“Vietnam – A paradise of Southeast Asia” was the theme of a tourismpromotion gala in New Delhi, India, on November 26 that attracted thepresence of many tour operators from both countries.
Vietnamese Ambassador Ton Sinh Thanh, in his welcome speech, made itclear that Vietnam is a not-to-miss destination since it is home to anarray of UNESCO-recognised world heritages, relic sties, stunningbeaches and busy shopping malls.
Vietnam welcomed nearly 7.5million foreign visitors last year and 6.6 million in the first tenmonths of 2014. However, only 30,000 Indians come to Vietnam annually,far fewer than the numbers of Indians who visit Thailand (1 million),Singapore (900,000) and Indonesia (200,000).
The ambassadorsaid few Indian visitors come to Vietnam due to a lack of information onVietnamese tourism market and direct air route from India to Vietnam.
He expressed hope that things will change after the recentlaunch of a direct flight route linking New Delhi and Ho Chi Minh Cityby India’s Jet Airways, and with the plans of more direct flightsbetween the two countries next year by the national flag carrier VietnamAirlines and budget airline VietJet Air.
Girish Shankar, Additional Secretary of Indian Tourism, said Vietnam is a pillar of India’s Look East policy.
India greeted over 12,300 Vietnamese visitors last year, and since2011, it has applied visa-on-arrival procedures for Vietnamese citizenswith the aim of encouraging more Vietnamese to visit the country, hesaid.
At the event, Vietnamese and Indian tour operators introduced their tour services to participants.-VNA
Vietnamese Ambassador Ton Sinh Thanh, in his welcome speech, made itclear that Vietnam is a not-to-miss destination since it is home to anarray of UNESCO-recognised world heritages, relic sties, stunningbeaches and busy shopping malls.
Vietnam welcomed nearly 7.5million foreign visitors last year and 6.6 million in the first tenmonths of 2014. However, only 30,000 Indians come to Vietnam annually,far fewer than the numbers of Indians who visit Thailand (1 million),Singapore (900,000) and Indonesia (200,000).
The ambassadorsaid few Indian visitors come to Vietnam due to a lack of information onVietnamese tourism market and direct air route from India to Vietnam.
He expressed hope that things will change after the recentlaunch of a direct flight route linking New Delhi and Ho Chi Minh Cityby India’s Jet Airways, and with the plans of more direct flightsbetween the two countries next year by the national flag carrier VietnamAirlines and budget airline VietJet Air.
Girish Shankar, Additional Secretary of Indian Tourism, said Vietnam is a pillar of India’s Look East policy.
India greeted over 12,300 Vietnamese visitors last year, and since2011, it has applied visa-on-arrival procedures for Vietnamese citizenswith the aim of encouraging more Vietnamese to visit the country, hesaid.
At the event, Vietnamese and Indian tour operators introduced their tour services to participants.-VNA
