New Delhi (VNA) – A destination that is capturing the interest of Indians like no other is Vietnam, said the Economic Times, a leading business newspaper of India.

Outbound travel bookings to Vietnam for some companies are up 500% this year compared to 2019, and travel companies and carriers are looking to offer more options and boost capacity, the newspaper said.

It quoted the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism as saying that there were 392,000 Indian visitors to Vietnam in 2023, an over-three-fold increase from 2019.

Rajeev Kale, president and country head for holidays, MICE, Visa at Thomas Cook of India, said the 500% increase in outbound travel from India to Vietnam can be attributed to improved flight connectivity, frictionless travel due to e-visas, and the influence of social media. He noted that when compared to other Southeast Asian destinations, Vietnam also presents a great value proposition with truly attractive price points.

“What’s noteworthy is the appeal of Vietnam across diverse traveler segments of families, including multigenerational groups and senior citizens, as well as millennials, Gen Z, couples and groups of friends,” he said.

Recently, direct flights from Ahmedabad to Vietnam’s central Da Nang city were introduced to cater to the rising demand from this region, and looking ahead to 2025, the travel demand is forecast to continue to grow, driven by the increasing number of regional departures, he added.

Vietnamese carrier Vietjet claims since 2019, it has continually expanded its routes and direct connections to meet rising travel demand of passengers. Currently, the airline operates 68 weekly flights between Vietnam and India, connecting key Indian cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Kochi with Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City.

Raj Rishi Singh, chief marketing officer and chief business officer for corporate at MakeMyTrip, said over the past year, searches for Vietnam are up 17%.

Vietnam’s affordability, combined with hassle free visa regulations and a growing number of direct flights from India, is fueling this growth among Indian tourists.

SD Nandakumar, president and country head for holidays and corporate tours at SOTC Travel, said Vietnam offers Indian travelers a treasure trove - from culture, history, cuisine, scenic vistas to multiple options for shopping.

The firm intends to showcase the yet under-leveraged locales like the Mekong Delta, Ph꧙u Quoc, Hoi 🥃An, Sapa, and Con Dao to discerning Indian consumers, he said./.