Destinations across Vietnam are launching new tourism products and activities while improving services to prepare for the National Day holiday. The Traveloka SEA Index released on August 11, 2026, identifies Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Con Dao, and Phu Quoc as the five most booked Vietnamese destinations for both the second quarter and the upcoming holiday period.
Tourism interest is shifting from conventional sightseeing and beach holidays to include cultural, culinary, artistic, festival and community-based experiences. This trend encourages destinations to extend visitor stays and diversify offerings.
Cultural Events and Heritage Tours for National Day Holiday
Cultural events planned for the holiday include the “Hoi An Memories”
show featuring its “Flag Hat” version in Da Nang from August 26 to September 2, the “Memory of Flowers” exhibition in Phu Quoc, the Sam Son Kite Festival in Thanh Hoa from August 30 to September 1, and Moc Chau Culture and Tourism Week from August 27 to September 5. Vietnam also marks the 81st anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day in 2026, prompting a focus on heritage and “return-to-the-roots” tours across the country.
The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) has called on localities to organize commemorative events and highlighted the development of tours that showcase historical
and cultural values.
Visitor Growth and Milestones in Hanoi
Hanoi welcomed 18.01 million visitors in the first half of 2026, representing a 15.7% increase from the previous year. International arrivals to the capital rose 26.8%, while tourism revenue grew by 19.1% during the same period. Hanoi reached its five-millionth international visitor of 2026 on July 7, underscoring its prominence in Vietnam’s tourism recovery.
Preparations in Ninh Binh and Other Provinces
The northern province of Ninh Binh is enhancing visitor experiences ahead of the holiday by promoting blooming water lilies at Tam Coc-Bich Dong and improving landscapes, sanitation, signage, and staffing at its sites. Ninh Binh has over 70 tourist attractions and approximately 1,500
accommodation establishments with 23,000 rooms, preparing additional personnel and supplies for the peak period.
Other major destinations including Sa Pa, Quang Ninh, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc have upgraded infrastructure, refreshed tourism products, and reinforced security, environmental sanitation, and quality service measures to accommodate rising visitor numbers.
VNAT Directives on Safety, Pricing, and Service Quality
The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism instructed tourism authorities in centrally run cities and provinces to ensure adequate conditions for visitors during the National Day holiday. Coordination efforts with police, health, and transport agencies focus on maintaining public order, traffic safety, fire prevention, and readiness for natural disasters.
Management of visitor flows at
major tourist sites aims to prevent overcrowding and congestion. Tourism service providers are mandated to improve food safety, fire prevention, environmental protection, and overall service quality. Strict penalties will be imposed on violations.
VNAT emphasized transparent pricing obligations for accommodation and tourism businesses, requiring clear displays of room rates, surcharges, promotions, refund and cancellation policies, and the provision of services consistent with advertised standards. Tourists are advised to select tours from licensed companies and obtain travel insurance instead of relying on self-organised programs promoted by individuals or influencers that may lack regulatory compliance.
Year-to-Date Tourism Growth and 2026 Targets
Vietnam recorded nearly 12.3 million international arrivals
in the first half of 2026, a 14.9% increase compared to the same period in 2025. The country is targeting 25 million international visitors and 150 million domestic tourists for the full year. Tourism revenue is projected to reach approximately 1.125 quadrillion VND, equivalent to 43 billion USD.
