Intro
Link building is an essential part of search engine optimization (SEO), and in Vietnam, where Google Vietnam dominates the search market, it requires a localized and culturally adapted approach. To achieve success, businesses must focus on high-quality backlinks from reputable Vietnamese sources to boost their domain authority and search rankings.
Understanding the Vietnamese SEO Landscape
Vietnam’s SEO landscape is unique due to its preference for localized content and mobile-first browsing habits. To optimize effectively, businesses should adapt to Google Vietnam’s ranking factors while also considering regional trust elements, Vietnamese language preferences, and consumer behavior.
Key Link Building Strategies in Vietnam
1. Guest Posting on High-Authority Vietnamese Sites
Publishing guest posts on trusted Vietnamese websites can significantly improve domain authority. Consider platforms such as:
- VNExpress (vnexpress.net) (General News & Business)
- Zing News (zingnews.vn) (Politics & Economy)
- Dan Tri (dantri.com.vn) (Entertainment & Lifestyle)
- Cafebiz (cafebiz.vn) (Finance & Business)
- GenK (genk.vn) (Technology & Digital Trends)
Tip: Content should be written in Vietnamese and aligned with local interests and SEO best practices for better engagement.
2. Leveraging Local Business Directories
Vietnam has several authoritative business directories that offer valuable backlinks. These include:
- Trang Vang Vietnam (trangvangvietnam.com)
- Vietnam Business Directory (vnyp.com)
- TimViecNhanh (timviecnhanh.com)
- RongBay (rongbay.com)
- Muaban (muaban.net)
Listings on these platforms enhance local SEO rankings and increase business credibility.
3. Digital PR and News Mentions
Building relationships with journalists and media outlets can help earn media backlinks. Use platforms like:
- PR Newswire Asia (prnasia.com/vietnam)
- VietnamNet (vietnamnet.vn)
- Thanh Nien (thanhnien.vn)
- Tuoi Tre News (tuoitre.vn)
- Muck Rack (for global media outreach)
By offering expert insights and industry commentary, businesses can secure backlinks from major Vietnamese news sources such as Bao Moi and VTV News.
4. Broken Link Building
Finding and replacing broken links on high-authority Vietnamese websites is an effective way to earn backlinks. Tools to help with this strategy include:
- Ahrefs (Vietnam-specific settings)
- Screaming Frog SEO Spider
- Check My Links (Chrome Extension)
- Google Search Console for Vietnam
This method helps restore lost links for site owners while benefiting your SEO efforts.
5. Local Citations and Geo-Targeted Links
If targeting local customers, focus on acquiring geo-relevant links from sources like:
- City-specific forums and blogs
- Local chambers of commerce in Vietnam
- Industry-specific Vietnamese directories
Local citations help reinforce location signals to search engines and improve rankings in Google Maps and local search queries.
6. Influencer and Blogger Outreach
Partnering with Vietnamese influencers and bloggers (Key Opinion Leaders - KOLs) can result in high-quality backlinks. Use platforms such as:
- Tiktok Vietnam (tiktok.com/@vietnam)
- Instagram Vietnam (instagram.com/vietnam)
- YouTube Vietnam (youtube.com/vn)
- Blogger.com (popular among Vietnamese bloggers)
- WordPress Vietnamese blogs
KOLs can link to your website in blog posts, social media, and collaborations, improving referral traffic and brand credibility.
7. Content Marketing and Linkable Assets
Creating high-quality, link-worthy content increases natural backlinks. Consider:
- Data-driven reports (e.g., Vietnamese e-commerce trends)
- Infographics in Vietnamese
- Ultimate guides tailored for Vietnamese audiences
- Case studies featuring Vietnamese businesses
When content is original, insightful, and localized, it naturally attracts links from industry leaders and publications.
8. Competitor Backlink Analysis
Analyze competitors’ backlink profiles to uncover hidden link-building opportunities.
Tools to use:
- Ahrefs Vietnam
- Moz Link Explorer
- SEMrush (Vietnam-focused analysis)
- Google Search Console for Vietnam
By replicating high-quality backlinks acquired by competitors, businesses can level the playing field and improve search rankings.
Common Link Building Challenges in Vietnam
Strict Editorial Policies
Many Vietnamese publishers require high-quality, well-researched, and non-promotional content, making guest posting and PR outreach more competitive.
Language and Cultural Barriers
Businesses must ensure content is written in Vietnamese and follows local cultural nuances for better engagement.
Limited Access to Western SEO Tools
Certain global SEO tools may have limited data for Vietnam, making Vietnamese SEO-specific tools more effective for link building.
Measuring Link-Building Success in Vietnam
Tracking link-building efforts ensures continuous improvement and ROI measurement.
Key Link-Building Metrics to Monitor:
- Number of referring domains – Higher-quality domains improve rankings.
- Domain Authority (DA) and Domain Rating (DR) – Track improvements using Moz, Ahrefs, or SEMrush Vietnam.
- Organic traffic growth – Analyze impact using Google Analytics Vietnam.
- Anchor text distribution – Ensure a natural mix of branded, generic, and keyword-rich anchors.
Conclusion
Successful link building in Vietnam requires a Google Vietnam-focused, white-hat, and quality-driven approach. By focusing on guest posting, PR mentions, local citations, content marketing, and competitor link analysis, businesses can achieve higher domain authority, increased organic rankings, and long-term SEO success in Vietnam.
