Vietnam, Hanoi and Ninh Binh are attracting stronger international travel demand as new booking data shows a 12% increase in online bookings compared with the previous year. The increase represents the third-largest relative rise among destinations across Asia, while Vietnam ranks fourth among the most-booked locations for summer 2026 travel alongside major Southeast Asian destinations such as Thailand and Indonesia.
The latest booking trend places Vietnam at the centre of growing demand for destinations that combine manageable travel costs with cultural attractions, natural landscapes and food experiences. For travellers, the country offers multiple regions that can be combined into one itinerary, from historic cities and imperial heritage to mountains, rice fields, coastlines and river landscapes.
Hanoi provides the cultural starting point
Hanoi remains one of Vietnam’s principal tourism gateways and offers visitors a combination of historic architecture, museums, markets, lakes and traditional neighbourhoods.
The Old Quarter is a major visitor area, with narrow streets, local shops, cafés and restaurants. Hoan Kiem Lake provides another central landmark, while the Temple of Literature and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum add cultural and historical attractions.
Vietnamese cuisine forms a major component of the Hanoi travel experience. Visitors can explore local dishes through restaurants, street-food stalls and markets, with pho, bun cha and other regional specialities available across the city.
Hue brings imperial heritage into the itinerary
Hue provides a contrasting tourism experience focused on Vietnam’s imperial history. The former imperial capital is home to the Imperial City, royal tombs, pagodas and historic buildings along the Perfume River.
Visitors can explore the Citadel and surrounding heritage sites while taking boat trips along the river. The city’s culinary traditions also add another dimension, with dishes associated with the former imperial court and central Vietnamese cuisine.
Hue can be incorporated into longer journeys connecting northern and central Vietnam.
Ninh Binh combines landscapes and heritage
Ninh Binh has become an important destination for travellers seeking natural scenery close to northern Vietnam’s major tourism centres. The region is known for limestone karst formations, rivers, caves, rice fields and historic sites.
Boat excursions through areas such as Trang An allow visitors to travel between limestone cliffs and waterways. Tam Coc provides another well-known landscape of rivers, rice paddies and dramatic rock formations.
Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam, adds a historical component to the region, allowing travellers to combine cultural sightseeing with outdoor experiences.
Ha Giang attracts adventure travellers
Ha Giang offers a very different travel experience, with mountain roads, valleys, ethnic minority communities and dramatic northern landscapes. The region is particularly associated with road trips and motorcycle journeys through mountainous terrain.
The Ha Giang Loop passes through mountain communities and viewpoints, providing opportunities to experience rural landscapes and local cultures.
Travellers can also visit markets and villages to learn about the traditions of ethnic groups living across the northern highlands.
The Mekong Delta offers river-based travel
The Mekong Delta introduces another side of Vietnam, with waterways, floating markets, agricultural landscapes and rural communities forming the foundation of its tourism offer.
Visitors can take boat excursions through narrow canals, visit fruit orchards and explore villages along the river. Can Tho is one of the main gateways to the delta and provides access to the Cai Rang floating market.
The region can be visited as a day trip from Ho Chi Minh City or as part of a longer journey through southern Vietnam.
Vietnam offers varied travel experiences
One reason Vietnam can support longer itineraries is the diversity of experiences available across the country. Travellers can move from Hanoi’s urban heritage to Ninh Binh’s karst landscapes, Hue’s imperial monuments and Ha Giang’s mountain roads.
Southern Vietnam adds another set of experiences through Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta, while destinations along the central coast provide beaches and historic towns.
This geographical variety allows visitors to create trips around culture, nature, food, adventure or relaxation.
Food remains central to the visitor experience
Vietnamese cuisine provides a major component of travel across the country. Regional differences mean that travellers encounter different dishes and cooking styles as they move between destinations.
Northern cuisine includes dishes such as pho and bun cha, central Vietnam is known for Hue specialities and distinctive flavours, while southern cuisine incorporates ingredients and traditions associated with the Mekong Delta.
Street food and local restaurants also provide options across different budgets, making culinary exploration accessible to a wide range of visitors.
European travellers increase their presence
The rise in online bookings indicates stronger interest from international travellers, including European visitors planning summer 2026 holidays. Vietnam’s position among the most-booked Asian destinations places it alongside established tourism markets such as Thailand and Indonesia.
European travellers can use Vietnam’s international gateways to build longer itineraries covering several regions. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City provide major entry points, while domestic flights, trains, buses and other transport services connect travellers with destinations across the country.
Budget travel meets diverse accommodation
Vietnam provides accommodation across a broad range of price points, from hostels and guesthouses to boutique hotels and luxury resorts. This allows travellers to adjust accommodation choices according to their budgets and travel styles.
Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City offer extensive hotel networks, while smaller destinations provide homestays, eco-lodges and locally operated properties.
For travellers seeking longer stays, this variety can make it possible to combine lower-cost accommodation with occasional premium experiences.
Central Vietnam adds beaches and heritage
Beyond Hue, central Vietnam offers destinations including Da Nang and Hoi An. Da Nang combines beaches, city attractions and access to nearby mountains, while Hoi An is known for its historic architecture, lantern-lit streets, markets and riverside setting.
Travellers can combine cultural sightseeing with coastal relaxation, creating another option for balanced itineraries.
Hoi An also provides access to nearby countryside and culinary experiences, while Da Nang functions as an important transportation hub for central Vietnam.
Vietnam’s tourism appeal continues to diversify
The 12% increase in online bookings highlights rising demand for Vietnam during the 2026 travel season. The country’s ranking among Asia’s fastest-growing booking markets places it within a competitive regional tourism landscape alongside Thailand and Indonesia.
For travellers, Vietnam offers a broad range of experiences without requiring a single type of holiday. Hanoi provides history and food, Hue offers imperial heritage, Ninh Binh delivers dramatic landscapes, Ha Giang brings mountain adventure and the Mekong Delta introduces river-based travel.
With its combination of cultural attractions, natural scenery, regional cuisine and varied accommodation, Vietnam is attracting travellers looking to experience several sides of Southeast Asia during one journey.
