Ho Chi Minh City tourism earns over $100mn during New Year holiday

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism reported that during the holiday, which spanned the first four days of 2026, tourist sites and attractions citywide welcomed an estimated 1.24 million visitors, with more than 72,700 of them international tourists.

Average hotel occupancy reached about 75 percent.

International arrivals increased noticeably compared with the same period last year, with most visitors coming from Northeast Asia, including South Korea, Japan, China, and Taiwan, as well as from Southeast Asia, Europe, and Australia.

Many foreign travelers opted for short-stay products such as city tours, cultural experiences, and food-focused itineraries. 

Independent travelers and small groups accounted for a large share of this segment.

Domestic tourism also recorded strong growth, particularly from southern and central provinces. 

Families and groups of young travelers chose Ho Chi Minh City as a destination for leisure, events, entertainment, and shopping during the holiday.

To capitalize on the holiday demand, travel companies not only developed city-based tours but also coordinated with nearby provinces to offer combined itineraries.

Lodging facilities rolled out promotional room rates and bundled services, increased staffing levels, and enhanced service quality to cope with peak demand.

Meanwhile, restaurants, entertainment venues, and shopping malls extended operating hours, refreshed offerings, and added experiences to attract visitors.

During the holiday period, the Department of Tourism instructed accommodation providers and tourism businesses to strengthen safety and security measures, including fire prevention, food safety, and transparent price listing, while improving overall service standards for visitors.

At the national level, domestic tourists during the New Year holiday tended to favor destinations with well-developed infrastructure and diverse entertainment options suitable for multi-generational families.

Popular choices included beach and highland destinations like Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, and Da Lat, which benefit from convenient transport connections and complete tourism services.

Major tour operators also reported positive trends.

Saigontourist said it focused on domestic products emphasizing nature, culture, and spiritual tourism, with popular routes to Da Lat, the Mekong Delta, and central Vietnam, including Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue.

In the outbound market, BenThanh Tourist recorded a roughly 15-percent increase in bookings compared with the previous year, with Thailand, Japan, China, and South Korea among the most sought-after destinations.

With New Year tours largely completed, travel firms are now shifting their focus to Lunar New Year travel and early-2026 programs.

For 2026, Ho Chi Minh City has set ambitious targets, aiming to welcome about 11 million international visitors and 50 million domestic travelers, with total tourism revenue projected at around VND330 trillion ($12.5 billion).