Accordingly, from the beginning of November 2021 until now, international search volume for Vietnam tourism (air and accommodation) has tended to increase steadily. From the beginning of December 2021, the number of searches has surged significantly, especially after the launching of the pilot plan to welcome international tourists to 5 localities: Phu Quoc (in Kien Giang), Khanh Hoa, Da Nang, Quang Nam and Quang Ninh, following 2 years of COVID-19 time lapse.
In October 2021, the number of searches for airlines increased by approximately 15% over the same period in 2020. However, earlier in December 2020, it soared by 167% year-on-year, and by the end of December it went up again by 282%
Meanwhile, the number of searches for accommodation at the beginning of December 2021 also started to leap (+31%), and by the end of December, at certain points in time had reached over 67% year-on-year, and remained at a high level at the beginning of 2022.
Graph of international search volume for airlines to Vietnam
According to a report by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), within the pilot plan to welcome international tourists by the end of 2021, about 3,500 arrivals with ‘vaccine passports’ have been welcomed under package tours. Giving a speech at the ceremony to welcome the first international tourists back to Phu Quoc on November 20, 2021, VNAT Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh indicated that this event is an important launch step, mark a step forward in an effort to revive the Vietnamese tourism industry, aiming to gradually open up and develop the economy in the new context.
Graph of international search volume for accommodation to Vietnam
In November 2021, Vietnam National Administration of Tourism officially implemented a promotion campaign called ‘Live Fully Vietnam’ in association with the national tourism brand identity “Vietnam Timeless Charm” to attract international tourists to Vietnam, and promote Vietnam tourism on website https://vietnam.travel/ and social networks of the VNAT with interesting and useful information along with lively pictures.
On December 16, 2021, Ministry of Health issued the Official dispatch 10688/BYT-MT 2021 on the prevention of Covid-19 pandemic for people entering Vietnam. Accordingly, from January 1, 2022, travellers are required to provide a negative RT-PCR test from within the 72 hours prior to boarding. Fully vaccinated international tourists with negative COVID-19 RT-PCR test results would only need to self-monitor their health at home or their places of accommodation for 03 days when they enter Vietnam. Two RT-PCR tests will be conducted, on the first and third day of entry. If negative, entrants are still required to monitor their health for the next 11 days.
On January 7, Minister Pham Binh Minh assigned the Ministries of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Health, Public Security, National Defence, Foreign Affairs, Transport, Information and Communications and the People’s Committees of 7 provinces and cities: Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Dinh, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Quang Nam and Quang Ninh, along with other relevant agencies, based on their assigned functions, tasks and authorities to continue to take the initiative and implement a pilot programme to welcome international tourists to Vietnam with safety and efficiency assurance. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, according to its assigned functions, tasks and authorities, coordinates with ministries and sectors to study and adjust the temporary guidance on piloting to welcome international tourists to Vietnam to conform to current regulations.
These are favourable conditions for the Vietnamese tourism industry to keep moving forward and expanding to welcoming international tourists in the upcoming time, thus regaining its growth momentum with the aim to fully reopen.
