Vietnam is one of the most searched Asian destinations by French tourists, according to Government News citing a survey released by the organizers of the 2026 World Travel Mart in France.
The results show that the travel demand of French people is forecast to continue to be maintained at a high level in 2026, and also reflect a significant change in destination preferences.
A survey conducted in November 2025 with nearly 900 participants in the Île-de-France region showed that up to 98% of respondents plan to travel in 2026. Among them, 73% plan to travel abroad, and nearly half said they make international trips at least twice a year.
In terms of regional selection, Europe is still the top priority, with 38% of tourists choosing destinations in the region thanks to their proximity and developed transportation systems.
However, Asia is becoming increasingly popular, accounting for 28% of travel choices - the highest level since the survey was first launched in 2019.
Among the most searched destinations, Asian countries such as Vietnam, Japan and Thailand appear alongside European tourist centers such as Italy and Spain.
This trend shows that French tourists are increasingly expanding their choices and are willing to travel further to find new experiences.
According to the organizers of the Global Tourism Fair, the survey reflects a change in the tourism mindset of French tourists. Instead of focusing only on familiar destinations, more and more people are looking for new places with unique cultural identity and impressive natural landscapes.
About 28% of survey participants said they are particularly interested in less-known destinations or emerging on the world tourism map. This opens up new opportunities for many Asian countries, including Vietnam, in attracting the attention of European tourists.
Vietnam is considered one of the prominent destinations in the region thanks to the combination of rich cultural heritage, unique cuisine and diverse natural landscapes.
These advantages are increasingly suitable for the experiential tourism trend that is being favored by French tourists.
At the Global Tourism Expo 2026, taking place from March 12 to 15 at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles in Paris, Vietnam and other Asian destinations such as Nepal, India and Thailand are being promoted as experiential destinations for international tourists.
The survey also shows the increasing importance of experiential tourism. French tourists are increasingly looking for opportunities to immerse themselves in local culture, enjoy traditional cuisine and participate in activities associated with nature instead of just visiting famous landmarks.
Regarding travel plans, most tourists still prioritize self-organizing trips. However, package tours are gradually attracting more attention, especially for long-distance trips or to distant destinations.
About 60% of survey participants said they started learning about and planning travel at least three months before departure.
