The promising post-Covid-19 pandemic recovery in the tourism industry is having a positive effect on high-end resort tourism in Vietnam, with analysts noting rising demand and forecasting a bright future for the industry.

Demand was pent-up for two years during Covid-19, so when the tourism sector recently reopened, many people immediately set out on holidays. In the first five months of this year, tourist attractions welcomed 48.6 million domestic tourists. In May alone, there were 12 million travelers, up 243 per cent over the same period of 2021. In particular, according to data from Google Destination Insights, searches for “best luxury hotel” have risen 71 per cent in Vietnam.

“The Covid-19 pandemic awakened demand for high-end resort tourism among Vietnamese tourists,” said Ms. Nguyen Thu Phuong, Director of Indochina Pride Travel. “While in the past, guests booking rooms at 5-star hotels and luxury resorts were mainly foreigners, Vietnamese guests have now regained their ‘host’ status.”

During the summer 2022 tourist season, domestic tourists have preferred 4 and 5-star hotels and resorts. On online booking platforms Agoda and Booking.com, many places do not have vacancies on weekends until the end of July and weekdays are also gradually being booked out.

The rising number of people eager to travel not only makes the tourism sector “awaken” from its slumber but also “wakes up” the hotel and accommodation industry. In the first four months of this year, six 5-star accommodation establishments and seven 4-star accommodation establishments were launched. As of February, 64 regional and international hotel brands had a presence in Vietnam, and the number is expected to increase in the quarters to come.