China sees a surge in outbound tourism during the 2026 Lunar New Year: Vietnam among the top destinations.
The nine-day Lunar New Year holiday fuels a surge in international tourism from China, with Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries dominating the list of hotel and flight bookings.
The 9-day Lunar New Year holiday in China in 2026 is generating a strong wave of outbound travel, with air passenger numbers expected to reach record highs. In this trend, Vietnam is emerging as one of the top destinations preferred by Chinese tourists for their first trip of the year.
New record for the Chinese aviation industry.
According to a report from the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC), passenger traffic during the peak travel season of the 2026 Lunar New Year could reach 95 million, a 5.3% increase compared to the same period last year. With an average of 2.38 million passengers per day, international airports are preparing for peak demand periods.
Vietnam and Southeast Asia dominate the market.
Data from the travel platform Qunar.com shows that Vietnam is among the top 10 destinations for hotel bookings from mid-January until the end of the Lunar New Year holiday. Besides Vietnam, countries such as Thailand, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia also witnessed outstanding growth.
Statistics from Tongcheng Travel show that Southeast Asian countries account for approximately 50% of the top 10 most popular destinations. Notably, Ho Chi Minh City, along with Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bali, are leading cities in terms of international flight bookings. Flight Master confirms that while flights to Southeast Asia increased sharply, the Japanese market recorded a significant decrease of 43.7% compared to the previous year.
Expand routes and increase frequency.
To meet the surge in demand, Chinese airlines are actively opening new routes and increasing flight frequencies. China Eastern Airlines reported operating a total of over 2,800 flights during the Lunar New Year travel season, focusing on popular destinations in Southeast Asia and Australia.
New key connections:
- New route:The Shanghai-Phu Quoc route has been launched, directly connecting China's financial hub with Vietnam's pearl island.
- Increase frequency:Flights from major first- and second-tier cities in China to Hanoi, Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai have been increased in frequency.
The surge in the Chinese tourism market during the 2026 Lunar New Year not only reflects the demand for relaxation after a year of work but also affirms Vietnam's position as a safe, attractive, and conveniently connected air travel destination for tourists from its neighboring country.
