Digital travel platform Agoda today revealed indications of a rebound in Lunar New Year travel interest among visitors from mainland China to Vietnam during one of the peak travel periods in the Asia Pacific calendar.
Agoda’s search data has revealed that, across the Lunar New Year period, searches from China to Vietnam have almost entirely recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with 2024 interest at 95% of 2020 – the Lunar New Year period that immediately preceded the travel restrictions of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Searches from China to Vietnam have almost entirely recovered to pre-pandemic levels, with 2024 interest at 95% of 2020 (Source: Internet)
“In 2019, mainland Chinese were Vietnam’s number 1 source of travelers, accounting for almost a third of total travelers coming into Vietnam that year according to the Tourism Ministry. Our search numbers for Tet this year coming just shy of pre-pandemic levels is promising news for Vietnam’s tourism industry,” said Lam Vu, Country Director Vietnam at Agoda. “Still, Vietnam is also to be commended on its ability to widen its appeal to alternate origin markets – notably India and South Korea – in the years since reopening with favorable visa restrictions. This diversification of visitors ultimately saw Vietnam reach its initial 2023 total visitor target within the first three quarters of the year in 2023 according to the General Statistics Office. The resurgent interest from visitors from our northern neighbor provides a positive sign for visitor trends in the Year of the Dragon.”
In 2020, the strong affinity Chinese travelers held for Vietnam’s rich cultural heritage and scenic landscapes led to China heading Vietnam inbound search tourism ranks. However, the onset of lockdowns in 2021 caused a halt of Chinese visitors. Due to cautious border reopenings, 2022 and 2023 witnessed only 3% of the 2020 search levels.
In 2024, Agoda insights show a near total rebound of accommodation searches from China to Vietnam, with figures reaching 95% of the 2020 figures during the Lunar New Year festivities. This resurgence underscores the resilience of the travel industry and highlights the enduring appeal of Vietnam as a premier destination for Chinese travelers.
This year, the travel landscape is seeing a slight shift with Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Hanoi, Nha Trang, Da Nang, and the enchanting Phu Quoc Island emerging as the top choices currently for Chinese travelers, compared to HCMC, Nha Trang, Hanoi, Danang, and Phan Thiet in 2020.
“We are thrilled to witness the return of Chinese traveler interest to Vietnam,” said Lam Vu. “Vietnam’s diverse attractions, coupled with its warm hospitality, continue to captivate the hearts of travelers worldwide. Agoda offers great deals for Chinese travelers exploring beyond their own borders, and we remain committed to empowering travelers with seamless booking experiences and personalized recommendations, helping travelers see the world for less.”
About the data:
Vietnam tourism statistics from: https://vietnamtourism.gov.vn/en/statistic/international?year=2019&period=t12
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/travel/vietnam-achieves-2023-foreign-tourist-target-4658834.html
All Agoda data based on searches for Lunar New Year in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
About Agoda:
Agoda, a digital travel platform, helps anyone see the world for less with its great value deals on a global network of 4M hotels and holiday properties worldwide, plus flights, activities, and more. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 39 languages and supported by 24/7 customer support.
Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG) and employs more than 6,900 staff in 26 markets, dedicated to leveraging best-in-class technology to make travel even easier.
