With Vietnam’s prolonged lockdowns now in the rearview mirror for both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the nation’s attention can turn to when it is able to re-open its borders to international travelers once again.  Agoda’s recent Welcome Back Travel survey provides some fascinating insights into just how the people of Vietnam expect this to unfold with at least 60% expecting travel within Asia and globally to resume in the next six months but with some restrictions remaining in place.

Re-opening of Vietnam to international travelers.

Despite one in ten expecting international visitors to be allowed into Vietnam only after two years from now, Vietnam’s government has announced that it will begin opening certain destinations to international visitors in November – beginning with Phu Quoc – along with Hoi An, Halong Bay and other international travel drawcards which are looking to follow suit in the months that follow, ahead of a full reopening in June 2022.

• Just 27% of respondents believed that full border re-openings will resume by the end of the year
• The timeframe most cited by respondents to the survey indicated for opening is 7-11 months (20%), meaning around June 2022, followed by 4-6 months (19%) (around TET). 20% don’t expect in-bound travel to resume fully until 80% of Vietnam is vaccinated
• 11% expected international visitors to be allowed to travel into Vietnam only after two years.
• Respondents aged 55 and older preferring the more conservative track, with category highs of 24% and 15% of this cohort saying ’12-24 months’ and ‘over 24 months’ respectively
• Respondents aged 45-54 were conversely the most optimistic about border reopenings, with 10% saying within three months and 26% saying between four and six months
• The youngest group – 18-24 – were the most inclined to link border reopenings directly to vaccine targets, with 27% of young adults saying that they would only expect inbound travel to resume when an 80% vaccinated population has been achieved.

Hanoi proved itself the most conservative city on this point, with a quarter of residents saying international visitation is 7 to 11 months away, while Ho Chi Minh City split the difference with 20% of respondents choosing four to six months or 7-11 months each.

Vietnamese more like to consider travel within Asia than globally

• Respondents aged 45-54 were most optimistic about restriction free international travel within Asia (52%) compared to only 38% of 25-34 year olds
• Interestingly the 55+ age group were most optimistic about global restriction free travel (54%), followed by 45% for 45-54 year olds
• 47% expect inbound short-term travel to resume within 11 months, with 20% expecting it to be linked to 80% vaccine coverage in Vietnam

The youngest cohort – with more expecting inbound travel to be linked to vaccinations – seem to also be in tune with the broader thinking of policy-makers, who are looking at full vaccination as a pre-condition for entry, both for next month’s plans in Phu Quoc and also for its broader national plan next year.