Vietnam welcomes group of 4,500 Indian tourists: A successful combination of trade and tourism promotion strategy
WVR - The arrival of 4,500 Indian tourists firmly affirms Vietnam's position in the international tourism sector, emphasized Consul General of Vietnam in Mumbai Le Quang Bien in an interview with The World and Vietnam Report.
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| Consul General of Vietnam to Mumbai Le Quang Bien shares about Vietnam's potential at the Vietnam-India trade and tourism promotion event. (Photo: Consulate General) |
In these days, a group of around 4,500 Indian tourists has “landed” in Vietnam, planning to visit Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Quang Ninh. This record number of Indian tourists coming to Vietnam is unprecedented. What does this signify, Consul General?
This record number is indeed a significant milestone, indicating that Vietnam is increasingly becoming an attractive destination for Indian tourists. It not only reflects the strong development in the relations between the two countries but also affirms Vietnam's position in the international tourism sector. According to Google's 2023 report on trending searches, Vietnam was the most searched destination by Indians on this platform, a clear sign that Vietnam is becoming of great interest to the Indian public.
Such a large delegation from the pharmaceutical conglomerate Sun Pharma also serves as proof of the trust that Indian businesses and corporations place in the quality of our tourism services. It highlights the great potential of the two-way tourism market between Vietnam and India. This is not just an event about the number of tourists; it is also a valuable opportunity to further introduce Vietnam's culture, people, and country to international friends.
It should also be noted that the enhancement of direct, convenient flights between the two countries and the robust development of Vietnam's tourism industry, focusing on showcasing unique destinations, friendly culture, and diverse experiences, have played a crucial role in this choice by Indian partners.
Back when, the Consulate General of Vietnam in Mumbai and the Vietnam Trade Office in India had organized numerous trade promotion activities in Maharashtra, a western state of India. Is the “docking” of this Indian tourist group an accomplishment of those efforts?
As representative missions of Vietnam in India, we have been tirelessly working to promote economic-trade relations, culture, and tourism between the two countries. We have identified MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) as a sector with great potential in the Indian market.
With a large population and a rapidly developing economy, the demand for organizing events, conferences, and business travel among Indian companies is increasing. Indian businesses, particularly large corporations like Sun Pharma, are very interested in organizing MICE events abroad. Meanwhile, Vietnam, with its modern infrastructure, professional services, and numerous world-class event venues in cities such as Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Nha Trang, is becoming an ideal destination for MICE events. The combination of a favourable business environment, stunning natural landscapes, and high-quality tourism services is expected to attract more Indian companies to choose Vietnam as their destination for MICE events.
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| The promotional activities of Vietnam's representative missions have contributed to raising awareness about Vietnam's potential in business, investment, and tourism in the Indian market. (Photo: Consulate General) |
Based on that, we have recently carried out many proactive activities to connect and promote mutual understanding, ranging from organizing trade fairs, thematic seminars, and roadshows to programs introducing Vietnam in Mumbai and other localities. These efforts have not only played an important role in sparking the interest of the Indian public in Vietnam but also raised awareness about Vietnam's potential in business, investment, and tourism in the Indian market, especially in Maharashtra, where Mumbai, India's financial capital, is located.
It can be said that this group of Indian tourists is also a part of the results and effectiveness of the activities we have implemented. It serves as a typical example of the success of a strategy that combines trade and tourism promotion, creating dual benefits for both sides.
India is one of the top 10 countries with the highest international search volume for Vietnam tourism since the beginning of 2022. In 2022, Vietnam served approximately 137,875 Indian tourists, and this number reached 392,000 in 2023. In the first seven months of 2024, Vietnam welcomed 271,748 Indian tourists, a 27.3% increase compared to the same period in 2023. |
Sun Pharma, owned by billionaire Dilip Shanghvi, is one of the top 5 pharmaceutical companies in the world. In your opinion, what challenges does hosting such a large group from this major corporation pose for Vietnam?
Hosting such a large group from Sun Pharma is truly a source of pride for Vietnam, but it also presents many challenges for us. As you know, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Sun Pharma) is the fourth-largest pharmaceutical company in the world, with a global revenue of 5.4 billion USD and 43 manufacturing facilities worldwide that provide high-quality medicines to over 100 countries. Therefore, their expectations are certainly very high.
To meet the demands of a major corporation like Sun Pharma, we need to ensure that every aspect - from reception and accommodation to sightseeing and entertainment activities - is meticulously and professionally prepared. This requires close coordination among relevant authorities, tourism companies, and other service providers. Additionally, ensuring safety and security is also a crucial factor.
I believe that with the experience and proactive approach of the involved parties, we will welcome this group warmly and successfully, leaving a positive impression of Vietnam in the eyes of our international guests.
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| The Indian tourist group from Sun Pharma arrived in Vietnam on an IndiGo flight on the morning of August 28. (Photo: Vinh Ha) |
What are the next plans of the Consulate General to continue attracting Indian tourists to Vietnam, and vice versa?
The Consulate General will continue to coordinate with relevant agencies and entities both in Vietnam and India to intensify tourism and economic-trade promotion activities to enhance mutual understanding and strengthen ties between the two countries. We plan to organize more cultural, tourism, and trade exchange events in India, while also continuing to promote Vietnam's image through media channels and specialized conferences and seminars.
We will also support Vietnamese businesses in seeking cooperation opportunities with Indian partners, aiming to boost not only tourism but also other sectors such as trade, investment, and cultural exchange between the two nations.
In the coming period, we will focus on the following specific areas:
Boosting MICE tourism development: Catering to the Indian market's needs, including experiential tourism, cultural and culinary tourism, and combining meetings with exploring business cooperation opportunities in Vietnam.
Strong promotion: Utilizing online media platforms, social media, and organizing events in India to reach targeted tourists.
Enhancing cultural exchange: Organizing Vietnamese cultural and art events in India to foster understanding and connection between the two peoples.
Expanding economic cooperation: Connecting Vietnamese businesses with Indian partners, especially in technology, agriculture, and renewable energy, to drive two-way tourism and investment flows.
Our goal is not only to attract more Indian tourist groups to Vietnam but also to encourage Vietnamese citizens and businesses to explore Indian culture and country and seek cooperation opportunities to develop business in this potential market.
I believe that with these efforts, the cooperative relationship between the two countries will continue to develop strongly in the near future.
Thank you very much!
Starting from August 27, Hanoi welcomed the first Indian tourist groups as part of Sun Pharma's Vietnam tour program with 4,500 people. The Indian tourists came to Hanoi to rest, stay at hotels, and visit some special destinations such as Hoa Lo Prison Relic, the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam... According to Vietravel, the group of 4,500 Indian tourists was divided into smaller groups and visited Vietnam from August 27 to September 7. |
