There have been
extensive discussions on samba about these vents, with people using pressure gauges and telltale threads to try to workout whether there is any point in, for example, fitting external scoops.
The consensus, if it can be described as such, is that you cannot generalise as the air flow direction depends on engine type, i.e. Aircooled or water-cooled, what tinware is fitted, speed of travel, etc, etc. In some situations the heat seems to be vented up and out, possibly helped by relatively low pressure along the body of the van and higher pressure under the van, whereas in other situations the air flow seems to go into the vents and down, probably helped by lower pressure at the underside / rear of the van.