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As part of the opening activities, a welcoming ceremony was held at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) attended by the Malaysian Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, YB Dato Sri Tiong King Sing. This program was also implemented simultaneously at 52 border crossings and key areas across 13 states of Malaysia, demonstrating Malaysia's comprehensive readiness to welcome and serve both international and domestic tourists.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister Dato Sri Tiong King Sing emphasized: “Visit Malaysia 2026 is not just a tourism promotion campaign, but also a shared effort and pride of the entire nation. This is how Malaysia demonstrates its solidarity, warmth, and diverse cultural identity to the international community. Welcoming visitors on the first day of 2026 reaffirms our commitment to providing innovative, creative, and friendly travel experiences throughout the year.”
The New Year's Day celebrations in Malaysia on the first day of 2026 made a strong impression on visitors through traditional art performances, street music, contemporary shows incorporating heritage elements, and the appearance of the official Visit Malaysia 2026 mascots, Wira and Manja. Visitors also received special edition VM2026 souvenirs, contributing to spreading the image of Malaysia as a friendly, youthful, and experience-rich destination.
Meanwhile, in Vietnam, the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board in Ho Chi Minh City, in collaboration with Malaysia Airlines, organized a special event for the first passengers departing for Malaysia in 2026. This event is symbolic, demonstrating the important role of the Vietnamese market in Malaysia's overall tourism growth plan.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Amirah Nadiah Mazlan, Director of the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Agency's Ho Chi Minh City Office, said: “Vietnam is one of Malaysia’s key markets. We are honored to welcome our first visitors today and believe they will have memorable experiences in Malaysia. In 2026, Malaysia is ready to welcome Vietnamese tourists with hospitality, cultural diversity and unique itineraries.”
Currently, there are 189 flights operating daily between Vietnam and Malaysia, with a total capacity of approximately 34,750 seats per day, reflecting strong air connectivity and growing tourism demand between the two countries. This is an important foundation for promoting bilateral tourism exchange within the framework of Visit Malaysia 2026.
With its vision of becoming a comprehensive destination, Malaysia offers a wealth of experiences to meet the diverse needs of international tourists, ranging from family vacations, cultural and heritage exploration, beach and island tourism, eco-tourism and adventure, to shopping, dining and vibrant urban entertainment in centers such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru.
As part of Visit Malaysia 2026, the country will host over 300 events and activities throughout the year, celebrating its multicultural identity, artistic heritage, and unique festival traditions. Highlights include large-scale festivals such as Lunar New Year VM2026, Aidilfitri VM2026, Deepavali VM2026, Christmas VM2026, along with iconic state cultural festivals like Tadau Ka'amatan in Sabah and Gawai in Sarawak.
With this special national campaign, Malaysia aims to attract 43 million international visitors, further solidifying tourism's role as one of the nation's key economic drivers. Featuring the theme song "Surreal Experiences," the campaign will showcase a series of festivals, cultural programs, exhibitions, and community activities throughout 2026.
Beyond simply boosting tourism growth, Visit Malaysia 2026 is also expected to create a positive ripple effect on related sectors such as hotels, aviation, retail, food and beverage, and services, while generating jobs, enhancing the national image, and providing tangible benefits to local communities. The campaign also emphasizes a sustainable tourism development strategy, aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs).
