Ha Noi welcomes 5 millionth international visitor of 2026
VGP - Ha Noi officially welcomed its five millionth international visitor of 2026 at a ceremony held at Noi Bai International Airport on July 7, marking another milestone for the capital's tourism industry.
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The visitor, Piñas Piñas Maria Del Mar from Spain, arrived in Ha Noi as the leader of a 19-member tour group on a 16-day journey across Viet Nam. The group flew from Madrid to Noi Bai International Airport via Doha on a Qatar Airways flight.
Ha Noi is the first stop on their itinerary, followed by Sa Pa, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City and Ben Tre.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Director of the Ha Noi Department of Tourism Tran Trung Hieu said the event reflected the capital's growing appeal to international travelers and demonstrated that the city is well on track to surpass its target of welcoming more than nine million foreign visitors in 2026.
According to Hieu, reaching the five million-visitor milestone not only represents a significant achievement for the city's tourism sector but also underscores Ha Noi's rising position as an attractive destination for global travelers.
Maria Del Mar said she was honored and pleasantly surprised to be recognized as Ha Noi's five millionth international visitor this year. She described Viet Nam as a destination she had long dreamed of visiting and expressed her delight at arriving during celebrations marking the 66th anniversary of the country's tourism sector (July 9, 1960–2026).
She and the members of her tour group said they were eager to explore Viet Nam's rich culture, history and hospitality, and hoped to return home with unforgettable memories of their journey.
Vice Chairman of the Ha Noi People's Committee Nguyen Xuan Luu expressed his hope that the capital's hospitality and friendliness would leave a lasting impression on the visitors and further strengthen the friendship between Viet Nam and Spain.
During the first half of 2026, Ha Noi welcomed more than 18 million visitors, up 15.7 percent compared to the same period last year. International arrivals increased by 26.8 percent, while total tourism revenue rose 19.1 percent year-on-year.
The capital has also continued to earn international recognition as a leading global travel destination. In 2026, Tripadvisor ranked Ha Noi second in Asia in its Travellers' Choice Best of the Best Destinations awards and recognized the city among the world's top destinations for culture and gastronomy. Meanwhile, U.S. News & World Report placed Ha Noi eighth among the 20 best places to visit in Asia, while Time Out included the Vietnamese capital in its list of the world's 50 best cities./.
