As the Lunar New Year (Tet) approaches with a nine-day holiday, tourism demand is becoming increasingly vibrant, with a wide range of domestic and international tours being rolled out.

Visitors at the newly launched Pho Museum in Ben Thanh ward, Ho Chi Minh City.

Travel companies are accelerating preparations in terms of products, transportation, and human resources to meet the growing demand for spring travel and Tet cultural experiences of both domestic and foreign visitors.

Since the beginning of 2026, many travel agencies have reported an increase in Lunar New Year tour bookings compared with the same period last year. Notably, tours focusing on cultural immersion, local lifestyles, and early spring festivals are gaining popularity, rather than purely leisure-oriented trips as seen in previous years.

Emily Rose Thompson, a visitor from New Zealand, said she was excited to return to Vietnam for the second time since the Covid-19 pandemic, coinciding with the traditional Lunar New Year.

She expressed her hope to have a chance to experience the festive preparations, traditional markets, family meals, and the way Vietnamese people welcome the New Year.

Anticipating the growing interest among international tourists in experiencing Vietnam’s traditional Lunar New Year, travel companies have been preparing their offerings well in advance.

In early February, Vietluxtour Travel JSC is expected to welcome foreign visitors to Dong Thap province, where they will take part in activities closely linked to the rural life of the Mekong Delta, including Tet markets, traditional New Year meals, and community cultural spaces.

According to Tran Thi Bao Thu, Director of Marketing and Communications at Vietluxtour, although consumers tend to tighten spending in many areas, budgets allocated for travel during the Lunar New Year, especially high-quality leisure and experiential products, continue to rise.

On Saigontourist’s website, the programme titled “Tet with Saigonese” is also attracting considerable attention. Running from the first to the fourth day of the first lunar month, the tour allows visitors to immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere of Ho Chi Minh City and southern Vietnam, explore the city centre, visit the Tao Dan spring flower festival, stop by Vietnam Quoc Tu Pagoda to learn about traditional beliefs, seek calligraphy for good fortune, and notably experience Tet in local homes while enjoying family reunion meals.

Meanwhile, tours to destinations such as Da Lat, Dien Bien, and Son La are also seeing rising demand, with many itineraries fully booked early, despite Vietnamese travellers’ usual habit of making last-minute reservations.

Hoang My Anh, a resident of Ho Chi Minh City, said she and her Vietnamese-Canadian friends recently joined a trip to admire peach and plum blossoms in the northwest. “The cool climate, stunning scenery, and ethnic festivals left a strong impression on us,” she noted.

Alongside the tourism boom, the aviation market has entered its peak season. Airfares close to the 2026 Lunar New Year have risen sharply on many routes departing from Ho Chi Minh City, particularly to central, Central Highlands, and northern regions.

To meet rising demand, airlines are increasing flight frequencies. Vietnam Airlines has added nearly 300 flights, offering more than 60,000 additional seats, while Vietjet has opened sales for around 390,000 extra seats, focusing on high-demand routes before and after the Lunar New Year.

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