Promoting Vietnam-India tourism cooperation: new opportunities and challenges

The Vietnam-India Tourism Promotion Conference, which took place in Hanoi on January 7, focused on strategies to boost the tourism industries of both nations.

Vietnam and India have strong ties in various fields, with tourism standing out as a promising area of cooperation. Sacred sites such as Bodh Gaya, Sarnath, and Kushinagar attract Vietnamese Buddhists, while India's global reputation for yoga and meditation opens up opportunities for wellness tourism. These shared cultural and spiritual connections strengthen bilateral ties and pave the way for further tourism growth.

Development of tourism between Vietnam and India

Nguyen Xuan Trung, Director of the Institute of South Asian, West Asian and African Studies, highlighted the remarkable progress in tourism between Vietnam and India after the Covid-19 pandemic. He credited the resumption of direct flights and the involvement of several airlines with greatly facilitating travel.

However, he noted that the number of tourists still falls short of both countries' immense potential and that tourism resources remain underutilized. He also noted that current mechanisms, policies, and strategies in the tourism sector are not yet optimized to leverage cultural and human elements as key competitive advantages.

Experts discuss opportunities for tourism development at the event. Photos: Tung Lam/The Hanoi Times

Meanwhile, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya highlighted the rapid growth of Indian arrivals, estimated to exceed 500,000 by 2024, an increase of 30% over the past three years. The number of Vietnamese tourists visiting India has also increased by about 32% compared to 2002, reaching 57,000 by 2023. He emphasized that the top leaders of both countries value the potential of tourism cooperation and are committed to boosting the sector.

Nguyen Xuan Trung, Director of the Institute for South Asian, West Asian, and African Studies, speaks at the event.

Expanding air connectivity and improving visa mechanisms

There are currently 56 direct flights between Vietnam and India, with 14 more planned to connect six Indian cities to Vietnam. Airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and IndiGo are actively expanding their services between the two countries.

On visa policy, Ambassador Sandeep Arya praised the success of e-visas, noting an increase in both issuance and tourist arrivals over the previous year. He also encouraged more publications and academic studies on Vietnam-India tourism and pledged support for research and media efforts to promote tourism between the two countries.

Former Vietnamese Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh highlighted a significant surge in Indian tourist arrivals to Vietnam, up 2.3 times compared to 2019, outpacing markets such as Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. By 2024, India ranks as the third largest source market for Vietnam, behind South Korea and China. The recovery of Indian tourism after Covid-19 has been extraordinary, with growth reaching almost 297% of 2019 levels, he said.

Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya highlights the rapid growth of Indian tourists visiting Vietnam.

Challenges and proposed solutions

Despite its many strengths, visiting India faces significant challenges. These include waste management issues, pollution, and limited access to safe drinking water in certain areas. In addition, fraud in crowded tourist areas and concerns about personal safety, particularly for female travelers, remain high. Cultural differences, including India's distinctive customs and highly spiced cuisine, can also pose adjustment difficulties for Vietnamese tourists.

Delegates at the event pose for a commemorative photo.

India offers immense potential as a destination for Vietnamese travelers, thanks to its rich cultural diversity, historical landmarks, and spiritual significance. Experts hope that the implementation of the proposed measures, combined with coordinated efforts among stakeholders, will boost the Vietnam-India tourism market, strengthening bilateral ties and bringing economic and cultural benefits to both nations.