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Ten destinations across Vietnam set to draw record international visitors in 2026
Vietnam enters 2026 with a tourism sector that the United Nations World Tourism Organization has recognised as among the fastest-recovering and fastest-growing in the world. Underpinned by an expanding visa exemption framework, a strengthening international aviation network, and a portfolio of destinations that span beach resorts, imperial heritage cities, highland landscapes, and dynamic urban centres, the country is attracting sustained attention from global travel platforms and media alike. Based on international travel rankings for 2025, forward-looking trend data from leading online travel agencies including Booking.com, Expedia, and Agoda, and assessments from senior figures in Vietnam's travel industry, the following ten destinations have been identified as those most likely to generate the strongest growth in international arrivals throughout 2026
The established icons: destinations leading the growth
1. Phu Quoc
Featured in Expedia's Trending Destinations 2026 list with a 53 percent increase in searches and named on Business Traveller's global hot list, Phu Quoc welcomed an estimated 8.14 million visitors in 2025 — a 104 percent increase over the previous year. The island draws particularly strongly from Eastern European, Russian, South Korean, and Indian markets, which are characterised by longer stays and higher per-visitor spending. With APEC 2027 preparations accelerating infrastructure investment and an increasingly international hospitality ecosystem, Phu Quoc is positioned to retain its status as Vietnam's leading island destination throughout 2026.
2. Da Nang — Hoi An
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Following the administrative merger of Da Nang city and Quang Nam province, the Da Nang — Hoi An corridor has emerged as one of Vietnam's most complete destination clusters on the international map — a convergence of coastline, mountains, modern city infrastructure, and UNESCO heritage. AFAR magazine has rated Da Nang as one of the outstanding global destinations for 2026, describing it as "a rapidly emerging coastal city in Southeast Asia." Five international airlines launched new routes to Da Nang in 2025, including Emirates and Philippine Airlines, directly connecting the city with Bangkok, Manila, and other key Asian hubs and reinforcing its role as a regional gateway rather than a simple tourism stopover.
3. Nha Trang
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According to a report by Yanolja Research, Nha Trang has made an impressive leap to 31st place in the Global Cities Attractiveness Index 2024 — ranking above both Da Nang and Hanoi in the same index. The recovery of international flight routes, particularly from China and Singapore, is giving Nha Trang renewed momentum in 2026, with South Korean, Russian, and Chinese visitors identified as the primary growth markets. The city's combination of accessible beaches, established resort infrastructure, and a rich offshore island environment continues to make it one of Vietnam's most visited coastal destinations.
The rising stars: destinations gaining international momentum
4. Quy Nhon
Named by Lonely Planet among the world's top 25 destinations for 2026 — the only Vietnamese destination on that list — Quy Nhon has emerged as a destination of significant international interest. Following the provincial merger with Gia Lai, the destination now combines Binh Dinh's celebrated beaches including Ky Co and Eo Gio with the highland landscapes and indigenous cultural experiences of the central plateau. The Quy Nhon circuit is gaining particular traction among European and Australian travellers seeking an alternative to Vietnam's more established coastal destinations.
5. Ho Chi Minh City
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Vietnam's largest city and its primary southern gateway, Ho Chi Minh City welcomed more than 7.3 million international visitors in the first eleven months of 2025 — continuing to lead the country in international arrivals. The city's appeal to international travellers rests on its image as a dynamic and safe urban destination, its vibrant and diverse nightlife, its street food culture, and its function as the natural launch point for itineraries extending to the Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc, and Cambodia. For tour operators, the city's role as both a destination and a distribution hub for southern Vietnam makes it a critical component of international itinerary planning.
6. Hanoi
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Vietnam's capital continues to anchor the northern Vietnam itinerary for the majority of international visitors entering the country through Noi Bai International Airport. The city's Old Quarter, French colonial architecture, Hoan Kiem Lake, and proximity to Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh make it an essential component of any multi-destination Vietnam journey. In 2026, Hanoi is also consolidating its position as a hub for cultural and culinary tourism — with the city's street food scene now consistently recognised by international publications and platforms as among the most diverse and accessible in Southeast Asia.
7. Ha Giang and Sapa
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Vietnam's northern highland destinations are experiencing growing international traction, driven in part by the global shift toward nature-based and sustainable tourism models aligned with ESG principles. Ha Giang — named by Time Out among the world's 51 most beautiful places for 2026, ranking 17th — offers geological grandeur in the Dong Van Karst Plateau alongside deep cultural immersion among 43 ethnic minority communities. Sapa, while more developed, remains a primary destination for trekking, photography, and highland cultural experiences. Both destinations are particularly appealing to travellers from Europe, Australia, and North America who seek alternatives to coastal resort tourism.
8. Hue
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Vietnam's former imperial capital is undergoing what international travel media has described as a cultural and hospitality renaissance. Extensive restoration projects are revitalising the city's royal citadel, pagodas, and dynastic tombs, while a new generation of wellness-oriented resorts is expanding Hue's appeal to travellers seeking cultural depth alongside high-quality accommodation. The city's biennial Festival — confirmed for 2026, with the International Arts Week running June 13 to 18 — draws international visitors specifically for its UNESCO-recognised Nha Nhac court music performances, Ao Dai parades, and dragon boat races on the Perfume River.
9. Ninh Binh
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Consistently described by international travel media as "Ha Long Bay on land," Ninh Binh has experienced significant growth in international arrivals over the past three years, driven by its UNESCO-listed landscapes of limestone karst formations, river valleys, and ancient temples navigated by traditional wooden rowing boats. The destination appeals strongly to travellers seeking a quieter, more nature-immersive experience than the busier coastal resorts, and its proximity to Hanoi — approximately two hours by road — makes it an accessible day trip or overnight addition to any northern Vietnam itinerary.
10. Con Dao
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Described by Vogue France as a highlight of Vietnamese island tourism and featured across multiple international rankings in 2025 and 2026, Con Dao is Vietnam's most celebrated destination for eco-conscious travellers. An archipelago of 16 islands off Vietnam's southern coast, Con Dao combines a protected marine park of extraordinary biodiversity with a historically significant colonial-era prison complex that draws visitors seeking both natural and cultural depth. The destination remains deliberately low-volume in its development approach, and its positioning at the premium end of Vietnam's island tourism spectrum continues to attract travellers from Europe, Australia, and North America who prioritise quality of experience over scale.
The Foundation Behind the Forecast
The breadth of destinations across this list reflects a structural shift in how Vietnam is being perceived and experienced by international visitors. No longer concentrated in a small number of iconic sites, international demand is now spreading across a diverse range of destinations that together cover beach and island tourism, imperial heritage, highland culture, urban exploration, and nature-based travel. Three underlying factors are driving this expansion: Vietnam's progressively more accessible visa framework, which now includes 90-day e-visas for all nationalities and 45-day visa-free access for citizens of 24 countries; the continued expansion of direct international flight routes into Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Hanoi; and sustained international media recognition from outlets including AFAR, Time Out, Lonely Planet, Vogue France, and CNBC, which is generating measurable increases in search and booking activity across all key source markets. For travellers planning a journey to Vietnam in 2026, the country offers a range of experiences that few destinations in Asia can match in depth, diversity, or value.
For personalised travel advice or itinerary enquiries, our team is always happy to help — reach us at tours@inboundvietnam.com
For personalised travel advice or itinerary enquiries, our team is always happy to help — reach us at tours@inboundvietnam.com
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