Bustling early spring tourists
In the days leading up to the 2026 Lunar New Year, many central areas of Ho Chi Minh City become bustling with crowds flocking to play and take spring photos.
Present at the Vietnamese Tet Festival at the Youth Cultural House (Saigon ward), Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong (Binh Phu ward) said that every year her family wears ao dai to take Tet photos.
The atmosphere here is very bustling, with apricot blossoms, peach blossoms, and New Year mascots, so taking pictures is very beautiful. Tet and being able to stroll and admire the scenery like that is much happier" - Ms. Hong excitedly shared.
In the area in front of Ben Thanh market (Ben Thanh ward), after being renovated, this place has become a check-in point attracting a large number of people and tourists.
At the same time, many tourism and entertainment businesses have also launched new products, ready to serve the increasing demand for sightseeing and entertainment during the holidays.
Saigon WaterGO has just launched the waterway tourism experience series Heritage Journey, combining Hoa Thanh Tien folk art and the sound of Central Highlands gongs, lasting until mid-March 2026. Currently, train trips record positive feedback from tourists.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Kim Toan - Director of Thuong Nhat Company - the owner of Saigon WaterBus and WaterGO, said that the program was built specifically for the Tet season, with the desire to become a cultural storytelling point on the Saigon River.
We select cultural quintessence from regions, from Hue royal court to the Central Highlands, so that tourists can both visit urban landscapes and enjoy traditional art, thereby further loving national culture" - Mr. Toan shared.
Diversifying products to stimulate inner-city tourism
At Suoi Tien Cultural Tourist Area (Tang Nhon Phu ward), the 2026 Spring Festival officially opens from the 1st day of Binh Ngo Tet, operating throughout from morning to night. The festival combines sightseeing, entertainment, cuisine and traditional - modern art programs.
According to Ms. Bui Thi To Trinh - Deputy General Director of Suoi Tien, for the first time, the large-scale investment unit, the Son Tinh Thuy Tinh art program combined with a large-scale reality show gathering 14 national heroes officially launched during the 2026 Lunar New Year.
In particular, the festival also has a series of activities with the themes of "Tet of Origin", "Tet of Peace", "Tet of Culture" and "Tet Gen Z", targeting many groups of visitors.
Dam Sen Cultural Park is implementing a 30% discount program on package tickets when buying tickets online. The unit also organizes a folk spring festival with 12 traditional games from the 1st to the 6th day of Tet, creating an experience space for families and children.
Meanwhile, the Cu Chi Tunnels historical relic site (An Nhon Tay commune) recreates the cultural space of the S'tieng and M'nong people with performances and exchanges of highland identity, bringing a new spring travel choice right in Ho Chi Minh City. The program is held from the 2nd to the 5th day of Tet.
With a series of diverse events, festivals and entertainment products, inner-city tourism in Ho Chi Minh City is expected to continue to attract visitors, contributing to creating a vibrant spring atmosphere and promoting the economy during Tet.
