Dong Nai tourism and expectations for 2026

In 2026, Dong Nai Province aims to attract approximately 5.8 million visitors, representing an 11.5 percent increase from 2025. Tourism service revenue is projected to reach approximately 4.5 trillion VND, representing a 15.3 percent year-over-year increase.

Tourists cycling through the forest while visiting Ta Thiet Base. Photo: Ngoc Lien

To achieve these targets, the provincial tourism sector is focusing on a range of solutions, including stepping up communication and promotion of the province’s tourism guidelines, policies and products; mobilizing resources to invest in tourism infrastructure and technical facilities; promoting the development of tourism products; and strengthening linkages among resources to help the local tourism industry “take off.”

Preserving and promoting existing values

Dong Nai has strengths in forest-based ecotourism, waterfalls and lakes, with hundreds of thousands of hectares of forests and reservoirs, along with many beautiful waterfalls and well-known destinations such as Cat Tien National Park, Bu Gia Map National Park, Mai Waterfall – Bau Nuoc Soi Tourist Area, and the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve. In addition, the province is home to historical and spiritual sites and popular recreational areas, including the revolutionary relic site of Zone D, the Special National Relic of the Headquarters of the Liberation Army of South Vietnam (Ta Thiet Base), Tran Bien Temple of Literature, Nguyen Huu Canh Temple, Son Tien Ecotourism City, Suoi Mo Tourist Area, and Buu Long Tourist Area.

In recent years, tourism sites and destinations across the province have continuously improved service quality and destination promotion to better serve visitors for sightseeing and relaxation. Notably, following the provincial merger, Dong Nai’s tourism development space has expanded, adding further value to the local tourism sector.

According to the 2026 Tourism Development Plan for Dong Nai Province issued by the Provincial Steering Committee for Tourism Development, in 2026, the tourism sector must continue to concretize the province’s socio-economic development orientations in tourism, turning tourism into an important economic sector that contributes to GRDP growth and creates stable jobs for local people.

According to the 2026 Tourism Development Plan for Dong Nai Province issued by the Provincial Steering Committee for Tourism Development, in 2026, the tourism sector must continue to concretize the province’s socio-economic development orientations in tourism, turning tourism into an important economic sector that contributes to GRDP growth and creates stable jobs for local people.

Located in the border commune of Loc Thanh, Ta Thiet Base has become one of the most popular “back-to-the-roots” destinations, attracting a large number of students and residents. In recent times, many schools across the province have chosen Ta Thiet Base as a field trip destination for students, using the opportunity to educate them about the revolutionary struggle, as well as the solidarity and patriotism of the Vietnamese army and people.

Nguyen Ngoc Hien, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Loc Thanh Commune, stated that alongside the historical site of Ta Thiet Base, Loc Thanh is aiming to develop tourism based on its existing strengths, such as forest ecotourism, rural agricultural tourism, and visits to border markers. According to Hien, several households in the commune are currently engaged in clean agriculture, cultivating fruit trees such as dates and longan, as well as other agricultural products that can be integrated into tourism activities. This feature presents an opportunity for Loc Thanh to encourage households to expand clean agricultural practices in connection with tourism development. In addition, the commune is also working to promote the cultural values of local ethnic minority communities, such as five-tone music, traditional musical instruments, and folk dances of the Khmer people, to cater to tourists when demand arises.

Building green destinations

To build Dong Nai as a “green – safe – attractive – sustainable” destination, the Provincial Steering Committee for Tourism Development is focusing on improving the quality of tourism products and services and enhancing competitiveness. At the same time, it promotes digital transformation in management, promotion, and visitor experiences. The province will capitalize on its advantages in natural resources, cultural and historical assets, heritage, and experiential agriculture to serve tourists. In addition, Dong Nai’s tourism sector is strengthening regional linkages, attracting investment, and developing a qualified, professional tourism workforce.

Tourists check in at the forest area within Ta Thiet Base, Loc Thanh Commune. Photo: Ngoc Lien

As the standing agency of the Provincial Steering Committee for Tourism Development, Ms. Le Thi Ngoc Loan, Member of the Provincial Party Committee and Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said that in recent times, Dong Nai’s tourism sector has focused on promoting tourism promotion and marketing programs to stimulate demand and attract visitors. With messages such as “Vietnamese People Travel Vietnam,” “Dong Nai – A Safe Destination,” “Dong Nai – Nature Invites,” and “Dong Nai – Come to Feel,” the tourism sector has achieved impressive results, with many tourism products winning international awards. These include the Ta Lai Community Tourism Product (Ta Lai Commune), which received the Southeast Asia Responsible Tourism Award 2025 from the  International Centre for Responsible Tourism – Southeast Asia (ICRT-SEA); the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve being recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park; and Cat Tien Jungle Lodge being honored among the World’s 10 Best Boutique Hotels 2025 (International Business Association). Notably, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has officially recognized Cat Tien National Park as the 72nd protected area worldwide to be included in the IUCN Green List.

This accomplishment represents a significant step forward in nature conservation and biodiversity protection in Vietnam as a whole and in Dong Nai in particular, contributing to the development of ecotourism.

Le Thi Ngoc Loan emphasized that in 2026, Dong Nai will continue to disseminate the new guiding viewpoints of the Party and the State on tourism development, ensuring that officials, civil servants, public employees, and tourism-related units fully understand the position and role of tourism in the province's socio-economic development. At the same time, the province will carry out communication campaigns to raise awareness and promote action among tourism service providers regarding cultural behavior, civilized and courteous attitudes, and a spirit of friendliness and hospitality in receiving and serving tourists. These efforts will be implemented through training courses, media coverage in newspapers and on broadcasting channels, conferences, and electronic information portals.

By Ngoc Lien – Translated by Trieu Ngan, Minho