Tourism in Dong Thap province flourishes during Tet holiday.

In the early days of the Lunar New Year 2026 (Year of the Horse), Dong Thap province's tourism sector recorded positive signs, attracting a large number of domestic and international tourists. This result stems from efforts in promotion, infrastructure improvement, investment attraction, and the development of unique tourism products, contributing to a breakthrough on the tourism map of the Mekong Delta.

Rose field tourist area in Sa Dec (Dong Thap). Photo: Nguyen Van Tri/TTXVN

Community tourism and agricultural tourism are thriving.

According to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dong Thap province, during the 7-day Tet holiday (from the 27th day of the 12th lunar month of the Year of the Snake to the 4th day of the 1st lunar month of the Year of the Horse), Dong Thap province welcomed and served 422,500 tourists, an increase of 10% compared to the same period last year; including 22,500 international tourists, an increase of 16% compared to the same period last year; total tourism revenue reached 170 billion VND, an increase of 16% compared to the same period last year. The average occupancy rate of accommodation reached 75% - 80%.

To achieve these results, the tourism industry in Dong Thap province has implemented fundamental solutions, focusing on attracting investors, including strategic investors, to create leading tourist destinations and areas that serve as a foundation for developing community tourism, especially agricultural tourism, which acts as a satellite connecting with key tourist areas and tourism centers. Notably, agricultural and rural tourism is developing strongly with dozens of tourist destinations across key areas in the province.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong, Director of Viet Nhat Tourism Co., Ltd. in My Tho Ward, Dong Thap Province, said that in the first days of the Lunar New Year 2026 (Year of the Horse), the number of tourists booking tours with the company to visit Dong Thap increased sharply compared to normal days. In particular, the number of international and domestic tourists visiting Dong Thap increased.

In the Lac Hong Park and 30/4 Street area, vibrant cultural activities with a strong sense of community, such as the "Golden Bell Ringing" competition and the "Tet Miniature Landscape Decoration" competition, attract a large number of locals and tourists. The Bach Cong Tu House historical site, with its traditional Tet atmosphere, folk games, and elaborately decorated miniature landscapes, allows visitors to rediscover the traditional Tet atmosphere of the nation.

In Cao Lanh ward, Dong Thap province, the art program celebrating the Party and the Lunar New Year 2026, themed "Spring Colors Offered to the Party - Cao Lanh Rises Up," included a fireworks display and many cultural, sports, and tourism activities such as: the "Youth Dance" competition, folk games, a lantern festival and acoustic performances, a comprehensive New Year's art program, the "Colors of Youth" cultural program, a folk dance and sports festival, chess, lion and dragon dances… attracting approximately 20,000 participants and spectators.

Cao Lanh Book Street and the Spring Cultural Space (calligraphy, tea ceremony, betel nut chewing, statue painting, painting, art exhibition in the grounds of Van Thanh Temple…) attract an average of about 1,000 visitors each day, especially young people, who come to visit and experience them.

Community-based tourism destinations in Cao Lanh ward are expected to welcome approximately 11,000 visitors during the 2026 Lunar New Year, generating revenue of over 1.6 billion VND. The National Historical Site of the Tomb and Temple of Mr. and Mrs. Do Cong Tuong alone is expected to receive around 100,000 visitors for incense offerings and worship.

In Thoi Son ward, Dong Thap province, tourism activities on Thoi Son islet are thriving, attracting a large number of tourists from both within and outside the province. These activities have attracted over 13,000 visitors, including nearly 7,000 international tourists, generating revenue of over 3.7 billion VND.

Mr. Nguyen Van Thanh Son, owner of Ky Lan Honey Tea Shop (Thoi Son Ward), shared: "The number of visitors to the tourist spot in the first days of the Lunar New Year 2026 increased significantly compared to normal days. On average, the shop welcomes 400-500 visitors each day who stop by to drink tea and shop for honey products, specialty fruits, etc."

In addition, tourist destinations in Dong Thap such as Tram Chim National Park (Tram Chim commune), Tan Thanh beach (Go Cong Dong commune), Dong Tam snake farm (Chau Thanh district), Dong Hoa Hiep ancient village (Cai Be commune), Tan Phong islet (Ngu Hiep commune), and Dong Thap Muoi ecological reserve (Tan Phuoc commune) also welcomed thousands of visitors.

Leveraging the strengths of historical and cultural relics.

The roots of two Bodhi trees embrace Tan Dong Temple in Tan Dong commune, Dong Thap province, creating a unique feature that attracts tourists to visit and worship. Photo: Huu Chi/TTXVN

Alongside leveraging the strengths of community-based tourism and agricultural tourism, the tourism industry in Dong Thap province also focuses on exploiting the value of cultural, historical, and ecological relics in the area, attracting a large number of domestic and international tourists to visit and study, contributing to socio-economic growth.

According to statistics, Dong Thap province currently has 295 ranked historical and cultural relics and scenic spots, including: 5 special national relics, 33 national relics, and 257 provincial relics. The traditional festival commemorating Thien Ho Duong and Doc Binh Kieu has recently been included in the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The National Special Historical Site of the Tomb of Deputy Scholar Nguyen Sinh Sac attracted a large number of visitors in the early days of the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, who came to visit and learn about the life and career of the father of President Ho Chi Minh, the beloved father of the nation.

The historical site of the tomb of Deputy Minister Nguyen Sinh Sac, ranked as a special national historical site, not only affirms the historical and cultural value of the site, but also allows Dong Thap to continue nurturing patriotic traditions, cultivating character in the younger generation; developing cultural tourism and spreading the image of Dong Thap - the land of lotus flowers, full of compassion and rich in identity.

In addition, the sites of the Truong Dinh Uprising in the eastern communes and wards of Dong Thap province (which have been classified as special national historical sites) also attract a large number of visitors during the Tet holiday…

These historical and cultural relics and scenic spots create a colorful picture of the land and people of Dong Thap, with its long-standing traditional cultural beauty. Most of the historical and cultural relics in Dong Thap are places of religious and spiritual activity, honoring cultural values, serving as rich sources of information for studying regional and national culture, as well as attractive destinations for tourists.

Mr. Vo Pham Tan, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dong Thap province, assessed that the extended Lunar New Year holiday in 2026 (Year of the Horse) creates favorable conditions for people to proactively arrange time to visit relatives, go on spring excursions, and enjoy sightseeing and entertainment; thereby contributing to stimulating tourism, trade, and services. The long holiday also helps localities and tourism businesses develop and implement diverse programs and products to serve tourists, while enhancing the effectiveness of promoting the image of destinations, boosting revenue growth, and creating a joyful and enthusiastic atmosphere among the people.

The timely promotion and advertising of tourist destinations have contributed to enhancing the image of local tourism. Key tourist areas and attractions, cultural and ecological sites, entertainment venues, and community experience spaces attract a large number of tourists from within and outside the province for sightseeing and relaxation.

"With its rich and diverse potential, natural resources, and long history and culture, Dong Thap province is becoming an attractive destination for tourists. The rational exploitation of tourism potential, combined with visits to historical and cultural sites, will create conditions for the sustainable development of Dong Thap tourism to meet the needs of tourists in the era of integration," said Vo Pham Tan, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Dong Thap province.

Dong Thap province currently has 150 tourist destinations, of which 32 are recognized by the Provincial People's Committee; and 75 businesses meet the standards for serving tourists. Dong Thap continues to implement the pilot model "Developing community tourism associated with promoting Southern folk music and developing OCOP products in Thoi Son commune, My Tho city" and building the tourism program "Journey to the Land of Pink Lotus to visit heritage sites". By 2026, Dong Thap tourism aims to attract 8 million visitors, including 870,000 international visitors, with total tourism revenue reaching 4,800 billion VND.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/du-lich/du-lich-dong-thap-khoi-sac-dip-tet-20260222100008752.htm