Visitor numbers to Dong Thap in the first half of this year reached nearly 59% of the annual plan and increased by 16% compared to the same period in 2025, according to the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. Among these, international visitors totaled approximately 350,000, a 5,7% increase. Total tourism revenue is estimated at 2,450 billion VND, up 7% year-on-year, completing over half of the annual plan. Specifically, in QII/2026, the province welcomed approximately 1,75 million visitors, with total tourism revenue reaching 915 billion VND, demonstrating the growing appeal of Dong Thap as a destination for both domestic and international tourists.

Synchronized solutions for tourism development

These figures reflect the sustainable recovery of the tourism sector and the effectiveness of the policies the province is implementing, aligning with its objective to develop tourism into a key economic sector. Since the beginning of the year, the province has implemented many synchronized solutions, such as improving mechanisms, investing in infrastructure, developing products, accelerating digital transformation, and enhancing promotion and advertising.

Key initiatives include the implementation of the Resolution on Dong Thap tourism development for the 2025-2030 period; the 2026 tourism promotion plan; and plans for developing tourism infrastructure, high-quality tourism products, digital tourism, and promoting international tourism with a double-digit growth target. Concurrently, the province has also developed investment support policies for tourism development for the 2026-2030 period to attract more social resources into this sector.

Ao dai parade at the third Dong Thap Lotus Festival held in Cao Lanh ward. *Tran Thanh*

In parallel, state management of tourism continues to be strengthened through the licensing of travel operations, tour guides, and the recognition of accommodation and dining establishments that meet standards for serving tourists. This contributes to improving service quality and the professionalism of the industry.

One of the highlights in the first six months was the promotion and advertising of destinations and events. Dong Thap participated in several national-level tourism events, such as the Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo, the Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM), and the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival. The province also promoted OCOP products and local specialties in many localities nationwide.

Notably, the Famtrip Program and green tourism and agricultural tourism experience tours, held within the framework of the first Dong Thap Fruit Festival, attracted approximately 80 tourism businesses from inside and outside the province to participate in surveys, connect, and develop new products. This provides an important basis for expanding the market and diversifying the province's tourism offerings.

In product development, Dong Thap continues to add new destinations, such as rural market models and standard dining establishments serving tourists. The province also surveyed the development of waterway tourism routes on the Tien River and supported the creation of unique products linked to community-based tourism, Mekong River region tourism, and the exploitation of indigenous cultural values in Sa Dec ward.

Bird breeding season in Gao Giong, Phong My commune, Dong Thap province - one of the province's attractive tourist destinations. *Ngoc Tai*

Aiming for 8 million visitors

Recognizing digital transformation as an inevitable trend, Dong Thap continues to implement its Smart Tourism Development Project with practical content, such as updating digital data on destinations, accommodation establishments, and tourism products; upgrading the Dong Thap Tourism Portal; applying QR codes at attractions; and enhancing promotion on digital platforms.

Concurrently, the tourism sector focuses on human resource training through professional training courses for management officials, businesses, community tourism workers, and agricultural laborers, contributing to improving service quality and professionalism within the industry.

For the last six months of the year, the province aims to attract 8 million visitors, including 870,000 international visitors, with total tourism revenue reaching 4,800 billion VND, an increase of 15,4% compared to the previous year. This will contribute significantly to the province's economic growth targets.

To achieve this goal, Dong Thap will continue to implement a series of solutions, such as: accelerating investment in tourism infrastructure; developing a collection of diplomatic gifts embodying Dong Thap's identity; innovating promotion activities towards professionalism; expanding domestic and international visitor markets; promoting regional linkages; accelerating digital transformation; and enhancing the quality of tourism human resources.

Sa Dec Flower Village, Dong Thap province. *Ngoc Tai*

With many innovative activities, effective exploitation of existing potential, and the promotion of unique cultural and ecological values, Dong Thap's tourism sector is creating a foundation to become an attractive destination in the Mekong Delta region, making increasingly important contributions to the local socio-economic development.

Ngoc Tai