Searches for Vietnam grow fastest before full tourism reopening

By Trung Nghia February 26, 2022 | 05:04 pm PT

Foreign tourists ride a roller coaster in Phu Quoc Island during the Lunar New Year holiday in February 2022. Photo by VnExpress/Phuong Thao

The frequency of international searches on Vietnam's tourism between December and February grew the fastest in the world at 75 percent as the country prepares to fully reopen inbound tourism next month.

Vietnam was followed by Chile with a growth rate of over 50 percent, and New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Bulgaria and Croatia with over 25 percent, according to data from Google's Destination Insights.

Ten countries with the highest number of searches on Vietnam tourism were Russia, the U.S., Australia, India, Singapore, Japan, the U.K., France, Malaysia and South Korea.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s busiest metropolis, was the most searched destination by international visitors, followed by Hanoi, Da Lat, Phu Quoc and Nha Trang.

Vietnam has resumed commercial flights to 20 of 28 countries and territories that it operated direct flights to before the pandemic.

The country also ended all restrictions on international flights on Feb. 15.

From March 15, Vietnam will reopen inbound and outbound tourism under new normal conditions, with foreign tourists allowed to visit the country without booking tour packages.