India: A potential market for Vietnamese tourism

In 2023, Vietnam welcomed 392,000 Indian visitors. This number increased to 507,000 in 2024. In the first 8 months of 2025 alone, 443,000 Indian visitors came to Vietnam. This shows the growing attraction of Vietnam to the Indian market, opening up the potential for extensive tourism cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnamese and Indian businesses meet and exchange information in the program to introduce Vietnamese tourism and connect businesses in India. (Photo: TITC)

Tourism is a bright spot in Vietnam-India cooperation

On the world tourism map, Vietnam is known as a top destination in Southeast Asia, a country of endless beauty and rich cultural identity.

Coming to the S-shaped strip of land, tourists can explore the scenic spots, world heritage sites recognized by UNESCO or enjoy tropical beaches and fresh air. There are also many international standard hotels, resorts and entertainment services.

In Vietnam, tourists have the opportunity to choose from a variety of tourism products: from high-end beach resorts, MICE tourism (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions), sports tourism... to exploring cultural-spiritual journeys associated with Buddhism, suitable for the needs of international tourists, including Indian tourists.

Vietnam has been creating many favorable conditions for Indian visitors: Fast e-visa procedures, stay period up to 90 days, valid for single or multiple entries. The aviation network is increasingly expanding, directly connecting major cities of India and Vietnam. Along with that is a safe, friendly environment and hospitable people.

Deputy Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy

Actively implementing activities to promote Vietnamese tourism in India, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism recently organized a program to introduce Vietnamese tourism and connect businesses in the two cities of Bengaluru and Hyderabad. The event attracted the attention of many Indian people, as well as tourism and travel businesses in this country.

Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy shared that tourism is a bright spot in the Vietnam-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. In recent years, Vietnam has emerged as an attractive destination for Indian tourists. Vietnam will welcome 392,000 Indian visitors in 2023 and 507,000 visitors in 2024.

In the first 8 months of 2025, there were 443 thousand Indian visitors to Vietnam, an increase of 42.2% over the same period in 2024. The positive growth results of Indian visitors have affirmed the growing attraction of Vietnam's tourism brand. At the same time, it opens up huge potential for cooperation between the two sides in the tourism sector.

“Vietnam has been creating many favorable conditions for Indian tourists: quick e-visa procedures, stay period up to 90 days, valid for single or multiple entries. The aviation network is increasingly expanding, directly connecting major cities of India and Vietnam. Along with that is a safe, friendly environment and hospitable people. All these factors contribute to a convenient, complete and memorable journey for Indian tourists when choosing Vietnam,” said Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy.

During the Vietnam tourism introduction and business connection program, the Vietnamese delegation updated information on tourism development, favorable policies and mechanisms, outstanding destinations and products suitable to Indian visitors' tastes.

Notably, more and more Indian restaurants are opening in destinations such as Hanoi, Ha Long, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City... to meet the needs of Indian tourists. Thereby, helping Indian people find familiarity in their journey of discovery, experiencing the exchange of culinary culture.

Widening opportunities to exploit the Indian market

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to India Nguyen Thanh Hai, India has a population of more than 1.4 billion people and a rapidly growing middle class, becoming a potential market for Vietnamese tourism.

Over the years, Vietnam has emerged as an attractive destination for Indian tourists. Direct air connectivity is now very convenient with many direct flights between major cities of the two countries.

The first guests in a group of 4,500 guests of the Indian billionaire to visit Trang An Eco-tourism Area, Ninh Binh province in 2024.

In addition, Vietnam's tourism infrastructure and services are highly appreciated by the Indian market, suitable for many needs, types and products such as: wedding tourism, tourism combined with event organization, resort tourism, adventure tourism, nature exploration... The above context opens up many opportunities for Vietnamese tourism and travel companies to exploit the Indian market more strongly.

To contribute to increasing the number of Indian tourists to Vietnam, Vietnamese Ambassador to India Nguyen Thanh Hai said that airlines need to continue to open more direct flights between cities of the two countries. Travel companies also need to strengthen cooperation to design, promote and exploit specialized products for Indian tourists such as: weddings, conferences, luxury resorts...

At the same time, continue to attract Indian filmmakers to come and produce scenes in Vietnam. Through this activity, it is possible to introduce Vietnam's landscapes to the Indian public through the small screen.

Previously, last August, an Indian film crew "started shooting" for the movie "Silaa" in Vietnam. The movie was produced by Omung Kumar Bhandula, a leading Bollywood director. "Silaa" brings together a famous Indian cast, with actress Sadia Khateeb and actor Harshvardhan Rane in the lead roles.

The film is set in many famous destinations such as: Quang Tri, Quang Ninh, Ninh Binh, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City... The production budget for the film is about 4 million USD.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the program to introduce Vietnamese tourism and connect businesses in India is an opportunity to promote Vietnam's unique destinations, products and tourism services to Indian travel partners and tourists.

Nearly 30 Vietnamese tourism and travel businesses and about 200 delegates, representing many Indian businesses, participated in the event, opening up expectations for bilateral cooperation between businesses of the two countries. The program also contributed to consolidating and enhancing the presence of the Vietnamese tourism brand, becoming a forum for businesses to connect and invest, promoting the exchange of visitors between the two countries.

CHIEU ANH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/an-do-thi-truong-khai-thac-giau-tiem-nang-cua-du-lich-viet-nam-post907454.html