Influencer marketing has become an important source of information that influences domestic tourism decisions in emerging markets. However, there is limited research on the role of individuals’ economic conditions in explaining the translation of influencer attributes from travel intention to actual travel decisions. The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of influencer attributes on domestic tourism decisions of residents in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam with Travel Intention as mediator and Income as moderator. A mixed methods design of exploratory sequential type was used. Qualitative interviews were first conducted to refine the conceptual framework and measurement scales, and then a survey of 311 valid responses was analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS SEM). The results show that Emotional Connection and Trust are the strongest predictors of Travel Intention. Travel Intention has a significant effect on Travel Decision. Income further reinforces the link between Travel Intention and Travel Decision, indicating that the financial ability facilitates the translation of travel motivation into behavioral decisions. This study contributes to Source Credibility Theory by combining cognitive, socioemotional and economic mechanisms in a unified behavioral framework. The findings have practical implications for destination marketers, tourism businesses and travel influencers who want to develop more effective influencer marketing strategies in emerging tourism markets.