Ha Noi served 560,000 holiday-makers during 2026 New Year break

From January 1 to 4, the capital earned VND2.1 trillion (about US$79.85 million) in tourism revenue — a surge of 250 percent in visitor volume and 254 percent in revenue compared with the same period last year.

According to the tourism authority, the sharp rise in both arrivals and spending was largely driven by the four-day holiday extension, which gave visitors more time for leisure, sightseeing and experiences. The figures also underscore Hanoi's growing appeal as a safe, culturally rich destination that is continuously refreshing its tourism offerings.

Key attractions including Hoan Kiem Lake, the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam), and the Old Quarter remained packed throughout the holiday, particularly during evening hours.

The strong performance was supported by a lineup of major cultural and tourism events, well prepared ahead of the holiday. Highlights included fireworks shows at five locations across the city, countdown celebrations, and music and art performances featuring both Vietnamese and international artists. New experiential programmes were also launched, notably an artistic lighting space illuminating Turtle Tower (Thap Rua) at Hoan Kiem Lake, and a digital exhibition showcasing Hanoi's heritage.

Technology-driven tourism products emerged as a defining feature of this year's holiday season. The large-scale 3D mapping show "Imperial Capital of Thang Long", along with digital experience spaces, delivered a modern approach to heritage storytelling, enabling visitors — especially younger audiences and international tourists — to explore the history and culture of Thang Long – Hanoi in a more immersive and engaging way.

Alongside the digital push, traditional cultural tourism continued to serve as the backbone of the sector. Night tours at the Temple of Literature, craft village showcases, Tet cultural experiences, traditional music performances, cycling tours, cultural talks, and community-based visits to suburban districts helped distribute tourist flows beyond the city centre, encouraging longer stays and higher spending.

Notably, peri-urban tourism — including eco-cultural routes, community tours, and excursions to craft villages — also recorded significant growth. This trend is being seen as a positive indicator of sustainable tourism development, helping to reduce pressure on central hotspots while unlocking the potential of surrounding districts.

The strong start to 2026 reflects renewed growth prospects for Ha Noi's tourism industry, with cultural depth, innovation, and expanded geographic offerings shaping the city's competitive edge.

In 2026, Ha Noi is targeting 35.8 million visitors, including 8.6 million international travelers and 27.2 million domestic visitors, with revenue expected to exceed VN160 trillion (US$6.1 billion)./.