Vietnam "rises" on the world tourism map: from my Maldives trip to the 2025 explosion

Hey everyone! Tram here, just back from my Singapore-Thailand-Hong Kong trip and noticed something interesting: everywhere I went, from airport lounges to tour booking counters, I kept seeing "Vietnam" posters appearing surprisingly often. Then while sitting at a coffee shop overlooking Marina Bay in Singapore, I overheard two Australians planning a 3-week Vietnam trip - "personalized experiences," "eco-tourism," "wellness retreats"...As someone who has been to Maldives, Singapore, Thailand many times, I realized: Vietnam is transforming from a "hidden gem" to a "must-visit destination". Today let's analyze what's happening with our homeland's tourism industry.

"stunning" numbers: Vietnam search volume explodes

Google statistics that made me "freeze"

Search increase levels:

• 15-45% compared to same period last year on Google
• Top interested markets: USA, Australia, India, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Germany, UK
• Hot keywords: "personalized Vietnam tours," "eco-tourism Vietnam," "wellness travel Vietnam"

insights from personal travel experience: when I was in Maldives last year, I met a German family. They said they were planning their next trip to Vietnam because they "wanted to experience authentic culture instead of just lying on beaches." That was a sign of the big trend.

Why now? Factors pushing Vietnam into the "spotlight"

From a travel enthusiast's perspective:Factor 1: extremely "photogenic" visual content

• From Ha Long Bay to Sapa rice terraces, from Hoi An lanterns to Phu Quoc sunsets
• Social media creates powerful viral effects

Factor 2: excellent value for money

• Compared to Maldives (I experienced $800/night resorts), Vietnam offers luxury at 1/3 the price
• Authentic experiences without "emptying your wallet"

Factor 3: diverse experiences in one country

• All types: beaches, mountains, culture, cuisine, adventure
• Unlike Maldives with only resort life or Singapore with just city breaks

Trend 1: personalized experiences - travelers want their own stories

Reality I observed from trips

From my Singapore experience, I see today's travelers don't want to "follow the crowd" anymore. They want unique stories to tell.What foreign guests really want:

• Traditional craft villages: not just watching but doing (pottery in Bat Trang, silk weaving in Van Phuc)
• Local cuisine: from street food tours to cooking classes with local families
• Adventure activities: trekking Sapa, cave exploration Phong Nha, motorbike riding Ha Giang
• Homestay experiences: living with locals, understanding real life

Personal insight: when I was in Thailand, I saw many tour operators starting to copy this model from Vietnam. Proof that we're leading the trend, not following.

Real experience examples

Homestay in Mai Chau:

• Living with White Thai families
• Learning traditional weaving techniques
• Participating in farming, feeding chickens
• Evening storytelling around the fire

Cooking class in Hoi An:

• Market shopping with the host family
• Learning to make cao lau, banh mi, che
• Understanding history through each dish

Trend 2: green tourism - environmental awareness spreading

Reality I witnessed

In Singapore, I met a group of German millennials researching "carbon-neutral Vietnam trips." They cared about:

• Transportation emissions
• Environmentally friendly accommodation
• Supporting local communities
• Avoiding single-use plastics

Hottest eco-tourism destinations:Northern region:

• Sapa: community-based tourism with ethnic minorities
• Ha Giang: responsible motorbike tours, respecting nature
• Mai Chau: authentic homestays, participating in agricultural work

Central region:

• Phong Nha: cave exploration with conservation awareness
• Hoi An: plastic-free initiatives, cycling instead of motorbikes

Southern region:

• Mekong Delta: sustainable river tours, organic farms
• Can Tho: floating market experiences, learning about local agriculture

Farm stays - trending "hot" now

Why attractive:

• Experiencing real Vietnamese farmer life
• Learning to grow vegetables, raise animals
• Enjoying food straight from the garden
• Taking photos in naturally "Instagram-worthy" settings

Real example in Da Lat:

• Staying at strawberry farms, hand-picking strawberries
• Learning to make jam, strawberry wine
• Participating in greenhouse flower care
• Early morning cloud watching, drinking garden coffee

Trend 3: wellness tourism - Vietnam becomes a "healing destination"

Why Vietnam attracts wellness tourism?

Natural advantages:

• Beautiful environments: mountains, seas, hot springs
• Traditional medicine: massage, herbal medicine, acupuncture
• Reasonable costs: international-standard spas at Vietnamese prices
• Friendly people, dedicated service

Real experiences at destinations

Da Nang - oceanview spa:

• Relaxing massage with ocean wave sounds
• Sunrise yoga on the beach
• Healthy eating, fresh seafood