Dong Thap Turns Flood Season into Tourism Opportunity

Farmers in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap are gradually embracing advancements in science, technology, and digital transformation, providing an important impetus for the agricultural sector to shift toward modern production in line with Politburo Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW dated June 16, 2022. After the harvest, straw-rolling workers remain busy across the rice fields of the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap. The seasonal work provides local residents with a relatively stable source of income. Built in the early 19th century, Vinh Trang Pagoda in the Mekong delta province of Dong Thap features unique architecture and still preserves many ancient Buddha statues, showcasing the distinct Southern culture and heritage to visitors. In the Vietnam category, Chanterelle – Spa by JW at JW Marriott Phu Quoc Emerald Bay Resort & Spa was named Vietnam's Best Resort Spa 2026. The conference served as an important forum to assess changes and bottlenecks facing the tourism sector, while identifying breakthrough solutions to realise the goal of making tourism a key economic sector, as set out in Politburo Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW and Government Resolution No. 263/NQ-CP. The collaboration aims to introduce more premium hospitality brands to Vietnam, expand the horizons for MICE tourism, and elevate international destinations. The city’s allure, as suggested by Lonely Planet, lies in its ability to combine diverse experiences in a single trip: relaxing by My Khe Beach, exploring nature, savouring local cuisine, and dedicating time to cultural and entertainment destinations. This versatility enables Da Nang to attract both leisure travelers seeking a relaxed getaway and those looking for an activity-packed itinerary. These three strategic cooperation pillars spanning payments, hospitality, and aviation bring high-level Vietnam–US commitments closer to tangible projects. Capella Hanoi, Hotel de la Coupole – MGallery, and InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, three luxury hospitality landmarks developed by Sun Group, have been officially honoured in the 2026 Michelin Key selection. Vietnam welcomed nearly 16 million international visitors in the first eight months of 2026, up 14.4% year on year and reaching 63.6% of the full-year target. Long-haul markets also recorded strong growth, including Russia (up 165.7%), Europe (53.4%), the Americas (20.7%) and Australia (23.3%). Phu Quoc is entering a new growth cycle: it is not only being talked about more, but is increasingly becoming a choice for travellers from Asia to Europe looking for a seaside destination for their next holiday. Tourism is a practical area of cooperation that helps enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples while creating development opportunities for localities and businesses. Lang Son and Guangxi both boast rich and diverse tourism resources spanning culture, history, ecology and leisure, an official said, expressing her hope to connect these resources into attractive cross-border tourism routes and destinations while developing caravan tours, cultural and spiritual tourism, and border shopping tourism. For the MICE tourism sector in both Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam, growth can no longer be driven merely by increasing the number of events; instead, the focus must shift to enhancing the value of each event and the competitiveness of each destination. For Phu Quoc, MICE represents more than simply another high-potential source of visitors. The segment could help the island evolve from a largely seasonal resort destination into a year-round tourism hub, while increasing spending per visitor and strengthening its ability to attract corporate groups, investors and international professionals. A notable feature of Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW is its focus on developing three major tourism growth poles – Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang – while gradually turning Phu Quoc into a new growth pole. It also calls for the development of 10 key tourism centres and 20 national tourism areas. For a long-haul holiday, the journey itself can be the greatest hurdle, especially for families travelling with young children or older relatives. Vietnam’s 45-day visa exemption for Russian citizens gives Phu Quoc an immediate advantage, accommodating an extended winter escape with ease. In an article titled “The bonkers Asian island that won’t stay off-grid for long”, Adams portrays a Phu Quoc full of contrasts that somehow sit comfortably alongside one another: some of Asia’s finest beaches beside dazzling spectacles; secluded, peaceful resorts just a short distance from an “unhinged” world of fireworks, jet skis and European-inspired architecture. For 2026, Vietnam's tourism sector is targeting 25 million foreign arrivals, 150 million domestic trips and total revenue of 1.125 quadrillion VND (43 billion USD). The central city aims to welcome and support nearly 93,000 MICE visitors in 2026, up about 12% year-on-year. To accelerate the market in the final months of the year, the municipal tourism sector is strengthening links with corporations, businesses and event organisers while diversifying tourism promotion activities. According to The World’s 50 Best Hotels, Capella Hanoi is among the new entries on this year’s list. It features a design inspired by the world of 1920s opera and is located near the Hanoi Opera House. A highlight of this year’s autumn-winter tourism season is the Yen Tu festival 2026, featuring a wide range of events such as Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, a Chinese chess tournament, the Yen Tu Heritage Marathon and the Yen Tu Ultra Trail race. After two consecutive seasons of creating spectacular scenes against the sea and sky of southern Phu Quoc, Symphony of the Sea is preparing to launch its biggest edition yet. Fireworks, which have been responsible for some of the show’s most explosive climaxes, will once again be one of the most heavily invested elements. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.