Solutions to exploit the "gold mine" of Vietnam - India tourism

Ý Yên |

Experts say that simplifying visa procedures and increasing direct flights between Vietnam and India can promote tourism between the two countries.

On January 7, the Institute of South Asian, West Asian and African Studies (Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences) in collaboration with the Vietnam - India Friendship Association of Hanoi organized a workshop on Promoting Vietnam - India Tourism in the new context. The event was held on the occasion of the anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam - India diplomatic relations (January 7, 1972 - January 7, 2025).

Impressive growth rate

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, India has been a potential market for Vietnam in recent times, with the most impressive growth rate. From 138,000 visitors to Vietnam in 2022, the Indian market will reach 392,000 in 2023.

By 2024, this market will reach 501,000 visitors to Vietnam, an increase of 2.6 times in just 2 years. Currently, India ranks 6th among the markets sending the most visitors to Vietnam.

The Economic Times reported that by 2024, Indian tourists are estimated to spend about 42 billion USD on foreign tourism.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Hoang Nhan Chinh, Head of the Tourism Advisory Board (TAB) Secretariat, said that India is one of the most populous countries in the world with a growing middle class and a rapid growth rate in international tourist arrivals. In Vietnam alone, the recovery rate of Indian visitors to Vietnam in 2024 compared to 2019 is expected to reach 297%.

Indian tourists tend to travel in large groups, so Vietnam will have the opportunity to develop services for large groups, especially in MICE and wedding tourism.

According to this expert, if developed in the right direction, the Indian market will help Vietnam diversify its tourist sources, reducing dependence on traditional tourism markets such as China, South Korea or Japan.

Despite possessing many advantages to attract tourists such as favorable geographical location, diverse landscapes and destinations and reasonable travel costs, Vietnam still has some major weaknesses in the race to welcome Indian tourists. The tourism industry still lacks human resources who truly understand this market, lacks a strong promotion strategy and the infrastructure does not meet the needs of large groups. In addition, Vietnam also has to compete with other ASEAN countries such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, etc.

Suggesting ways to boost the number of visitors from this market, Mr. Hoang Nhan Chinh suggested that the tourism industry needs to improve infrastructure and transportation, increase promotion, and develop products and services suitable for Indian culture.

Doan khach du lich An Do den Da Nang dip Tet Nguyen dan 2023. Anh: Thuy Trang
A group of Indian tourists came to Da Nang on the occasion of Lunar New Year 2023. Photo: Thuy Trang

Promote two-way customer exchange

Sharing about solutions to increase tourist exchange between the two countries, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya expressed: “We hope that the destinations of the two countries will be known to more people. To achieve this, we need the support of travel agencies and tourism services to offer travel packages that suit the needs of tourists.”

According to Mr. Sandeep Arya, spiritual tourism and resort tourism are popular with Indian tourists, but Vietnam needs to diversify its product packages and tourism forms to attract more tourists. The Ambassador believes that MICE tourism (tourism combined with attending conferences and events) can open up many options and promote tourist exchanges between the two countries.

Currently, there are about 56 direct flights per week connecting provinces and cities of Vietnam and India. According to Mr. Arya, in the coming time, the aviation management agencies of the two countries have decided to add 14 more flights connecting 6 cities in India such as New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai... with Vietnam. India also encourages airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, IndiGo... to open more routes from other cities to promote the number of tourists between the two countries.

Ms. Pham Thi Hong Thu - Director of Duc Minh Investment, Trade and Tourism Joint Stock Company, said that there are some problems that Vietnamese tourists often encounter when coming to India: personal safety; complicated traffic and food hygiene and safety.

Ms. Hong Thu suggested that authorities and travel businesses can proactively provide emergency support phone numbers in Vietnamese/English and connect with the Vietnamese Embassy in India; issue travel guides in Vietnamese, instructing on safety measures.

To make the tourist experience more convenient, relevant parties can conduct field surveys to open Vietnamese customer support centers in major cities in India, hire experienced local guides and organize pre-trip briefings...

In addition, there are proposals to improve the process of issuing electronic visas, exempt or reduce visa fees for Indian visitors to Vietnam and vice versa; and increase the length of stay for tourists on visas.

Ý Yên
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