HCMC – HCMC on January 1 held a ceremony at Tan Son Nhat International Airport to welcome its first international visitors of 2026, signaling strong growth ambitions for the tourism sector in the year ahead.
The event was organized by the HCMC Department of Tourism at the international arrival terminal, marking the city’s first tourism activity of the new year. Officials described it as a symbolic start to 2026, a year in which HCMC positions itself as a dynamic megacity and a leading regional destination.
Two international flights were selected for the New Year welcome. Vietnam Airlines flight VN30 from Germany landed at 6:35 a.m., followed by Qatar Airways flight QR974 from Qatar at 7:15 a.m. Arriving passengers on both flights were greeted at baggage carousels 4 and 5.
The arrival lounge was decorated with traditional Tet elements, including apricot blossoms, chrysanthemums and a miniature Ben Thanh Market display, alongside the slogan “I Love Vibrant HCMC.” Visitors were invited to experience Vietnamese New Year customs such as tea tasting, sampling Tet sweets, watching calligraphy demonstrations and making traditional folk toys.
Among the passengers on flight VN30, Lydia, a visitor from the Netherlands, received flowers and souvenirs from city leaders. She said she was surprised by the warm reception and the opportunity to experience local culture immediately upon arrival.
According to the Department of Tourism, the early-year ceremony reflects the city’s determination to refresh its destination image and enhance visitor experience as it enters a new development phase.
Le Truong Hien Hoa, deputy director of the department, said the event was not only a welcome for the first visitors of the year but also the opening signal for a strong tourism year. He added that the city is committed to improving service quality and ensuring a safe, friendly and innovative tourism environment.
Tourism targets raised for 2026
HCMC’s tourism sector maintained solid growth in 2025. The city received an estimated 8.5 million international visitors and around 45 million domestic travelers. Total tourism revenue was estimated at about VND278 trillion.
For 2026, the city targets around 11 million international arrivals and 50 million domestic visitors, with total tourism revenue projected at VND330 trillion.
To achieve these goals, HCMC plans to implement its tourism development strategy through 2030, focusing on improving quality and diversifying tourism products. Promotional efforts will be intensified to highlight signature offerings and expand outreach to new markets, particularly in Europe, the Americas and the Middle East.
