On January 7, at the Institute of South Asian, West Asian and African Studies, a workshop on "Promoting Vietnam - India Tourism" was held, attracting the participation of many important guests such as: Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya and leading experts. The workshop aimed to find solutions to promote the tourism industry of the two countries.
The cooperative relationship between Vietnam and India has developed strongly in many fields, especially in economics, culture and defense. The two countries share a long-standing cultural and religious foundation, in which Buddhism plays an important bridge. India is currently an important strategic partner of Vietnam in the South Asia region, with many cooperation projects in technology, energy, tourism and education. In particular, tourism has emerged as a potential field with sacred sites such as Bodh Gaya, Deer Park and Kushinagar. These destinations have great appeal to Vietnamese Buddhists. In addition, India is also famous for yoga and meditation, providing opportunities for healing tours.
Vietnam - India tourism development situation
Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Xuan Trung, Director of the Institute of South Asian, West Asian and African Studies, said that after the Covid-19 pandemic, tourism activities between the two countries have improved significantly. The reopening of direct flights and the participation of many airlines have created favorable conditions for tourists. However, he emphasized that the number of tourists is still not commensurate with the great potential of both countries and tourism resources have not been effectively exploited. The mechanisms, policies and approaches of tourism businesses are still not suitable, leading to the failure to take full advantage of cultural and human factors to create competitive advantages.
Meanwhile, Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya said the number of tourists from this South Asian country to Vietnam is increasing rapidly, estimated to reach more than 500,000 by 2024, an increase of about 30% compared to the past 3 years. The number of Vietnamese tourists to India also increased by about 32% compared to 2002, reaching 57,000 by 2023. He affirmed that the senior leaders of the two countries highly appreciated the potential for tourism cooperation and committed to promoting this sector.
Expanding air connectivity and visa regime
There are currently 56 direct flights between Vietnam and India, and according to some sources, 14 more flights are expected to be added, connecting 6 Indian cities with Vietnam. Airlines such as Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet and Indigo are actively expanding direct routes.
Referring to the visa mechanism, Ambassador Sandeep Arya said that the e-visa is operating effectively, with the number of visas and tourists increasing compared to the previous year. He suggested that more measures should be implemented to diversify tourism products, combining commercial, cultural and spiritual activities to attract visitors. He also hoped for more articles and scientific research on India - Vietnam tourism, and pledged to support research and communication activities to promote tourism between the two countries.
Mr. Ton Sinh Thanh, former Vietnamese Ambassador to India, said that the number of Indian tourists to Vietnam is increasing rapidly, reaching a growth rate of about 2.3 times compared to 2019, far surpassing other markets such as Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. In the Top 20 largest international tourist markets to Vietnam in 2024, the Indian market ranks third, after South Korea and China. The recovery rate of the Indian market after the Covid-19 pandemic is impressive, reaching nearly 297% compared to 2019.
Challenges and solutions
Despite its many advantages, tourism in India still faces some limitations such as waste, pollution and lack of safe drinking water in some areas. Scams occur in some areas, especially in crowded tourist spots. Personal safety, especially for female tourists, is also a concern. The big differences in customs, habits, as well as the spicy, pungent cuisine of India can make it difficult for many Vietnamese tourists to adapt.
Faced with these challenges, experts have proposed a number of solutions, such as: opening more direct flights, cooperating with airlines to facilitate tourists; considering visa exemptions for Indian visitors, simplifying entry procedures; organizing events and tourism fairs. In addition, localities need to upgrade infrastructure, develop products and services suitable for Indian culture, especially MICE tourism - a type of tourism that combines conferences, seminars, exhibitions and weddings.
India is a potential destination for Vietnamese tourists thanks to its cultural diversity, history and spiritual values. Experts expect that with the proposed solutions and close coordination between relevant parties, the Vietnam - India tourism market can develop strongly, contributing to strengthening bilateral cooperation as well as bringing economic and cultural values to both countries.
Source: https://kinhtedothi.vn/thuc-day-hop-tac-du-lich-viet-nam-an-do-co-hoi-va-thach-thuc-moi.html
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