Welcoming the first foreign guest.
On January 1st, many airports across the country held events to welcome the first passengers of 2026, including Dien Bien, Vinh (Nghe An), Phu Bai (Hue), Chu Lai, Da Nang , Phu Cat (Gia Lai), Tan Son Nhat and Con Dao (Ho Chi Minh City).
At Tan Son Nhat Airport, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism organized the "Ceremony to Welcome Tourists Arriving in Ho Chi Minh City at the Beginning of 2026" for the new year. This event kicked off a series of activities promoting Ho Chi Minh City as a safe, friendly, and vibrant destination this year. The first two international flights to arrive in the city were Vietnam Airlines flight VN30 from Germany, landing at 6:35 AM, and Qatar Airways flight QR974 from Qatar, landing at 7:15 AM.
The reception area is decorated with a traditional Tet theme, featuring a miniature Ben Thanh Market, apricot blossoms, chrysanthemums, and the words "I Love Vibrant HCMC". Visitors can experience Tet tea, traditional cakes and sweets, calligraphy, and clay figurine making, creating a warm atmosphere upon arriving in the city.
On the same day, Vasco Airlines flight 0V8057, departing from Tan Son Nhat Airport, landed at Con Dao Airport, bringing 72 domestic and international tourists to visit and relax in the Con Dao Special Economic Zone (Ho Chi Minh City) on the first day of the new year 2026.
In the early morning of January 1st, flight W207 from Incheon (South Korea) landed at Phu Quoc airport, bringing the first international visitors from South Korea to Phu Quoc island ( An Giang province)... The first group of visitors received gifts in the form of vouchers for entertainment and recreational activities at Sunset Town, worth up to 1 million VND per person.
On the morning of January 1st, at Lien Khuong Airport, the People's Committee of Lam Dong province organized a welcoming ceremony for the first 250 tourists to arrive in the locality on flight VN6172 from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Lat.
At Dien Bien Phu Airport, Vietnam Airlines domestic flight VN1804, departing from Noi Bai International Airport, landed at 3:15 PM, carrying approximately 200 passengers, marking the first flight bringing tourists to the historical land of Dien Bien Phu in the new year. In Central Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines coordinated with local authorities to organize New Year's celebrations, including in Da Nang, Hue, Gia Lai, and other locations.
In Hanoi, historical and cultural sites opened early, welcoming domestic and international visitors for sightseeing and experiences. The Thang Long Imperial Citadel heritage site has become a popular destination for families and foreign tourists. The performance "Thang Long Capital," utilizing 3D mapping and a newly launched digital experience space, created a highlight, offering a vibrant and modern approach to heritage. At the same time, the Temple of Literature - National Special Monument also recorded a large number of visitors from early morning. During this period, the site launched the "Vietnamese Soundscape" program, contributing to enriching nighttime tourism products and enhancing cultural experiences at the site.
On the same day, Ha Long International Cruise Port (Quang Ninh province) welcomed the first cruise ship of the new year. The Celebrity Solstice, a Maltese-flagged ship carrying over 3,000 international tourists, docked at the port, marking the beginning of the 2026 cruise tourism season. Leaders of Quang Ninh province personally welcomed the tourists, presented them with flowers, and extended New Year greetings.
In Lang Son, a group of 40 international tourists, marking the beginning of the year, participated in a journey to explore typical destinations such as: Dong Dang Mother Goddess Temple, Dong Dang Train Station, Tam Thanh Cave, Cua Nam Church, and the Hoang Van Thu Monument. This series of activities kicks off the province's tourism promotion program for 2026.
Happy New Year!
During the 2026 New Year's holiday, a joyful atmosphere of welcoming the new year spread throughout the country. In Ho Chi Minh City, many iconic destinations recorded an increase in visitors right from the first days of the new year. Besides city tours, tourists also chose to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels historical site, the Reunification Hall, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the City Post Office… This year, Suoi Tien is implementing many attractive programs such as “Live the Vietnamese Way - Chill for the New Year,” interactive activities, and a raffle with prizes including an iPhone 17 Pro and 9999 gold. At Saigon Zoo, from early morning, families brought their children to visit and learn about the animal world while enjoying outdoor play. The experience areas and children's games attracted large crowds…
In Mang Den commune, Quang Ngai province, the Mang Den Culture and Tourism Week officially commenced, lasting four days and attracting a large number of tourists for sightseeing and relaxation. Cherry blossom viewing spots such as the central square, the 36-household area, the Kon Tu Rang village check-in point, and especially the Dam Bri lake area, attracted many visitors for sightseeing and photography. The local authorities mobilized additional accommodation in community tourism villages in the surrounding areas, bringing the total number of rooms available to approximately 1,800, all of which were fully booked. On the first day of the New Year's holiday, Mang Den welcomed around 8,000 visitors.
In Da Lat (Lam Dong province) and surrounding areas, cherry blossoms have begun to bloom, attracting many tourists who choose to combine their Tet holiday with cherry blossom viewing. In the southeastern part of Lam Dong province, tourist destinations in Mui Ne (Mui Ne ward) have recorded a significant increase in tourist numbers, with a dramatic surge in international visitors compared to the same period in 2025. A representative from Little Mui Ne Cottages Resort (Mui Ne ward) stated that the resort, with 60 rooms, was fully booked during the Tet holiday, mostly by international tourists from Western and Eastern Europe. At some 3- to 5-star resorts in Mui Ne, occupancy rates reached 80%-90%, with many reaching 100%, peaking from January 1st to 3rd.
In Khanh Hoa, besides cultural tourism, sea and island tours continue to attract a large number of tourists during the New Year holiday. Mr. Tran Van Phu, Head of the Tourist Wharf Management Department (Nha Trang Bay Management Board), said that during the New Year holiday, Nha Trang tourist wharf served more than 3,500 passengers per day. Information from Cam Ranh International Airport indicates that the number of passengers passing through the airport during the 2026 New Year holiday reached over 95,000, an increase of about 15% compared to the same period in 2025.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/ron-rang-du-lich-dau-nam-moi-post831693.html
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