As Vietnam heads into the 2026 Lunar New Year, a growing number of households are rethinking the traditional Tet playbook of large family gatherings, elaborate home feasts, and days spent hosting visitors. Instead, many are opting to travel together, turning the country’s most important holiday into an opportunity to rest, reconnect, and reset.

While this year’s holiday season is less frenzied than the surge seen a year earlier, travel remains a leading choice among Vietnamese consumers. For many, a Tet getaway has become a practical way to decompress after months of demanding work and daily routines.

Tour operators report that both domestic and outbound packages were fully booked one to two months before the holiday. Within Vietnam, demand has concentrated in destinations that offer cooler weather, striking scenery, and distinctive cultural experiences.

Mountain towns in the north continue to draw strong interest. Sa Pa in Lao Cai Province remains a perennial favorite, while sites in the former Ha Giang area, now administratively part of Tuyen Quang Province, are also seeing steady bookings. Moc Chau in Son La Province, known for its rolling hills and flower seasons, is another popular choice. In the south, travelers are heading to Mekong Delta destinations such as Can Tho, Dong Thap, and Tay Ninh, attracted by river landscapes, local cuisine, and a slower pace of life.

Outbound travel remains part of the Tet landscape, though preferences are shifting. Vietnamese tourists who venture abroad are overwhelmingly choosing nearby Asian destinations, including China, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Singapore. These markets offer relatively short flight times, competitive prices, and straightforward entry procedures.

By contrast, long-haul trips to Europe have seen a noticeable decline compared with previous years. Industry observers attribute the shift to ongoing economic pressures and tighter household budgets. With consumers paying closer attention to spending, shorter and more affordable itineraries are gaining the upper hand.

The broader change reflects evolving attitudes toward how Tet should be spent. What was once seen as an optional add-on to traditional celebrations has become a deliberate and carefully planned priority for many families. Travel plans are increasingly mapped out well in advance, with attention to cost, logistics, and the varying preferences of family members across generations.

Domestic destinations that combine proximity, reasonable pricing, and distinctive appeal are particularly well positioned. The northern highlands and the Mekong Delta continue to perform strongly, thanks to their scenic landscapes, comfortable weather during the holiday period, and rich local identities.

The pattern in outbound travel also points to more cautious consumer behavior. Rather than splurging on distant, high-cost trips, travelers are favoring destinations within Asia that offer convenience and value. The emphasis is on manageable budgets, shorter travel times, and minimizing uncertainties.

Another notable driver of change is the growing influence of younger travelers. Beyond middle-aged families, students and young professionals are actively organizing group trips during Tet. Their priorities often include safety, ease of transport, and experiences that create shared memories, rather than luxury alone.

Together, these trends suggest that Tet travel in 2026 is defined less by extravagance and more by intentionality. Vietnamese consumers are still eager to mark the holiday with a change of scenery, but their choices reflect careful budgeting and a desire for meaningful connection. In that sense, travel has become not just a seasonal indulgence, but a purposeful way to begin the new year.