Hanoi sees 90% surge in travel searches from China

THE HANOI TIMES — Searches by Chinese travelers for trips to Vietnam rose 90% year-on-year in July and August, with interest in Hanoi up 89% from the same period last year, according to Agoda.

The travel website attributed this surge to enhanced air connectivity, especially the introduction of new direct routes linking Hanoi with several major Chinese cities, including Ningbo, Chengdu, Shanghai and Xi’an. “The availability of direct flights has significantly improved travel convenience, positioning Hanoi as a standout destination for Chinese tourists,” Agoda explained.

Meanwhile, data from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) also support this trend. China was Vietnam’s largest source of international arrivals in August, accounting for approximately 25% of total inbound visitors. Between January and August 2025, the number of Chinese arrivals reached 3.53 million, a 144.3% increase over the same period in 2024.

Vu Ngoc Lam, Country Director of Agoda Vietnam, said that Vietnam is increasingly appealing to Chinese travelers thanks to improved air connectivity, offering them opportunities to explore the country’s diverse cultural and natural attractions. At the same time, Vietnamese tourists are showing heightened interest in discovering China’s cities and heritage sites.

Tourism experts highlight that with competitive pricing and short flight durations, the tourism potential between Vietnam and China remains substantial. They note that sustained growth will depend on continued aviation cooperation, the introduction of new direct routes, and increased flight frequency.

Additionally, the rising interest of Vietnamese travelers in Chinese destinations presents new opportunities for domestic tour operators, strengthening cross-border tourism.