"Green tourism" destinations not to be missed for New Year 2026

"Green tourism" destinations not to be missed for New Year 2026

Global tourism is shifting toward a development model that prioritizes the environment, community, and sustainable experiences.

Green travel trends in 2025

Amid the robust post-pandemic recovery of global tourism, green and responsible travel is becoming a mainstream trend. According to the Tourism Information Center (Vietnam National Authority of Tourism), the 2025 Travel Trends Report published by Euronews, a pan-European news television network, shows that the global tourism industry is shifting toward a development model prioritizing the environment, communities, and sustainable experiences. Travelers are increasingly avoiding overcrowded destinations, opting instead for pristine natural spaces connected to local lifestyles and ecological values.

In particular, younger generations such as Gen Z are willing to choose trips that allow them to experience, learn and contribute positively to local communities, rather than simply relax. Eduardo Santander, Chief Executive Officer of the European Travel Commission, observed: "Young people will not choose destinations that harm the environment or fail to take responsibility for the climate." With this shift, tourism is not only an economic sector but also a bridge helping people live in harmony with nature, opening up a sustainable, innovative and promising phase of development.

In that trend, agritourism—where visitors immerse themselves in nature, participate in agricultural production, and enjoy a slower pace of life—is emerging as a fitting choice for short getaways. Agritourism is an important branch of ecotourism, geared towards a sustainable development model that harmonizes environmental protection, the preservation of indigenous culture, and livelihood creation for local communities. Participating in agritourism, visitors not only tour rural landscapes but also directly engage in production activities such as planting, harvesting, caring for livestock, processing agricultural products, and learning about sustainable farming practices.

Through hands-on experiences and immersion in nature, agritourism offers visitors the opportunity to deeply explore local culture and lifestyles, connect with nature in fresh surroundings, and gain practical knowledge of green agriculture. In addition, enjoying local specialties made from fresh, clean produce on-site, interacting with local communities, and embracing a slower pace of life help visitors relieve stress while promoting a responsible tourism model that brings long-term benefits to both the community and travelers.

Against that backdrop, the Government's decision granting civil servants and public employees a 4-day continuous New Year holiday in 2026 is regarded as a significant boost to short-term travel demand. According to Document No. 12729/VPCP-KGVX issued on December 25, 2025, swapping working days provides workers with an uninterrupted break from January 1 to January 4, 2026, both guaranteeing total working hours and helping stimulate tourism and consumer spending.

Given limited holiday time, the trend of choosing nearby destinations with convenient travel and relaxing experiences is becoming increasingly clear. Ecological agritourism has therefore become a fitting choice, meeting the demand for "short yet high-quality trips" and allowing visitors to enjoy green spaces, a slower pace of life, and connection with nature and local communities, while aligning with the sustainable tourism development orientation pursued by Vietnam.

Suggestions for typical ecotourism destinations across regions

Northern Mountainous Region

Sa Pa: Sa Pa (Lao Cai) is a typical destination for eco-agro-tourism in the Northern mountainous region, renowned for its terraced rice fields curving below the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. Here, visitors can directly experience traditional farming activities such as transplanting rice seedlings and harvesting alongside local people, combined with exploring the cultural life of the H'Mong, Red Dao, and Giay communities. Destinations like Cat Cat, Lao Chai - Ta Van, or Ta Phin offer diverse experiences from rice farming, tea picking, and medicinal herb cultivation to traditional crafts and herbal baths, weaving a sustainable tapestry of eco-tourism linked to agriculture and cultural identity.

Ha Giang (Tuyen Quang): Ha Giang impresses visitors with the majestic Dong Van Karst Plateau and unique adaptive farming models on harsh terrain. Agritourism here allows tourists to learn about the cultivation of corn, barley, indigenous vegetables, traditional livestock farming, and experience the signature buckwheat flower season. Destinations like Nam Dam community-based village, Lung Tam weaving village, or Sung La valley offer activities such as farming, medicinal plant care, handicrafts, and exploring local culture, creating a sustainable and culturally rich eco-tourism journey.

Moc Chau: Moc Chau stands out with its lush green tea hills - a symbol of Northern highland agriculture, where visitors can experience harvesting, processing, and tasting specialty tea varieties, while immersing themselves in nature and checking in at the vast tea hills. In addition, dairy farms offer modern agricultural experiences with milking activities, tours of production processes, and shopping for fresh, clean products. Happy Land farm completes Moc Chau's eco-tourism picture with experiences of planting vegetables, caring for flowers, and staying at homestays amidst the peaceful highland setting.

Northern Delta

Hanoi: In the context of growing interest in ecotourism and experiential tourism as sustainable vacation trends, Hanoi is gradually establishing its unique appeal with green destinations connected to agriculture and natural spaces. Beyond serving as the political and cultural center, the capital also boasts a network of peri-urban eco-agricultural zones such as Soc Son, Ba Vi, Dong Anh, and Gia Lam, where visitors can plant vegetables, tend fruit trees, experience organic and high-tech farming models, and learn about the livelihoods of suburban farmers. These activities offer gentle, nature-immersed getaways ideal for families and tour groups on short vacations.

Alongside ecological agricultural areas, Hanoi Botanical Garden is a hallmark green space that enriches eco-tourism experiences right in the heart of the city. Featuring a diverse collection of trees, scenic ponds, and tranquil walking paths, it not only holds value for botanical conservation and environmental education, but also serves as an ideal destination to relax and learn about native and introduced plant species. The combination of suburban agritourism sites and urban green spaces like Hanoi Botanical Garden provides visitors with diverse options for the 4-day New Year holiday, especially for those seeking a slow-paced getaway that balances recreation, relaxation, and ecological engagement right within the capital.

Ninh Binh: Beyond being famous for Trang An or Hang Mua, Ninh Binh is also an attractive destination for eco-agro tourism, where visitors can experience the Northern countryside through activities like transplanting rice seedlings, growing organic vegetables, tending fruit orchards, and boating among rivers and limestone karsts. Typical highlights such as Trang An (combining agricultural experiences with heritage), Van Long Wetland (agriculture linked with wetland ecosystems), and Gia Thuy pottery village offer a harmonious journey discovering nature, livelihoods, and local craft village culture.

Central Region

Hue: Alongside the charm of the ancient capital, Hue is also an ideal destination for agro-ecotourism connected with traditional fields and peri-urban villages. Visitors can experience cultivating and harvesting vegetables, fruits, and herbs at organic farms, coupled with cooking from fresh, clean ingredients. Destinations such as Bach Ma National Park offer sustainable agricultural experiences amidst green forest landscapes, while Phu Cam conical hat village and Thanh Tien paper flower village allow tourists to discover the harmony between agricultural production, traditional craft villages, and Hue's distinctive culture.

Binh Thuan: Binh Thuan is not only famous for beach tourism but also an attractive destination for agritourism thanks to specialty products such as dragon fruit, grapes, and cashews. Visitors can experience planting, caring for, and harvesting dragon fruit in Ham Thuan Nam—the country's dragon fruit "capital," tour Tuy Phong vineyards, and enjoy grape products in a coastal setting. In addition, visiting the Phan Thiet fish sauce craft village offers tourists the chance to learn about traditional production processes and savor local delicacies, creating a harmonious blend of agriculture, culture, and coastal tourism.

Central Highlands

Dak Lak: Dak Lak—Vietnam's coffee capital—is a prime destination for eco-agro tourism intertwined with Central Highlands culture. Visitors can tour coffee plantations, harvest, roast, grind, and savor coffee right in the orchards, while exploring the daily life of indigenous communities. In addition, eco-farms growing cocoa, black pepper, and cashews offer diverse experiences—from observing handmade chocolate processing to hand-picking peppercorns—creating an agricultural travel journey rich in identity and close to nature.

Lam Dong: Lam Dong, centered around Da Lat, stands out with its mild climate, poetic scenery, and characteristic highland agriculture. Visitors can experience strawberry harvesting, tour flower and organic vegetable farms, and learn about modern farming models such as hydroponics. Destinations such as artichoke farms, Da Lat Milk Farm, or Cau Dat Farm allow exploration of the entire agricultural value chain from cultivation and animal husbandry to processing and on-site tasting, creating a diverse and sustainable agro-ecotourism journey.

Southern Region

Phu Quoc: Renowned not only for its blue seas and white sands, Phu Quoc is also attractive for its eco-agricultural tourism and traditional craft villages. Visitors can tour pepper farms, vegetable and fruit orchards, pearl culture facilities, participate in harvests, and learn about production processes. The experiential journey becomes even richer with traditional fish sauce barrel houses, Vinpearl Organic Farm, and the Ngoc Hien pearl farm, combined with tasting sim wine and fresh seafood, delivering a distinctive and culturally rich island agricultural experience.

Mekong Delta: The Mekong Delta—the country's “agricultural heartland”—attracts visitors with distinctive farming experiences shaped by its waterways. Here, visitors can sow and transplant rice, harvest fruit, explore fish and shrimp farming operations, and immerse themselves in life in southwestern Vietnam. Highlights such as An Binh Islet (Vinh Long), Chau Doc Floating Fish Farm Village (An Giang), and the rice fields of Thap Muoi (Dong Thap) offer intimate, authentic experiences, combined with paddling along canals, enjoying rustic local cuisine, and learning about local customs. Ecological agritourism here enriches visitors' experiences while promoting sustainable development, protecting the environment, and creating livelihoods for local people.