(KPL/VNA) With inbound accommodation searches up 30% compared to last year, Vietnam is set to sparkle as a favourite for international revelers looking to welcome New Year 2025, according to Agoda.

Of Vietnamese cities, Agoda said, Ho Chi Minh City tops the chart as the most sought-after destination, where visitors can ring in ‘25 with fireworks above the Saigon River.

The analysis was made between November 1 and 27 with a check-in date of December 31. Comparisons are based on data from November 1-27, 2023.

The tourism service platform said that travelers from the Republic of Korea, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan (China), and the United States are leading the charge to see 2024 off in Saigon-style.

Lam Vu, country director for Vietnam at Agoda, shares his excitement: Vietnam’s growing popularity as a New Year’s Eve destination reflects its unique blend of culture, energy, and natural beauty.”

On the list, Phu Quoc Island climbed to second place, rising from fifth last year, while Da Nang, Hanoi, and Nha Trang round out the top five hotspots.

Vietnamese travelers are also making bold choices for their New Year escapes. Domestically, HCM City reigns supreme, followed by the romantic highlands of Da Lat, the serene beaches of Vung Tau, the capital city Hanoi and the beach city of Nha Trang. Nha Trang, in the central province of Khanh Hoa, reclaims its spot in the top five, nudging out Phan Thiet in Binh Thuan province.

For those looking to expand their travel horizons, international searches point to Bangkok, Taipei, Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong as top contenders for ringing-in the new year.

In New Year 2024, Vietnam welcomed 3.2 million tourists, increasing by 6.6% over the same time of 2023.

In the first 11 months of this year, foreign tourists to Vietnam totaled 15.8 million, surging by 41% year-on-year.

KPL