Vietnam's tourism industry awakens the "treasures" of its seas and islands.

With less than two weeks until the start of the 2026 summer peak season, Vietnam's coastal and island tourism is showing strong signs of development. Not only relying on existing advantages, many localities have proactively honed their untapped potential and explored new, unique, and experiential tourism products. All these developments are contributing to unlocking the "treasures" of the sea and islands.

When the beaches and islands return to the summer race.

In the first few months of 2026, Vietnam's tourism sector witnessed impressive growth. According to recorded data, in the first quarter of 2026 alone, the number of international visitors to Vietnam reached over 6.7 million, demonstrating the increasing attractiveness of Vietnam as a destination on the world tourism map.

Not only international tourists, but the domestic market is also heating up as the summer travel season approaches. From the end of April, people's demand for travel increases, especially for beach holidays. This is a golden opportunity for localities to take advantage of opportunities, innovate products, and attract tourists.

In this overall picture, coastal and island tourism continues to play a leading role. Familiar names like Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Da Nang , Ha Long, and Sam Son remain top choices for tourists thanks to their beautiful scenery, developed infrastructure, and increasingly improved services. However, it is noteworthy that, in addition to established "brands," many localities are striving to bring new destinations to the spotlight.

Thanh Hoa is a prime example. Not content with just the well-known Sam Son, the province is actively developing the Nghi Son - Tinh Gia coastal area. Beaches like Hai Hoa and Bai Dong are considered "rough gems" with their pristine beauty, clear blue waters, and tranquil atmosphere. Recognizing this great potential, the province has gradually invested in and developed tourism products, ranging from resorts and beach activities to recreational and experiential programs.

Developing new destinations not only helps alleviate congestion in crowded tourist areas but also opens up opportunities for visitors to explore new and unique spaces that are closer to nature. More importantly, it's a way to "polish" untapped resources, transforming new locations into drivers of local economic development.

Simultaneously, many other provinces and cities are also accelerating the renewal of products and improving the quality of services in preparation for the vibrant summer tourist season. This proactive approach shows that Vietnam's coastal and island tourism is no longer following the beaten path, but is gradually transforming to adapt to the increasingly high demands of tourists.

Diversify experiences, unlock the "green treasure."

While in the past, beach tourism mainly revolved around relaxation and swimming, the trend has now changed significantly. Today's tourists not only want to "travel for relaxation" but also "travel for experiences." This presents an opportunity for localities to innovate and diversify their beach and island tourism products.

For example, Quang Ninh province is one of the pioneering localities in innovating its tourism model. Not only famous for Ha Long Bay, the province is promoting the development of tourism products that combine coastal and island experiences with agricultural, forest ecological, and local cultural experiences. These models not only offer novel experiences but also contribute to sustainable tourism development. The province has developed many groundbreaking products, including the "2 countries - 1 destination" concept through the Hoanh Mo (Vietnam) - Dong Trung (China) border crossing. Here, tourists can participate in trekking, cloud hunting, and explore the lives of local people.

The trend of combining coastal and island tourism with ecotourism, cultural tourism, and community tourism not only helps extend the length of stay for tourists but also creates higher added value. This is also a suitable direction in the context of sustainable tourism becoming a global trend.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Vu Huu Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Cat Hai Special Economic Zone, Hai Phong City, said that Cat Ba Island possesses a unique and diverse ecosystem, boasting numerous national and international accolades: a National Special Scenic Area and Monument; a World Biosphere Reserve; a National Park; a Marine Protected Area; the Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba Archipelago World Natural Heritage Site; and Lan Ha Bay, a member of the Club of the World's Most Beautiful Bays. In recent times, the Cat Hai Special Economic Zone has also focused on building the "Green Cat Ba" brand.

Furthermore, digital transformation is also becoming a powerful tool for promoting Vietnam's coastal and island tourism. From social media platforms and experiential videos to online booking applications, images of Vietnam's beaches are increasingly being disseminated widely, reaching a larger number of tourists.

It is clear that awakening the "treasures" of Vietnam's islands and seas is not just about exploiting resources, but also about enhancing their value through creativity, conservation, and connectivity. When localities know how to leverage their unique advantages and keep up with new tourism trends, Vietnam's islands and seas can absolutely become a leading destination in the region.

Source: https://baophapluat.vn/du-lich-viet-danh-thuc-kho-bau-bien-dao.html