International visitors flocked to the area to kick off the year, promising a breakthrough year for tourism.

In the atmosphere of the early days of Spring 2026 (Year of the Horse), many localities across the country organized welcoming ceremonies for international delegations, promising a year of tourism growth.

This activity not only symbolizes a positive start towards the 2026 growth target, but also demonstrates the increasing attractiveness of Vietnam as a destination in the international market.

Specifically, on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year (February 17th), at Ha Long International Cruise Port, Quang Ninh province held a ceremony to welcome two international cruise ships, Seabourn Encore and Piano Land, carrying nearly 2,400 tourists from Europe and Hong Kong (China). These were the first international visitors to "inaugurate" Quang Ninh in the new year of the Horse.

The welcoming ceremonies for the ship were organized in a formal manner, featuring traditional art performances, the presentation of flowers and souvenirs to tourists, showcasing the hospitality and professionalism of the destination.

The first visitors to arrive in Ha Long. (Photo: Quang Ninh Newspaper)

"During the Lunar New Year holiday of the Year of the Horse (from the 29th of the 12th lunar month to the 9th day of the 1st lunar month), Quang Ninh is expected to welcome 6 international cruise ships with thousands of passengers, creating a vibrant atmosphere right from the beginning of the year," the National Tourism Administration stated.

In Da Nang , on the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse), the city held a ceremony to welcome the first international group of visitors at Da Nang International Airport. During this year's Lunar New Year holiday, Da Nang welcomed over 1,500 flights, including many international flights from key markets such as Thailand, South Korea, and Southeast Asia.

Passengers on the first international flight to Da Nang on the first day of the Lunar New Year were welcomed with traditional ceremonies, receiving flowers, lucky money, and participating in cultural activities such as lion dance and bamboo pole dancing. This contributed to creating a positive impression of Da Nang as a friendly, safe, and culturally rich destination.

During the Lunar New Year holiday, Phu Quoc recorded a significant increase in international visitors, with a record number of international flights compared to the same period last year (50 international flights on February 14th). Phu Quoc Island entered its peak tourist season during Tet with a strong increase in international flights, bringing tourists from many markets to visit and relax.

Besides relaxing, many international tourists also participate in experiencing the atmosphere of the traditional Vietnamese Lunar New Year, such as practicing calligraphy, wearing ao dai (traditional Vietnamese dress) for photos, enjoying traditional cuisine, and attending art performances.

Positive signals for the 2026 growth target.

At Bai Dinh Pagoda and Tam Chuc Pagoda (Ninh Binh), from early morning on the 17th and 18th (the 1st and 2nd days of Tet), a large number of domestic and international tourists came to worship, admire the scenery, and pray for peace and good fortune at the beginning of the new year.

Besides domestic tourists, many international groups from India, the UK, France, and other countries chose Ninh Binh as their first destination of the year. Representatives from the tourism industry and tourist areas presented flowers, lucky money, and New Year's wishes to these first visitors of the year.

The first groups of tourists arriving at Thung Nham Eco-tourism Area receive lucky money and New Year's greetings. (Photo: Ninh Binh Department of Tourism).

On this occasion, Ninh Binh officially launched the new Thung Ui tourist destination, contributing to expanding the experiential space within the Trang An complex and reducing congestion at other crowded tourist spots. Thung Ui is oriented towards developing a cultural and spiritual tourism model combined with "slow" relaxation, recreating the historical values ​​of the Dinh Dynasty and the cultural identity of the Muong people amidst pristine natural landscapes.

Besides, many other tourist areas and attractions in Ninh Binh also welcomed a large number of visitors, such as Mua Cave, Thung Nham ecological tourist area, Tran Temple, etc. Tourists participated in spring activities, offered incense, took photos, and experienced local cuisine in a lively and joyful atmosphere.

Mr. Bui Van Manh, Director of the Ninh Binh Provincial Department of Tourism, said that the New Year's welcoming activities are an annual program aimed at sending the message that Ninh Binh is a safe, friendly, and attractive destination. On the very first day of the year, the number of visitors increased significantly, especially international tourists from India and European countries.

In 2025, Ninh Binh is expected to welcome approximately 4.4 million overnight visitors. Looking ahead to 2026, the province aims for a growth rate of around 20%, focusing on extending the length of stay and increasing tourist spending through the development of new products and services, with a view to sustainable growth.

The tourism industry forecasts that the number of visitors to Ninh Binh will continue to increase in the coming days, raising expectations of achieving the target of welcoming more than 20 million visitors, including about 3 million international visitors, in 2026.

According to the National Tourism Administration, the fact that many localities organized celebrations to welcome international tourists in the early days of the Lunar New Year 2026 shows the attractiveness of the destination and the strengthening confidence of the international market in Vietnamese tourism.

The tradition of welcoming guests at the beginning of the year not only has cultural significance but also contributes to promoting the image of Vietnam and its people as friendly, hospitable, and rich in cultural identity.

"In January 2026, the number of international visitors to Vietnam reached a record high, nearly 2.5 million for the first time. These positive signs, continuing into the Lunar New Year of the Horse, provide a basis for expecting a strong year of development for Vietnamese tourism, striving to achieve the target of welcoming 25 million international visitors this year," the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism confidently stated.

PHAM DUY

Source: https://vtcnews.vn/khach-quoc-te-ron-rang-xong-dat-du-lich-hua-hen-mot-nam-but-pha-ar1003566.html