Destination

The northern province of Ninh Binh has been nominated for the title of Asia's Leading Emerging Tourism Destination at the World Travel Awards (WTA) 2026, underscoring its growing international profile and recognition for sustainable tourism development, according to the provincial Department of Tourism.

Viet Nam welcomed 13.9 million international visitors in the first seven months of 2026, up 13.8% year-on-year, achieving about 56% of this year's target of 25 million foreign arrivals, reported the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance.

Southeast Asia has long been regarded as a destination for budget-conscious mass tourism. However, according to Fortune magazine, international experts believe that Viet Nam is shifting towards a higher-value tourism model, targeting visitors with greater spending power and longer stays.

On the afternoon of July 28, the People's Committee of Thuc Phan Ward, Cao Bang Province, held a press briefing to announce a series of cultural and sporting activities celebrating the 81st anniversary of National Day (September 2, 1945 – September 2, 2026), which will take place from August 28 to September 1.

According to the Tourism Information Centre under the Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism, Phu Quoc has just been honoured by the prestigious online travel platform Expedia in its 2026 Island Hot List. The island is recognised as a premier destination for affordable luxury.

The Kho Gia Gia festival holds profound spiritual meaning for the Ha Nhi ethnic community. It is a time to honour the deities who safeguard the village, and to pray for favourable weather, abundant harvests, and a peaceful life.

An increasing number of local authorities and tourism businesses are engaging international partners to experience Viet Nam first-hand, immersing themselves in local culture, and forging meaningful connections. These familiarisation trips, or famtrips, are rapidly emerging as a “golden bridge”, drawing Viet Nam closer to high-spending international travellers.

The central city of Hue has been recognised by online travel platform Agoda as one of Asia's most distinctive destinations for traditional cuisine, with its royal culinary heritage continuing to attract travellers seeking authentic cultural experiences.

The Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism has announced that Ha Noi has once again made its mark by ranking second among the world's top 10 cities with the friendliest customer service, according to a ranking published by the United Kingdom's commerce and financial platform MoneySuperMarket.

In the final days of July, the vibrant Enjoy Da Nang Festival 2026 is offering residents and visitors a series of distinctive cultural and tourism activities, helping bring the city’s message of “Feel–Discover–Experience” to life.

Amid the vibrant atmosphere of the summer season, Da Nang officially opened the 'Enjoy Da Nang Festival 2026', on the evening of July 23.

The International Folk Song and Dance Festival 2026 will take place in Dien Bien Province from August 28 to September 2, bringing together artists and visitors from Viet Nam and abroad in a celebration of cultural diversity, peace and international exchange.

Phu Quoc has secured a spot in Expedia's Island Hot List 2026, ranking among the world's top 10 island destinations for the year, according to the global online travel platform.

Tran Minh Khoa, Chairman of the People's Committee of the Phu Quoc Special Administrative Zone in An Giang Province, has pledged that the locality will do everything possible to prevent a recurrence of the recent tourist speedboat capsizing and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring that Phu Quoc remains a safe, welcoming, and responsible destination for international visitors.

A project to develop the Hue–Phong Nha tourist train is being finalised, with authorities targeting the launch of the heritage rail service on September 1.

More than 2.72 million tourists visited the central city of Da Nang during the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2026, up nearly 45% from DIFF 2025, according to the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The northern province of Quang Ninh is pitching itself as a prime destination for Russian tourists while seeking broader cooperation in tourism, services and logistics, heard a tourism promotion event recently held in Moscow, Russia.

Ca Mau Province will host its first Heritage Culture Day and Hot Air Balloon Festival from August 28 to September 1, 2026. Under the theme "Where cultural identities converge at the southernmost tip of the nation", the large-scale cultural and tourism event is expected to offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience both Viet Nam's rich cultural heritage and spectacular hot air balloon displays.

Viet Nam is seeking to position itself as a new destination for Halal tourism, with the launch of the Viet Nam Halal Tourism Conference 2026 in Nha Trang on July 8.

Viet Nam’s coastline is once again in the international spotlight after travel guide Lonely Planet named 10 beaches that international visitors should not miss during a summer trip to the country.