Visitors take a picture at a famous coffee store in Busan, South Korea. Many APEC travellers, including those from Viet Nam, flock to northern Asian countries to chase cherry blossoms. -- VNS Photo Thu Ngân

HCM CTIY – In recent times, the picturesque sandy shores and crystal-clear waters of Việt Nam have captured the attention of South Korean travelers, with the top four destinations among Korean visitors being coastal cities and islands of the country. 

Đà Nẵng, Nha Trang, Hội An, and Phú Quốc Island are the most sought-after locations, with HCM City rounding out the top five popular destinations in Việt Nam, according to a report from Agoda Vietnam.

Lâm Vũ, the country director of Agoda Vietnam, highlighted the allure of Việt Nam's beaches for global travelers looking to experience vibrant coastal towns, beautiful sandy beaches, and diverse cultural experiences. 

He noted the historical charm of Hội An, the tropical paradise of Phú Quốc, and the dynamic urban energy of HCM City as particularly appealing to South Korean visitors.

"It’s unsurprising that our beaches attract global visitors seeking both vibrant coastal towns and cities, and beautiful sandy beaches. From the historical allure of Hội An to the tropical island of Phú Quốc, or the urban energy of HCM City, there is a rich tapestry of experiences that South Koreans seem to appreciate, as illustrated by Agoda’s travel insights from this past quarter," he said.

Currently, the cast and crew of South Korean television drama Marry my husband embarked on a leisure trip to the coastal city of Nha Trang.

Accordingly, famous actors Park Min Young, Na In Woo, Lee Yi Kyung, and Choi Gyu Ri reserved a resort for a four-day stay in the beach city.

The Vietnam General Statistics Office recently released official inbound travel data for the first quarter of 2024, revealing a total of 4.6 million international visitors. This figure surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the same period, with South Korean tourists leading the way.

Cherry blossom chasing

As the spring season commences, cherry blossoms are expected to bloom in late March to April, attracting travelers keen on experiencing this natural spectacle. 

Klook, a platform for experiences and travel services, observed a 63 per cent increase in bookings to North Asia in March 2024, where cherry blossoms are abundant, indicating the popularity of springtime travel experiences.

According to a Klook survey, 87 per cent of travelers in the Asia-Pacific region are inclined to embark on dedicated trips to witness cherry blossoms in full bloom. The majority of travelers who plan such trips tend to make arrangements up to three months in advance and intend to stay in their chosen destinations for up to two weeks.

Japan emerges as the top destination for viewing cherry blossoms, with 76 per cent of APAC travelers expressing interest in experiencing this iconic phenomenon. Many travelers show a desire to explore multiple cities within the same destination, with eight in 10 willing to venture up to 60 minutes away from main city areas to discover specific viewing locations.

Vietnamese travelers exhibit a higher degree of spontaneity, with 42 per cent planning their cherry blossom trips within a month or less before departure. Additionally, nearly half of Vietnamese travelers opt for quick getaways of less than a week, compared to the regional average of 35 per cent.

For Vietnamese travelers planning trips to view cherry blossoms, knowing the best locations for viewing the flowers is a top priority. Other considerations such as the duration of the holiday, affordability, available activities at the destination, and transportation options also play a significant role in trip planning for Vietnamese travelers. — VNS