Korea is one of the largest sources of international tourists to Vietnam, with hundreds of thousands visiting Da Nang and Hoi An each year. But here is what most businesses miss: Korean tourists do not research their trips on Google. They use Naver — Korea's dominant search engine — and if your business is not visible there, you simply do not exist for this audience.
What is Naver and why does it matter for Vietnam tourism?
Naver holds over 60% of search market share in South Korea. Unlike Google, which surfaces websites and local listings, Naver gives heavy prominence to Naver Blog posts — long-form personal reviews written by Korean users. Before booking a spa, restaurant or tour in Hoi An, a Korean traveller is very likely to read multiple Naver Blog posts from other Korean visitors who describe their experience in detail.
How Korean tourists use Naver to plan their Vietnam trip
- They search Korean-language keywords like '호이안 스파 추천' (Hoi An spa recommendation) or '다낭 맛집' (Da Nang restaurant).
- They read Naver Blog posts from travel bloggers and previous visitors — not just star ratings.
- They check Naver Place (Naver's map and local listing service) to see whether a business has been registered and reviewed.
- They look for photos of the actual space, food, room or service — not stock images.
- They want to see a clear way to book or contact the business, often via Zalo, WhatsApp or KakaoTalk.
The three pillars of Naver Marketing for tourism businesses
An effective Naver presence is built on three interconnected elements: Naver Blog reviews written by Korean bloggers, a Naver Place listing that is fully optimised in Korean, and a booking or contact channel that Korean tourists can use without friction. These three need to work together — a well-written blog post that sends traffic to a half-empty Naver Place listing loses most of its value.
Naver Blog: the most important channel
Naver Blog posts are the primary trust-building tool for reaching Korean tourists. A post written by a Korean blogger who has visited your spa, eaten at your restaurant or taken your cooking class carries enormous credibility with Korean readers. The post should include natural Korean writing (not machine-translated copy), real photos from the visit, honest details about the service and price, and a clear call to action.
Naver Place: your Korean business profile
Naver Place is similar to Google Business Profile — it is a listing that appears when Korean users search for businesses on Naver Maps. Registering and optimising your Naver Place with Korean-language descriptions, accurate hours, real photos and a contact method is essential. A business that appears on Naver Place is significantly more trusted by Korean tourists than one that is not listed.
Which businesses benefit most from Naver Marketing in Vietnam?
- Spas and massage centres — Koreans frequently search 'Hoi An spa' and 'Da Nang massage' before their trip.
- Restaurants and cafes — Korean food bloggers are highly active and their posts drive significant footfall.
- Hotels, resorts and homestays — especially those with unique Vietnamese character or strong photo value.
- Cooking classes and local experience tours — very popular with Korean travellers seeking cultural immersion.
- Golf courses and sports facilities — Korea has one of the highest golf participation rates in the world.
How to start building your Naver presence
The practical starting point is registering your business on Naver Place and ensuring all information is accurate in Korean. Simultaneously, begin working with Korean bloggers who visit the area — either by hosting famil visits or through a structured blogger collaboration programme. For a full overview of the process and what is included in each stage, see the Naver Marketing service page.
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FAQ
Do Korean tourists really not use Google?
Most do use Google to some extent, but Naver is where they go for trusted content — especially travel reviews and recommendations. A Google Maps listing alone is not enough to capture Korean tourists who are actively researching options on Naver.
Can I use machine translation for Naver Blog posts?
No — Korean users can immediately tell when content has been machine-translated, and it significantly reduces trust. Naver Blog posts must be written in natural Korean by a native speaker or a fluent writer who understands how Korean travel content is structured.
How long does Naver Marketing take to produce results?
Blog posts typically appear in Naver search results within 2–4 weeks of publication. Building consistent visitor flow from Naver usually takes 3–6 months of steady content and listing optimisation. It is a cumulative channel, not an instant-traffic switch.
How much does Naver Marketing in Vietnam cost?
Costs vary based on the number of blog posts, blogger collaboration, Naver Place management and content volume. See the Naver Marketing pricing page for current packages and what is included.
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