Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh on January 13 chaired a meeting of the State Steering Committee for Tourism, calling for new policies to remove institutional barriers hindering tourism development in 2026.

In 2025, Viet Nam’s tourism sector focused on implementing key tasks and solutions for tourism development and achieved significant accomplishments, emerging as one of the pillars driving the country’s economic growth.

Thousands of domestic and international tourists flocked to tourist attractions across Viet Nam during the New Year holiday from January 1 to 4.

Viet 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 Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).

Tourist arrivals, both domestic and international, to the northeastern province of Quang Ninh rose sharply during the first three days of the New Year 2026 holiday, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The extended 2026 New Year holiday, coupled with warm weather, proved ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. Making the most of this period, people travelled to destinations with stunning landscapes and rich cultural appeal to relax and explore, helping to energise the tourism market from the very first days of the year.

A new tourism product was launched in Lung Cu commune, Tuyen Quang province, on January 2, offering visitors a horseback trekking experience in Viet Nam’s northernmost area.

Against the broader backdrop of the global tourism recovery, Viet Nam is emerging as a highly promising destination, with the year 2025 marking a period of remarkable growth for the country’s tourism industry.

 Construction of a park golf cluster at the NovaWorld Phan Thiet tourism, resort and entertainment complex in Lam Dong province officially commenced on December 20, marking a new development in efforts to expand the golf–entertainment–tourism ecosystem in Viet Nam in line with international standards.

Amid the festive atmosphere of the 2025 Minsk International Charity Christmas Fair in Belarus ahead of the New Year, the Vietnamese booth has stood out as a popular destination, featuring vivid decorations and showcasing images of Viet Nam’s land, people, tourism and cuisine.

In response to the demand for rapid and sustainable growth in the country’s new development phase, Party committees at all levels promptly issued directives to realise the resolutions of their congresses through action programmes linked with specific projects.

The Ao dai and traditional attire are making a strong return in contemporary life, gradually becoming new cultural tourism elements. From festivals and parades to tours exploring craft villages and museums, this trend enriches tourism products, evokes cultural pride, and contributes to the sustainable development of cultural industries.

The introduction ceremony for “Ha Noi Heritage Tourism Itineraries” was held at Quan Thanh Temple (Ba Dinh ward, Ha Noi) on December 3, officially launching four unique tours for residents of the capital and visitors.

The Tourism Department of Hue city on November 29 evening held a ceremony to welcome passengers on the first charter flight from Shenzhen, China.

An Giang Province now has all the factors of a "miniature Viet Nam", with diverse terrain, culture, and tourism products. The province aims to maximise its advantages to make tourism a key economic sector.

The Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism held a tourism promotion and business-connection programme in Melbourne and Sydney from November 23–29. The event forms part of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s 2025 stimulus campaign to boost outbound tourism promotion.

Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Woo Won Shik and his spouse Shin Kyunghye visited Ninh Binh province on November 22, as part of their three-day official visit to Viet Nam.

Streamlined visa processes and greater flight connectivity will help boost tourism between the UAE and Viet Nam, as the countries strengthen ties after finalising a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) last year, according to travel industry executives.

President of the Senate of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Milos Vystrcil on November 20 met with Czech and Vietnamese enterprises in Ha Noi as part of his official visit to Viet Nam.

On November 18, the Ninh Binh Provincial People’s Committee and the Ninh Binh Department of Tourism, in cooperation with Xuan Truong Construction Enterprise and India Innovation Company, organised the international conference in Ninh Binh Province titled “Ninh Binh - a strategic destination for tourism, cinema and high-end weddings”.