From December 2021, the number of international searches about Vietnam sees an increase of 374% over the same period last year. (Photo: VNA)

According to the latest data from Google Destination Insights, the number of international searches about Vietnam started to increase from December 2021, skyrocketing from the end of December 2021 to the beginning of January 2022.

Since the beginning of 2022, the international search volume for Vietnam's aviation has remained at a very high level. On January 21, an increase of 425% was recorded, while February 3 saw a rise of 374% over the same period last year.

The search volume for accommodation facilities also started to grow from the beginning of December 2021, marking an average increase of 42%, and on Feb. 1, 86%, compared to the same period in 2021.

People from the US, Australia, Russia, France, Germany, Japan have the most search for tourism in Vietnam. Meanwhile, regarding destination, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc receive the most search.

According to experts, the trend is explained by Vietnam's pilot program to reopen tourism for international customers. The launch of "Live fully in Vietnam," a campaign aiming to invite more foreign tourists to Vietnam, also leads to the surge.

The first private flight from Europe to Phu Quoc after nearly 2 years Vietnam temporarily stopped welcoming international tourists due to the pandemic. (Photo: Vietnam Tourism)

Together with that, Lunar New Year witness a rise in demand for travel. Meanwhile, the pandemic situation in the country is under good control, herd immunity has been reached, entertainment activities are recovering.

Recently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has proposed to fully open international tourism activities from March 31, 2022. The industry is expecting that the decision will create favorable conditions for Vietnam's tourism to recover strongly in 2022.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had assigned the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tuesday to work with relevant agencies to announce a roadmap for full tourism resumption soon. Earlier this month, the PM asked authorities to prepare for reopening the borders to foreign tourists no later than the end of April and ideally at the end of March.

With borders closed, the number of foreign arrivals had plunged by 96 percent last year.

Khanh Hoa welcomes Russian tourists. (Photo: VNA)

The government started allowing foreign tourists under a vaccine passport program last November. So far, nearly 9,000 foreign arrivals have been welcomed under the program with several pre-set conditions and constraints, half of them Vietnamese overseas coming to see their relatives. Under the program, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Quang Nam, Quang Ninh, and Binh Dinh provinces, along with Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang City are the only localities foreign tourists can visit.

According to the latest report of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), 2022 will witness a strong resurgence of the global tourism industry if governments remain open and travel restrictions are relaxed. Tourism is forecasted to boost worldwide economic recovery, in which the tourism industry can contribute US$ 8.6 trillion (only 6.4% lower than before the pandemic) and create more than 58 million jobs.

“As people start to travel again, governments must implement simplified rules, including the use of technical solutions,” said Julia Simpson, President, and CEO of WTTC. "Future travel should be contactless while still being safe.”

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