Vietnamese destinations and tourism businesses are introducing new products and activities to meet strong demand during the 2026 National Day holiday. The focus has shifted toward cultural, heritage, culinary, and community-based experiences, expanding beyond traditional sightseeing and resort stays. According to the Traveloka SEA Index released on August 11, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Con Dao, and Phu Quoc were the five most booked destinations by Vietnamese travelers in Q2 2026 and for the upcoming holiday period.
Major Cultural Events Scheduled for the National Day Holiday
Several cultural and artistic events are planned nationwide between late August and early September. In Da Nang, the “Hoi An Memories”
show will feature its “Flag Hat” version from August 26 to September 2. Phu Quoc will host “The Memory of Flowers” exhibition during this timeframe. Thanh Hoa is preparing for the Sam Son Kite Festival 2026 running from August 30 to September 1. Meanwhile, Moc Chau Culture and Tourism Week 2026, scheduled from August 27 to September 5, will present various cultural, artistic, and community activities. These events coincide with Vietnam’s 81st anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, spurring increased interest in heritage and revolutionary-themed tourism offerings.
Visitor Numbers and Economic Performance in Early 2026
Hanoi reported 18.01 million visitors in the first half of 2026,
a 15.7% increase compared to the same period in 2025. International arrivals in the capital rose 26.8%, while tourism revenue grew by 19.1%. The city welcomed its five-millionth international visitor of 2026 on July 7. At the national level, Vietnam recorded nearly 12.3 million international arrivals in the first six months of the year, representing a 14.9% year-over-year rise. These figures underpin optimistic expectations for the National Day holiday and year-end tourism growth throughout the country.
Regulatory Guidance and Safety Measures for the Holiday Period
The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism has ordered localities to ensure suitable visitor conditions, security, and high service quality during the National Day holiday
and subsequent months. Authorities are collaborating with police, health, and transport sectors to maintain public order, traffic safety, fire prevention, and preparedness for natural disasters. Visitor flows at prominent sites will be managed to avoid overcrowding. Tourism providers must improve food safety, fire prevention, environmental protection, and service standards. Strict enforcement against violations and transparent pricing are mandated, requiring clear display of room rates, service charges, promotions, refund, and cancellation policies alongside delivery of advertised standards.
Traveler Advisories and Destination Preparations
Tourists are cautioned against self-organized tours promoted by individuals, key opinion leaders (KOLs), and key opinion consumers (KOCs) that lack official licensing. Travelers are
encouraged to select offerings from licensed travel companies and obtain travel insurance for protection. Ninh Binh province, home to over 70 tourism sites and about 1,500 accommodation establishments offering roughly 23,000 rooms, has enhanced staff levels, supplies, signage, and environmental sanitation ahead of the holiday. Other major destinations including Hanoi, Sa Pa, Quang Ninh, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc also report improvements in infrastructure, updated products, and strengthened security and sanitation measures to accommodate peak tourism levels.
National Tourism Targets and Recent Sector Growth
Vietnam aims to receive 25 million international visitors and attract 150 million domestic tourists in 2026. The sector targets generating approximately 1.125 quadrillion
VND (about 43 billion USD) in tourism revenue this year. Early 2026 performance, with a 14.9% increase in international arrivals, signals robust momentum toward these goals. The ongoing National Day holiday period is viewed as a critical opportunity to sustain this growth trend through year-end.
