Global searches for Vietnamese accommodation have jumped 15-30% from late November 2024 to January this year compared to 2023. The momentum continued into early February 2025, with searches climbing 30-45%.
Vietnam has shown strong appeal to international visitors. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) -💯 Vietnam has shown strong appeal to international visitors, with recent Google search data revealing a significant surge in foreigners’ travel-related queries over the past three months, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT)’s Tourism Information Technology Centre.
Global searches for Vietnamese accommodation have jumped 15-30% from late November 2024 to January this year compared to 2023. The momentum continued into early February 2025, with searches climbing 30-45%.
The US was the leading source of international interest, followed by Australia, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the UK, Canada, Germany, and Malaysia, representing Vietnam’s core tourism markets across Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe and North America.
The most searched Vietnamese destinations were Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, Hoi An, Da Lat, Phan Thiet, Hue, and Vung Tau.
Foreign visitors at the Temple of Literature (Photo: VNA)
This digital enthusiasm has translated into concrete visitor numbers, with January 2025 marking a historic milestone as Vietnam welcomed 2.1 million international tourists—shattering the record of nearly 2 million set in January 2020. This represents an 18.5% month-over-month increase and a remarkable 36.9% year-over-year growth, attributed to the country's progressive visa policies and breakthrough promotional campaigns.
With a view to boosting tourism prospects, the Government issued a resolution on January 15, waiving visas for the citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland for a temporary stay of up to 45 days. The policy, taking effect from March 1 to December 31, 2025, is expected to help Vietnam lure more visitors from those countries.
The tourism industry eyes to host some 22-23 million international visitors and 120-130 million domestic tourists and gain 980 trillion - 1.05 quadrillion VND (38.4 billion – 41.14 billion USD) in tourism revenue. By 2030, the sector aims to welcome 35 million international and 160 million domestic visitors, establishing tourism as an economic spearhead.
VNAT Deputy Director Ha Van Sieu outlined the measures for market expansion, emphasising visa-free countries with direct flight connections and high growth potential. Besides, he said the industry plans to develop premium products, including MICE and golf tourism, while investing in workforce development and digital transformation to achieve these goals./.
Tourism revenue in January is estimated at 5.1 trillion VND, up 17.3% compared to the same period last year, driven by high travel demand from both domestic and international holiday-makers on New Year occasion.
During the nine-day holiday, localities across the country welcomed nearly 12.5 million domestic travellers, a 19% increase from the same period in 2024. Several provinces and cities recorded tourism revenues exceeding 1 trillion VND.
Hanoi ranks seventh among the top 10 domestic destinations for the Lunar New Year (Tet) 2025, according to one of the world's leading online travel platforms Booking.com.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
