Vim Search:
Search backward: ?PATTERN
Search forward: /PATTERN
Case Insensitive Search: /PATTERNc
Next match: n
Previous Match: N
One can search forward in vim/vi by pressing / and then typing your search pattern/word.
To search backward in vi/vim by pressing ? and then typing your search pattern/word.
Once word found in vim, you can press the n key to go directly to the next occurrence of the word in backwards. Press the N key to go directly to the opposite direction, i.e. forwards.