Lam Dong Welcomes Winter Escape Season

The Appeal of Distinct Experiences

In the final months of the year, the Mui Ne - Phan Thiet coastal region attracts tourists with warm sunshine, long stretches of beach, and vibrant water sports activities. This is also a season of favorable winds for kitesurfing and windsurfing, drawing international travelers seeking beach getaways to escape the cold.

Having visited Mui Ne multiple times, Anna Laeva, a tourist from Russia, shared that her family loves the warm climate, beautiful sea, appealing cuisine, and the friendliness of the locals. "In recent years, Mui Ne has almost always been our destination of choice for long vacations; we feel comfortable here, completely different from the freezing winter back home," Anna said.

For Louise Langel, a French tourist, everything felt novel and engaging during her first visit to this coastal region. "This is our first day here, and the natural surroundings are still quite pristine and fresh. We really love the weather here. I've heard about kitesurfing and saw quite a few people doing it; we are looking into it because my friend loves this sport, and perhaps we will give it a try in the next few days," she said.

The appeal of the eastern coastal region received further recognition when Mui Ne was named among Booking.com's top 10 trending destinations worldwide for 2026. Beyond its favorable climate, unique sand dune landscapes, and coastal fishing villages, Mui Ne also caters to the growing demand for personalized travel experiences, combining leisure with exploration and local cultural experiences.

From the sun-drenched coastal region, Da Lat attracts visitors with its cool climate, flower villages, coffee culture, and nature-based experiences, while the surrounding highlands and the distinctive cultures of indigenous ethnic communities offer further opportunities for exploration.

In Lam Dong province's development strategy, the Ham Tien - Mui Ne coastal zone is identified as a link between the highlands and the coastal region. From blue seas and sand dunes to mountains and highlands, each area has its own distinct character, together offering a wide range of travel experiences across the newly merged province of Lam Dong.

Attracting International Visitors During Peak Season

According to the Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism, in the first nine months of 2026, Vietnam welcomed nearly 17.68 million international visitor arrivals, an increase of 14.5% year-on-year. Notably, arrivals from Europe surged by 55%, with the Russian market alone accounting for over 1.1 million arrivals, up more than 160%. Growth in markets with demand for winter escapes opens up opportunities for destinations across the province.

In the first nine months of 2026, Lam Dong welcomed nearly 18.47 million visitors, up over 19% year-on-year; international arrivals reached nearly 1.095 million, an increase of 14.48%. The total number of international visitor-days reached nearly 3.5 million, up 17.64%, outpacing the growth rate in arrivals. This is a positive signal suggesting that the average length of stay has increased, creating further opportunities to develop resort-based tourism and experiential services for international travelers.

In addition, access to the province has improved with the reopening of Lien Khuong International Airport and the development of the expressway system connecting Phan Thiet with Ho Chi Minh City. With more than 83% of international visitors arriving in Vietnam by air—according to the Viet Nam National Authority of Tourism—maintaining and expanding flight connections is crucial to attracting travelers from potential markets. Meanwhile, convenient road connections help broaden travel options to the province's eastern coastal region.

The international tourist season running from October each year to the early months of the following year is an opportunity for Lam Dong to leverage its diverse advantages in climate, landscapes, and tourism products. To meet visitors' demands, many hotels and resorts have invested in upgrading their facilities and resort amenities, while training their staff to improve service quality.

In the eastern region of the province, numerous accommodation establishments have developed service packages combining leisure and wellness, while organizing seasonal activities to enhance the experience for long-stay guests.

Nguyen Dang Tam, General Manager of The Cliff Resort & Residences, stated that to better serve tourists escaping the winter, the resort began preparations immediately after the peak summer tourist season. "We are developing a plan to organize a series of activities during the year-end festival season, especially the Christmas and New Year celebrations. At the same time, we focus on making the most of our warm, sunny climate, developing beach resort experiences combined with cultural experiences, exploring local life, and savoring local cuisine."

With a target of welcoming 1.58 million international visitors in 2026, and alongside efforts to enhance service quality and develop products tailored to each market, the tourism sector continues to step up promotional activities in key markets while expanding its reach into potential markets in Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East.

By diversifying its markets, developing attractive tourism packages, and improving destination quality, Lam Dong aims to strengthen its appeal to international visitors, particularly those seeking extended stays.