In 2025, Vietnam's tourism achieved a recovery rate of nearly 120%, growing by about 21%. On this positive growth trajectory, 2026 is identified as a pivotal time for the tourism industry to take advantage of opportunities, improve competitiveness and set higher goals, aiming to welcome about 25 million international visitors.
In this context, the organization of the National Tourism Year is of particular importance, contributing to promoting the image of the country and people of Vietnam; creating a boost for the market, promoting regional linkages, innovating products, improving service quality, thereby affirming the national tourism brand in the international arena.
In 2026, Gia Lai was chosen as the host province of the National Tourism Year. With the comprehensive advantages gained after the province's merger, Gia Lai has an area of more than 21,500km2 - the 2nd largest in the country, a population of about 3.5 million people, holding a strategic geographical position, being a bridge between the South Central Coast and the Central Highlands.
The province owns a wide open development space and a diverse transportation system including roads, air, sea and international border gates, creating favorable conditions for regional connectivity and tourism development.
Gia Lai is also a place that converges many cultural heritages such as the Central Highlands Gong Cultural Space, Bai Choi Art of Central Vietnam - Representative Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity; Binh Dinh Traditional Martial Arts, Hat Boi; Roc Tung - Go Da Special National Relic; Kon Ka Kinh National Park - ASEAN Heritage Park; Chu Dang Ya volcanic system, Bien Ho, Ham Rong Mountain; Phuong Mai - Ky Co - Eo Gio peninsula; Interdisciplinary International Center for Science and Education and the largest astronomical observatory in Vietnam...
In particular, Quy Nhon was voted by Lonely Planet into the Top 25 leading destinations in the world in 2026 and 3 consecutive times won the title of ASEAN Clean Tourism Urban 2026, thereby continuing to affirm its position on the regional and global tourism map.
National Tourism Year 2026 has the theme "Gia Lai - Great Forests Touching Blue Sea", symbolizing the expanded development space after the merger, conveying a strategic message about the harmonious connection between the plateau and the sea and islands.
According to the plan, in 2026, 244 tourism, cultural and sports events and activities will take place nationwide, including 18 activities chaired by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism; 109 activities organized by Gia Lai province and 117 response activities from 22 provinces and cities. The series of events is implemented throughout the year, according to each quarter's theme, ensuring continuity, diversity and attractiveness.
The National Tourism Year - Gia Lai 2026 is expected to open in March 2026 in Quy Nhon ward and close at the end of December 2026 in Pleiku ward.
According to Ms. Do Thi Dieu Hanh - Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Gia Lai province, 2026 is the first year of the new term, Gia Lai implements the Resolution of the 14th Party Congress and the 1st Provincial Party Congress, in which tourism is identified as one of the pillars of economic development.
Hosting National Tourism Year 2026 has strategic significance, both as an activity to promote and advertise the image of the destination, and as an important driving force to bring Gia Lai tourism to develop strongly and sustainably, making practical contributions to the socio-economic development of the locality and the whole country.
