Tet tourism surge exposes overcrowding, service quality concerns

The long break ended Sunday.

Data released by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism showed average occupancy at hotels and other accommodation facilities stood at 70%, with major destinations such as Phu Quoc, Sa Pa and Phan Thiet reporting peak rates of 90-95%.

There were strong economic gains for destinations across the country, with many reporting tourism revenues in excess of VND1 trillion (US$38.1 million).

Ho Chi Minh City topped the list with over VND12.15 trillion, followed by Hanoi, Da Nang, Ninh Binh, Lao Cai, and Hue.

Officials described this year's Lunar New Year as an "especially vibrant travel period."

At several destinations, international arrivals were comparable to, even nearly matching, domestic visitor numbers.

In Da Nang, they accounted for 510,000 or nearly half of the total arrivals of 1.1 million. Hue recorded a similar pattern, with 240,000 foreign travelers out of 480,000 visitors overall.

Pham Hai Quynh, director of the Tourism Development Institute of Asia, said tourists are increasingly opting for four- to six-day itineraries rather than short, tightly scheduled trips.

Travelers also extended their spending beyond sightseeing, as demand for wellness services, premium dining experiences and shopping indicated.

Nevertheless, industry insiders said there are recurring issues during peak holiday that need to be addressed, including overcrowding at tourism destinations, uneven service quality, especially with relation to pricing, and traffic congestion at major tourist sites.

On Feb. 20, the fourth day of the Lunar New Year, the Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex in Ninh Binh Province announced it had reached full capacity and stopped issuing tickets.

Its online booking platform was also suspended during the holidays.

Ha Giang in Tuyen Quang Province, some 300 km from Hanoi, experienced a surge in visitor numbers from the afternoon of Feb. 19, leading to severe congestion along Tham Ma Pass, Ma Pi Leng Pass and the Nho Que River.

Tham Ma Pass in Ha Giang is congested on Feb. 20, 2026. Photo by Hoai Anh

The gridlock forced many travelers to alter itineraries, cancel bookings and scramble to find alternative accommodation.

The Hon Thom Cable Car in Phu Quoc, a favored tourist island in southern Vietnam, temporarily suspended operations on the afternoon of Feb. 19, due to an electrical malfunction, forcing boats to ferry thousands of passengers back to the mainland.

 

 

Tet tourism surge exposes overcrowding, service quality concerns

Du khách lên cano rời đảo Hòn Thơm

"We need to pay attention to the feelings of tourists; whether they are happy and satisfied during this holiday," Pham Ha, CEO of luxury tour operator Lux Group, said referring to the huge number of people thronging various destinations during Tet.

Local authorities could use data to forecast visitor numbers at hotspots, and, when they reach 80-90% of capacity, use remote traffic management systems or redirect tourists to other nearby attractions, he suggested.

In addition to overcrowding, rising prices and the limited number of shops in many provinces and cities have emerged as persistent challenges the tourism sector must address.

Ha said many shop owners are hesitant to remain open over the holiday, citing elevated food costs and labor expenses that could rise three to five times normal levels.

Quynh said: "To ensure successful long-stay holidays, localities need to shift their mindset from attracting a large number of tourists to sustainable destination management."