Vietnam records moderate inbound tourism recovery after reopening: Google

Data from Google searches showed inbound travel demand into Vietnam last month stood at 55 percent of pre-pandemic levels, lower than that of the Philippines (104 percent), Indonesia (94 percent) and Singapore (64 percent), deemed to experience "fast" rebound.

Search volumes for inbound tourism into Vietnam between March 27 and April 2 grew by 84 percent compared to the same period in 2019, the year before the onset of Covid-19.

Google’s internal data further revealed a 40 percent share of inbound tourism from the U.S. and Canada went to the Philippines and Vietnam.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s biggest metropolises, were the most searched tourist destinations.

Google Asia-Pacific Travel Lead Hermione Joye said staycations and traveling to meet loved ones had driven travel growth in the region thanks to the dropping of travel restrictions, reopening of borders, as well as the easing of quarantine and testing restrictions.

Vietnam initially reopened international tourism from November last year, but only allowed quarantine-free entry and resumed its visa exemption policy from March 15.

Foreigners entering Vietnam now only need to furnish a negative Covid-19 test certificate.