Ho Chi Minh City Tour Bookings Surge 50% as Vietnam...

Ho Chi Minh City has recorded a 50 percent surge in tour bookings for Vietnam’s National Day extended holiday, establishing the metropolis as a major two-way Asian travel hub. Supported by expanded e-visa policies and strong airline connectivity, the city generated VND 259.696 trillion ($9.9 billion) in tourism revenue through the first eight months of 2026.

National Day Holiday Triggers 50 Percent Booking Surge

[HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam] — Regional tour operators in Ho Chi Minh City report that holiday bookings for the National Day travel period (centered on September 2) have increased by approximately 50 percent compared to the same period in 2025. An extended five-day holiday window has broadened travel horizons, encouraging residents to undertake longer domestic journeys and book international itineraries across Southeast and Northeast Asia.

The booking boom underscores Ho Chi Minh City’s role as a two-way Asian aviation gateway. While international arrivals enter Vietnam through Tan Son Nhat International Airport to explore southern coastal resorts and cultural centers, outbound Vietnamese travelers are departing the city for regional destinations including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, and Bali.

This two-way traffic strengthens route economics for domestic and foreign airlines. Tour operators are responding by developing flexible, small-group package tours that combine guaranteed flight inventory and hotel blocks with free time for independent cultural discovery.

Eight-Month Performance Metrics and Revenue Trajectory

The National Day travel rush comes during an exceptional operational year for Ho Chi Minh City’s visitor economy. Official government data published through Vietnam's national information portal indicates that the city welcomed approximately 7.77 million international visitors during the first eight months of 2026.

This represents a 38.5 percent year-on-year increase in foreign arrivals, completing 70.6 percent of the city’s annual international target. Domestic visits reached approximately 35.5 million arrivals, representing 71 percent of the full-year goal.

Total tourism revenue for January through August 2026 reached VND 259.696 trillion (approximately $9.9 billion), a 48.8 percent year-on-year surge that fulfills 78.7 percent of the annual revenue target. Revenue is expanding faster than arrival volumes, demonstrating a successful pivot toward higher-spending, longer-stay visitors.

The table below presents Ho Chi Minh City's official tourism metrics for January through August 2026:

Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Indicator	Jan–Aug 2026 Actual Result	Official Annual Target Progress
International Visitor Arrivals	Approximately 7.77 million	70.6% of annual target
International Visitor Growth Rate	+38.5% year-on-year	Exceeding baseline projections
Domestic Visitor Arrivals	Approximately 35.5 million	71.0% of annual target
Total Tourism Revenue	VND 259.696 trillion ($9.9B)	78.7% of annual target
Tourism Revenue Growth Rate	+48.8% year-on-year	High-value spending expansion
August Monthly International Arrivals	Approximately 635,000	Single-month peak estimate
August Monthly Domestic Arrivals	Approximately 3.82 million	Single-month peak estimate
August Monthly Tourism Revenue	VND 22.23 trillion	Single-month revenue output

National Recovery Targets and Macroeconomic Context

Ho Chi Minh City’s rapid expansion aligns with Vietnam’s broader national tourism recovery goals. In 2025, Vietnam welcomed 21.5 million foreign visitors (up 22 percent year-on-year) and generated over VND 1 quadrillion in total tourism revenue across 135.5 million domestic trips.

For 2026, the Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) established aggressive national targets, seeking 25 million international visitors, 150 million domestic trips, and VND 1.125 quadrillion in total tourism revenue.

The table below outlines Vietnam’s national tourism benchmarks for 2025 and 2026:

National Tourism Indicator	2025 Official Benchmark	2026 Official National Target
Foreign Tourist Arrivals	21.5 million visitors	25.0 million visitors
Domestic Tourist Trips	135.5 million trips	150.0 million trips
Total Tourism Revenue	>VND 1.0 quadrillion	~VND 1.125 quadrillion
International YoY Growth Rate	+22% year-on-year	+16.3% projected target growth

ITE HCMC 2026 Expo, Infrastructure Upgrades, and Visa Reforms

Several structural catalysts are driving Ho Chi Minh City’s elevated travel performance:

ITE HCMC 2026 Trade Platform: The 20th International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (held August 27–29 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre) convened 520+ exhibitors and 260 international buyers from 35+ countries, executing over 21,000 pre-scheduled business appointments.
Progressive Visa Frameworks: Electronic visas valid for up to 90 days (single or multiple entry) and expanded 45-day visa-free entry for key European markets through 2028 allow foreign tourists to use HCMC as a regional multi-entry base.
Aviation Infrastructure Expansion: Concurrent investments at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and ongoing construction at Long Thanh International Airport in neighboring Dong Nai province ensure long-term passenger capacity expansion.

Why This Matters for Passengers and Regional Travellers

For international travelers and domestic holidaymakers, Ho Chi Minh City’s emergence as a two-way Asian travel hub offers superior flight connectivity and flexible travel options. Passengers arriving in Vietnam can take advantage of 90-day multi-entry e-visas to combine metropolitan exploration in HCMC with quick island or highland getaways. Meanwhile, the surge in package tour options during peak holiday windows provides travelers with guaranteed flight seats and fixed hotel rates, ensuring smooth, cost-effective travel across Southeast Asia.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are tour bookings in Ho Chi Minh City surging by 50% in late 2026?

Tour bookings jumped 50 percent for the September 2 National Day holiday because an extended five-day break allowed residents to plan longer domestic trips and short-haul international vacations without using annual leave.

What are the top outbound destinations for Vietnamese holidaymakers from HCMC?

Top Asian destinations attracting Vietnamese travelers during the holiday break include Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, Tokyo, Osaka, and Bali.

How did Ho Chi Minh City perform against its 2026 tourism revenue target?

Through the first eight months of 2026, Ho Chi Minh City generated VND 259.696 trillion ($9.9 billion) in tourism revenue, achieving 78.7 percent of its full-year target with a 48.8 percent year-on-year revenue increase.