Travel

During the holidays of the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day, the 51st anniversary of Liberation of the South and National Reunification, and May Day (from April 25 to 27 and April 30 to May 3), total transport output of the aviation market reached 1.68 million passengers and 27.45 thousand tonnes of cargo, up 2.2% in passenger volume and 7.2% in cargo compared with the same period last year, the Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam reported on May 3.

Ha Noi received an estimated 1.35 million visitors during the holidays, including more than 248,000 international arrivals (around 175,000 with overnight stays) and over 1.1 million domestic travellers. Total tourism revenue was estimated at over 5 trillion VND (189.7 million USD).

According to a report from the Quang Ninh Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, total tourism revenue during the 3-day holiday period of April 30 and May 1 was estimated at 2.51 trillion VND.

A kite festival was held at The Cliff Resort & Residences in Phu Thuy Ward, Lam Dong Province, on May 2, as part of the activities welcoming summer 2026. The event drew large numbers of visitors for sightseeing, photography, and beach activities. The festival took place as part of a series of tourism events marking the April 30 and May 1 holiday.

Quang Ninh welcomed around 600,000 visitors during the two-day Reunification Day and May Day holiday (April 30 – May 1), according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Amid nationwide celebrations marking the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day and May Day, Ha Noi has emerged as a vibrant cultural tableau, where millennia-old heritage meets contemporary art, offering memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike.

The annual Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) has been chosen as one of nine must-experience summer festivals worldwide by Travel + Leisure Asia, joining the list alongside iconic events like the UK's Glastonbury Festival, Spain’s Primavera Sound and Japan's Gion Matsuri.

Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City have been named among the world’s top 100 most attractive cities for walking exploration in 2026, according to a rankings recently released by travel platform GuruWalk.

On the afternoon of April 29, in Sa Pa Ward, Lao Cai province, the O Quy Ho Tea Hill Ecological Urban Area Project (EcoSapa) was officially launched, marking the addition of a large-scale project in the locality’s urban and tourism development orientation.

On April 29, Noi Bai International Airport officially entered the peak service period for the April 30–May 1 holiday, with an estimated 113,000 passengers and 662 flights passing through the airport.

As travel demand surges during the Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1) holidays in 2026, 15 rest areas along the eastern section of the North–South Expressway have been completed and opened to traffic, providing essential services to motorists and helping to enhance road safety and service quality.

The northern province of Phu Tho welcomed nearly 6.5 million visitors during the 2026 Hung Kings Commemoration Day and the Hung Kings Temple Festival, representing a year-on-year 12%, reinforcing its status as one of the leading cultural and spiritual tourism destinations of the country.

The Pho Hien Folk Culture Festival 2026 commenced on April 25 in the northern province of Hung Yen, offering visitors a rich array of traditional rituals, folk performances and community activities.

Perched at nearly 1,800 metres above sea level in the vast north-western highlands, Ngoc Chien Commune in Son La Province has preserved almost intact its natural ecosystem and indigenous culture. Hot mineral springs, tranquil villages, hillsides blanketed in blossoms, and an unhurried pace of life combine to create a truly distinctive landscape.

A total of 26 new caves have been discovered in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Tri following a 2026 survey of caves and tourism resources, according to the park’s management board.

Viet Nam has, for the first time, introduced a national standard for adventure tourism, outlining requirements for hiking and trekking activities, with a strong focus on the safety of participants, group leaders and support staff.

Viet Nam is rapidly emerging as a favourite destination among Australian travellers, with its growing appeal reflected in global travel trends and search data.

From July 1, Viet Nam Airlines will increase the frequency of its Ha Noi-Moscow (Russia) route to meet rising passenger demand. The addition of flights will be implemented flexibly in line with market developments, ensuring air connectivity between Viet Nam and international markets.

Despite positive signals in the first quarter of 2026, rising airfares and intensifying regional competition have pushed the tourism sector into a challenging transitional phase. In this context, the entire industry needs to implement coordinated demand-stimulation measures, adjust its approach to growth targets, and seize emerging opportunities to sustain strong momentum.

In recent times, Viet Nam’s tourism sector has made progress in terms of both revenue and visitor numbers. However, to enhance competitiveness and achieve rapid and sustainable development, the “smokeless industry” still needs to shift strongly from extensive growth to intensive growth based on technology, with the application of artificial intelligence (AI) identified as a key direction for breakthrough development.