Vietnam's Rural Charm and Cultural Depth Drive Tourism Growth

As lychee orchards turn bright red in early summer, the Dong Man Ecotourism Area in Thanh Ha commune, Hai Phong city is bustling with visitors eager to experience rural life and fruit harvesting. The model is emerging as a promising example of how agricultural resources can be transformed into tourism products, helping create a new growth driver for the local economy. Summer marks the busiest season for tourism in Nha Trang in the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa. Beyond its crystal-clear waters, white sandy beaches and world-famous bays, a growing number of cultural tourism products are offering visitors fresh and memorable experiences. Playing with ducks may seem like a simple rural activity, but this rustic experience is proving to be a major draw for international tourists in the central province of Quang Tri. The tourism sector will implement a series of key tasks and solutions in the last six months of 2026 to realise the goal of making tourism a leading economic industry in the new development era. With its cool climate, rich natural resources and diverse tourism offerings, Lam Dong aims to welcome 25.8 million visitors in 2026, further strengthening its position as one of Vietnam's leading tourism destinations Ta Xua is rolling out a campaign titled “Bringing Ta Xua to the world” and aims to establish the image of “Ta Xua - a sea of clouds, majestic nature and Mong cultural identity” during the 2028-2030 period. The Hai Phong–Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong–Phu Quoc routes, operated by Sun PhuQuoc Airways, will enhance connectivity between the sides, encourage two-way visitor flows, and create fresh momentum for regional tourism development. Just a two hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Den Mountain has long been a favourite destination for weekend getaways. What keeps visitors returning is not only its convenient location, but also the fact that every visit offers something new to discover. On July 11, the day of the DIFF 2026 finale, accommodation establishments in the city served about 131,000 visitors, an increase of 16% from a year earlier. International visitors totalled 52,400, up 27% year-on-year, while domestic visitors reached 78,600, an increase of nearly 10%. The central province of Quang Tri is working with the Vietnam Railways Corporation (VRC) to complete the project, which is expected to create a distinctive railway tourism product linking major heritage sites and scenic destinations across Vietnam's north-central region while strengthening regional tourism connectivity. Quang Ninh is looking to build partnerships to steer more Russian visitors to Ha Long Bay and other local attractions. Beyond the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay, the province holds diverse advantages in marine tourism, cultural attractions, luxury resorts and wellness services. The Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration, Vietnam Register, and provincial construction department were instructed to coordinate with the Border Guard, Coast Guard, public security and local authorities to determine the cause of the accident, deal with its aftermath, identify and fix any state management lapses, offer support to victims and their families, and report regularly on the investigation’s progress. Home to one of Vietnam's richest biodiversity reserves, the Bach Ma National Park is stepping up efforts to transform its unique natural assets into sustainable tourism products while maintaining long-term conservation goals. Across Vietnam and around the world, travel inspired by music and film has become an increasingly influential trend. Cultural blockbusters can provide destinations with extraordinary visibility and a level of publicity that money alone often cannot buy. But attracting visitors is only the beginning. Both sides considered tourism as one of the most promising areas of bilateral cooperation, noting its role not only in promoting economic growth but also in enhancing people-to-people exchanges, mutual understanding and broader collaboration in trade, investment, education and culture. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) reported that Vietnam ranked fourth among the best-selling package tour destinations in the Russian market in July, capturing a 7.8% market share, up 3.2 percentage points year-on-year. The country overtook Thailand (4.7%) and China (4.3%). The model not only creates distinctive visitor experiences but also enables local people to benefit directly from tourism, while contributing to cultural preservation and environmental protection. The winners were recognised for breakthrough and innovative tourism policies in 2025, best tourism villages, leading destinations, top attractions and parks, standout new tourism products, top travel companies, and best-in-class lodging and dining, among others. Indonesian visitors currently account for only about 0.4% of the province's total international arrivals, indicating substantial room for growth and broader cooperation. The provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism recognised Kon Ka Kinh National Park and Yuragi Chaya Quy Nhon as official tourist destinations, raising the province’s total number of recognised tourist sites to four. Vietnam's appeal lies not in a single attraction but in the seamless combination of authentic experiences rooted in local culture. From colourful highland markets and traditional festivals to centuries-old craft villages, all remain an integral part of everyday life. Vietnam will continue to improve institutional frameworks and standards, develop human resources, expand Halal-certified services, strengthen international cooperation, promote business partnerships, and build the country's brand as a new destination for Halal tourism. Unlike conventional sustainable tourism, circular tourism goes beyond reducing environmental impacts. It embraces a regenerative approach in which every journey contributes to restoring ecosystems, preserving cultural heritage and strengthening the resilience of local communities. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.