India viewed as promising tourist source for Vietnam
The number of international visitors to Vietnam in the first half of 2024 surpassed that in the same period of 2019, with those from India rocketing 312% from the pre-pandemic level.
International tourists visit Hanoi's Old Quarter. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The number of international visitors to Vietnam in the first half of 2024 surpassed that in the same period of 2019, with those from India rocketing 312% from the pre-pandemic level.
Indian holidaymakers coming to Vietnam have increased relatively fast over the last five years. While the annual growth stood at 26.7% during 2015 - 2019, the number topped 392,000 in 2023, marking a 231% surge compared to 2019, reported the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
Direct flights between Vietnam and India have helped reduce travel time for passengers, enhancing connectivity between the two countries.
Indian tourists are increasingly fond of travelling to Vietnam, which boasts a safe tourism environment, beautiful landscapes, diverse products, people's hospitality, and delicious cuisine. In addition to tourism, Indians are also ready to spend big on booking entire 5-star hotels in coastal destinations such as Quang Ninh, Da Nang, and Phu Quoc for weddings.
Dinh Duc Quang from travel company Nikatour Mui Ne in Phan Thiet city, Binh Thuan province, said India is indeed a highly potential but also demanding market, especially in terms of culinary and religious considerations. Therefore, travel agencies should pay attention to tailoring their products to the needs of different groups of Indian visitors such as those booking tours, rich and urban families, solo and female travellers, and high-end tourists.
Statistics from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) show that Indians spent 21.3 billion USD on travelling abroad in 2018, and the figure increased 9.8% in 2019. The spending is forecast to reach 45 billion USD by 2025 and about 91 billion USD by 2030.
Surveys indicate that Indian tourists enjoy exploring new destinations. They love shopping, participating in outdoor activities, and visiting museums, cultural sites, and historical landmarks.
Given this, India is seen ▨as a promising tourism market that Vietna⛄m should tap into in the time to come to attract more international visitors./.
Outbound travel from India has seen a significant spike, with Vietnam emerging as a favoured international destination, according to Mint, a New Delhi-based business publication.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
