Three trends shaping Vietnam's tourism in 2024

The trend of green tourism, combined with cultural exploration or music events, is expected to help Vietnam's tourism industry develop.​

The President of Traveloka, Mr. Caesar Indra, remarked that Vietnam's tourism sector is experiencing remarkable growth, contributing 6.24% to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first 9 months of the year. "This contribution, especially from domestic tourism, is crucial during a time of global economic instability," according to Mr. Indra.

The representative of Southeast Asia's leading travel platform also pointed out trends that are currently "shaping the Vietnamese tourism market" for the coming year. Mr. Caesar stated that these predictions are based on data and user experiences on the application.

Tourism connected to events and music nights has been one of the prominent trends recently. The concert of the band Blackpink in Hanoi "is an excellent example." The event attracted a doubled increase in bookings on the Traveloka application compared to a week before the event took place. The two nights of Blackpink's performances not only drew travelers from other provinces and cities in Vietnam but also attracted guests from Asian countries.

According to estimates from the Hanoi Department of Tourism, during the two nights of the BlackPink concert, the total number of tourists visiting Hanoi was about over 170,000, with tourism revenue exceeding 600 billion VND. The number of flight bookings to Hanoi at that time increased tenfold.

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The music night of the Blackpink group in Hanoi on July 29. Photo: Hà Thu

"Event tourism brings significant opportunities to the tourism industry, attracting a large portion of the young traveler demographic," Mr. Caesar said.

This trend continues to develop in Vietnam, with the Westlife band set to perform in Ho Chi Minh City on November 21-22. Mr. Caesar predicts that the two performances of this famous band may create a strong wave for local tourism. "As the event day approaches, the number of customers booking services through the platform increases significantly."

Mr. Caesar Indra expressed his hope that many international stars will come to Vietnam in the future, boosting tourism through music nights.

The trend of sustainable tourism is also on the rise, seen as a positive tourism trend. Data from Traveloka shows a notable shift in tourists' preferences. "Young travelers tend to minimize their impact on the environment, seeking green experiences and accommodations during their trips," Mr. Caesar noted.

Destinations such as Ninh Binh and Hoi An have seen significant increases in searches and service bookings. These spots are favored for their natural beauty, preserved cultural heritage, eco-friendly accommodations, and experiences that connect with local people. The demand for accommodation from travelers to Ninh Binh in the first half of 2023 increased dramatically by over 80% compared to 2022.

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Vietnamese tourists participating in a cycling experience exploring Thung Nham, Ninh Binh. Photo: Hoàng Lệ Quyên

Tourism related to cultural exploration is also a key trend in Vietnam. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam has initiated a project to build a national tourism brand centered on culture. The specific goal in the Strategy for the Development of Vietnam's Cultural Industries until 2020, with a vision until 2030, is to develop cultural tourism to account for 10-15% of the 8 billion USD total tourism revenue and strive to reach 15-20% of the 40 billion USD total tourism revenue by 2030.

According to user data analysis on Traveloka, the destinations like Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Da Lat, Nha Trang, and Hue are sought after by many tourists looking to explore local culture.

Mr. Caesar Indra stated that the platform is also focusing on "enriching destination information" to allow tourists to learn more about the culture of the places they visit. For example, when tourists search for the keyword "Phu Quoc" on the application, they can view information about cultural heritage and a compilation of suitable tourism experience activities, promoting cultural exploration right from the local level.

Source: https://vnexpress.net/ba-xu-huong-dinh-hinh-du-lich-viet-nam-2024-4672215.html