cent nationwide, while several key destinations reported higher rates of around 65 per cent.

Favourable weather throughout the holiday fuelled lively tourism activities across the northern, central and southern regions. Phú Quốc, Đà Lạt, Măng Đen, HCM City, Hà Nội, Đà Nẵng, Nha Trang, Vũng Tàu, and Mũi Né were among the most popular destinations.

HCM City topped the list with approximately 1.24 million visitors, marking a 65 per cent year-on-year increase. International arrivals to the city were estimated at more than 75,700, up 83 per cent. Room occupancy stood at around 75 per cent, and tourism revenue was estimated at VNĐ2.63 trillion (about US$100 million).

The northern province of Ninh Bình, with the 'flagship' destination of Tràng An complex, served over 723,000 visitors, including nearly 178,000 international arrivals, generating an estimated VNĐ795 billion in tourism revenue. Quảng Ninh, known for the UNESCO site Hạ Long Bay, welcomed around 657,000 visitors, including about 70,500 international arrivals and some 218,000 overnight guests, with tourism revenue estimated at VNĐ1.62 trillion.

Tourists – both domestic and international – visit the Temple of Literature in Hà Nội during the new year holiday. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đức

Lâm Đồng Province received about 650,000 visitors, with room occupancy ranging from 70 per cent to 80 per cent and tourism revenue estimated at roughly VNĐ1.2 trillion.

The capital city of Hà Nội welcomed approximately 560,000 visitors, up about 250 per cent year on year. International arrivals to the capital were estimated at around 110,000, a rise of roughly 287 per cent. Room occupancy reached about 73 per cent, while tourism revenue was estimated at around VNĐ2.1 trillion, up 254 per cent compared to the same period last year.

The New Year holiday remains a traditional high season for international travel to Việt Nam. This year, inbound tourism from markets such as China, the Republic of Korea, the US, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore continued to grow, offering positive signals for the sector.

Tourists on a boat tour in Tràng An ecotourism complex, Ninh Bình Province. — VNA/VNS Photo

VNAT noted that the four-day break provided favourable conditions for a strong surge in domestic tourism, allowing travellers to enjoy longer stays and higher spending on services. Domestic tourism continues to serve as the backbone of the market, while international travel shows a more selective pattern, focusing on nearby and short-haul markets. At the same time, demand for personalised travel experiences is increasingly replacing mass-market tours.

Seen as an important run-up to the peak tourism season in early 2026, the New Year holiday results underscore the positive impact of visa facilitation and promotion efforts, helping lay the groundwork for the 2026 targets of welcoming 25 million international arrivals and serving 150 million domestic tourists. — VNA/VNS

Foreign tourists can enjoy the Vietnamese traditional culture right at Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo