Vietnam's Travel & Tourism Profile is Red Hot in 2026 - So What Happens Next?

"Even if 75% of what Vietnam is planning comes together, it won't just become the second-biggest economy in South East Asia but one of the Top 20 worldwide." Vietnam's ambitious national transformation involves major expansion of its travel, tourism and transportation sectors - and huge investment is being staked by the government and its largest companies. But there is confusion.... On the one hand, Vietnam has set an official target of 50 million annual arrivals by 2030, while also making a pledge that tourism strategy will target high-spending visitors. Meanwhile, it welcomed more than 2 million inbound visitors in each of the first four months of 2026 for the first time. So, what happens next? This week, Gary and Hannah take a deep dive into all things Vietnam with special guest Mike Tatarski, Ho Chi Minh City-based founder of Vietnam Weekly. We cover a lot of ground, including the continuing development of resorts, theme parks and MICE facilities on the island of Phu Quoc, which will host the 2027 APEC Summit. We look at which inbound markets are driving growth, with China, India, South Korea and other ASEAN nations all playing their part. Plus, we asses the high cost of domestic flights and the changing digital payments landscape. And, we ask when the much-touted North-South High Speed Railway will start construction? When will the giant new Long Thanh International Airport actually open? How will passengers actually getting to and from it, and which airlines will be the first to take off and land?