Google Reveals Growing International Search Volume for Vietnam Tourism

According to the latest report into the recovery of domestic travel demand in Southeast Asia conducted by Google Asia Pacific travel, Vietnamese cities of My Tho and Bac Ninh have been listed among the most searched destinations in Vietnam by foreigners, reported VOV.

The report said that people seeking tourism information in Vietnam mostly came from the United States, Australia, France, Singapore, and Japan. Alongside Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the two cities witnessed a drastic rise of 75% in terms of searches.

Most notably, the number of international visitors to Vietnam in March increased by 41.4% month on month and 220% year on year, reported by the General Statistics Office. In the first quarter of the year, Vietnam welcomed roughly 91,000 international visitors, an annual rise of 89.1%.

Son Doong Cave. (Source: Lao Dong Online)

According to CPV Online, globally, Vietnam holds the position of one of the few countries with the highest growth rate, reaching over 75%; In which, the number of searches about aviation to Vietnam from the beginning of March 2022 has skyrocketed. If on March 1 increased 283% over the same period in 2021, by March 15, it increased to 386%; by the beginning of April 2022, it skyrocketed to 600% and by mid-April, it reached an increase of 800% compared to the same period last year.

It is also observed that the international search volume for accommodation in Vietnam also shows a clear growth trend. As of March 1, the search volume increased by 27% over the same period. By the beginning of April 2022, the figure jumped to 114% compared to the same period in 2021.

On March 15, the country fully reopened to international tourism. This move has paved the way for both inbound and outbound tourists to travel to and from by air, road, rail, and sea. On March 15, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has issued Plan No. 829/PA-BVHTTDL on resumption of tourism in the new normal.

CPV Online mentioned that Vietnam’s tourism industry has made efforts to organize a series of events to stimulate tourism demand, and restart tourism activities across the country. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism have presided over and coordinated with localities to organize many activities. Some include a conference to officially launch the reopening of Vietnam’s tourism on March 22 in Quang Ninh, the opening ceremony of the National Tourism Year 2022 in Quang Nam on March 26, the Kon Tum Tourism Development Forum, VITM Hanoi International Tourism Fair 2022, along with a series of conferences, forums to stimulate demand, promote tourism in localities.

Meanwhile, SEAGAMES 31 is about to take place in Vietnam. Currently, the National Administration of Tourism is also coordinating with the General Department of Physical Education and Sports and related units to promote communication and tourism in Vietnam to sports delegations, regional and international tourists.

A resort in Vietnam. (Source: CPV Online)

According to the Google survey, experts also say that the booming tourism demand in Southeast Asia is just the beginning since major destinations such as China and Japan have not yet reopened. “This is a critical time for the tourism industry. Travelers are having higher expectations, including digital experiences throughout their journey. However, they are also willing to spend a lot of money and time on travelling, compared to the past”, said the survey.

The Google report also notes that Vietnamese people are gradually becoming more comfortable with traveling abroad. In 2019, Vietnamese people’s intention to travel abroad was only 25%; this number doubled to 50% by March 2022.

According to statistics, major cities such as Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai, Paris, Osaka, and New Delhi lead the search trends of Vietnamese tourists when choosing foreign travel destinations./.