From the morning of the first day of the Lunar New Year (February 17), the spring travel atmosphere in Hue has been vibrant and festive. Visitors from across Vietnam, along with international tourists, have chosen the former imperial capital as their holiday destination, creating a lively tourism scene on the very first day of the New Year.

On January 19, according to the information released by the Department of Tourism, Hue City was named “Domestic Destination of 2025” as part of the HOTLIST Travellive Editor’s Pick - an annual prestigious program launched and organized by Travellive Media Group to honor outstanding brands, destinations, and individuals for their positive contributions to the development of Vietnam’s tourism industry.

The culinary passport is seen as a fresh idea that turns dining experiences into highlights of a travel journey. Instead of traditional sightseeing, visitors can “stamp their taste buds” by checking in with signature dishes at each destination. This idea opens up new ways to stimulate tourism demand.

According to VNA (Vietnam News Agency) reporters in Sydney, Australia’s Sky News recently published an article stating that when Australian travelers seek “meaningful cultural adventures”, Vietnam tops their list, as tourism in this Southeast Asian country offers high quality at a lower cost compared to any other popular destination.

Along with the recovery and growth in tourist numbers, the luxury travel segment within Vietnam’s tourism industry in general - and Hue’s in particular - is gradually gaining attraction. The “smokeless industry” of the ancient capital is showing many positive signs, suggesting that with proper investment, it could become an attractive destination for wealthy travelers.

Data compiled from the Google Destination Insights travel trend tracker reveals that Vietnam has the 7th highest destination growth rate globally. Notably, Hue is among the top 10 most searched cities in Vietnam by international visitors.

During the April 30 - May 1 holiday this year, Hue emerged as a popular destination. Alongside tour groups organized by travel agencies, a significant number of tourists opted for self-guided tours, renting cars or driving themselves to key attractions in the city.

Recently, luxury travelers and the ultra-rich have shown increased interest in Vietnam as a travel destination; and, Thua Thien Hue is among the locations catching their attention. Beyond its natural beauty, high-quality services are a top priority to attract these affluent tourists.

During 2 days, from September 18 to 19, about 70 travel businesses and travel associations nationwide came to Hue to participate in the Hue famtrip program titled “Ancient Capital – New Experiences season 3” to visit, survey, and assess the tours and tourism destinations in Hue.

At the end of 2023, a reputable American travel magazine proposed Hue as one of the must-visit destinations in Asia that tourists should not miss in their 2024 travel itinerary. Furthermore, this is also the year when tourism in Hue received numerous prestigious awards of the world.