Vietnam's Nha Trang city tops search rankings among Koreans
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.
Vietnam's Nha Trang city has been designated as the most preferred summer destination for Korean travelers. (Photo: baokhanhhoa.vn)
Seoul (VNA) - The coastal city of Nha Trang in Vietnam’s south-central ꧙province of Khanh Hoa, has emerged as the most sought-after summer destination for travellers from the Republic of Korea (RoK), according to digital travel platform Agoda.
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. Tokyo, which topped the rankings last year, has slipped to the second place.
Other cities rounding out the top five international destinations favoured by Korean tourists this year include Fukuoka and Osaka in Japan, as well as Da Nang in Vietnam.
Agoda noted that Vietnam and Japan have maintained their status as the most popular outbound travel choices for Korean holidaymakers in the first half of 2025. Industry analysts attribute this trend to rising global travel costs, which are prompting tourists to favour affordable short-haul destinations.
Interest in Chinese destinations has also seen a significant spike, with search volumes for Qingdao and Shanghai increasing by 212% and 207%, respectively. The surge is likely linked to China’s temporary visa exemption for Korean nationals which was introduced in November last year.
Domestically, Jeju Island remains the most searched destination within the RoK, followed by Seoul, Busan, Sokcho, and Gangneung. Sokcho and Gangneung have seen increased attention as prominent summer retreats, particularly since the launch of the Donghae rail line late last year, which has markedly improved transport access.
An Agoda representative observed that, with forecasts predicting intense heatwaves and an extended rainy season this summer, many Korean travellers are choosing to plan their holidays earlier than usual.
Adding to Nha Trang's appeal, Vietnam Airlines officially launched a direct daily service between Busan and Nha Trang on June 1. This marks the airline’s second direct route connecting the RoK with Nha Trang, complementing its successful Seoul–Nha Trang service. Improved air connectivity is widely seen as a key driver behind the city’s surging popularity among Korean tourists./.
National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines inaugurated a new direct air service linking Busan - the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s second-largest city with Nha Trang, the renowned beach destination in Vietnam’s central province of Khanh Hoa on June 1.
In anticipation of the upcoming peak tourism season, Nha Trang is preparing to host the 2025 Sea Cultural and Tourism Festival under the theme "Nha Trang say hi". The month-long festival, starting in late May, will feature 36 cultural, sporting and artistic events.
Data from Booking.com on destination searches by Vietnamese travelers for the Valentine period (check-in dates from February 14-16) shows that Da Nang is the most sought-after destination, with a remarkable increase of 62% compared to the same period last year.
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.
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.
The tour is scheduled to run every weekend from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a variety of activities, including temple rituals, traditional music performances, water puppetry, 3D mapping shows, calligraphy, local cuisine tasting, and handicraft workshops.
