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Instead of focusing solely on traditional destinations like Da Nang or Phu Quoc, Indian tourists, especially those in the luxury and ultra-wealthy segments, are increasingly paying attention to the "golden triangle" of tourism in the North: Hanoi - Quang Ninh - Ninh Binh. With its perfect combination of magnificent heritage landscapes, modern transportation infrastructure, and the ability to organize lavish events, Vietnam is gradually establishing itself as a top destination for South Asian tourists in 2026.
In 2025, Vietnam welcomed nearly 750,000 Indian tourists, marking an impressive 49% increase compared to the previous year. This increase was not only in quantity but also in the depth of the experience. According to search trend reports from Google and the booking platform MakeMyTrip, Vietnam consistently rose in the rankings, holding the 4th position among the top preferred international destinations for Indian tourists. Notably, while Indian tourists were previously often associated with the coastal and island areas of Central Vietnam, tours in Northern Vietnam are now recording impressive numbers.
The years 2025-2026 will see a surge in Indian tourists to Vietnam, with a strong shift from traditional destinations to the Northern Golden Triangle.
In Quang Ninh, the tourism "capital," the business director of the high-end tourism brand Paradise Vietnam shared with the press that the percentage of Indian tourists at the company has increased from 5% in 2024 to nearly 8% in 2025. In particular, in Lan Ha Bay, tourists from this South Asian country have risen to the leading position in terms of the number of international visitors, accounting for up to 22% of the total number of tourists participating in cruise tours.
Images of famous actress Niharica Raizada overwhelmed by the picturesque beauty of the water lily ponds in Tam Coc (Ninh Binh) or Bollywood film crews choosing Ha Long Bay as the setting for million-dollar blockbusters like Silaa are the clearest evidence of the irresistible allure of Northern Vietnam's heritage.
The appeal of Quang Ninh and Ninh Binh to Indian tourists stems not only from the natural beauty of over 2,000 limestone islands or rivers flowing around majestic mountains, but also from their internationally recognized heritage. The official UNESCO World Heritage status of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son - Kiet Bac complex in July 2025 has opened a new direction: cultural tourism combined with spirituality linked to Buddhism – an extremely important element in the Indian psyche.
Quang Ninh and Ninh Binh are becoming the new "sanctuaries" for lavish billionaire weddings and the backdrop for million-dollar Bollywood films, thanks to their majestic UNESCO heritage landscapes and modern transportation infrastructure.
Furthermore, the synchronized development of transportation infrastructure, including a comprehensive network of expressways and modern international airports, has made travel between Hanoi, Ha Long, and Ninh Binh more convenient than ever. This facilitates multi-destination itineraries, allowing tourists to enjoy the vibrant life of the capital while also experiencing luxury cruises amidst world wonders, all in a short trip. This strategic "touchpoint" enables Vietnam to compete on equal footing with regional rivals such as Thailand and Bali, Indonesia.
One of the most striking aspects of this wave of Indian tourists is the wedding tourism segment for the ultra-wealthy. In Indian culture, weddings are not just ceremonies but events that affirm social status. In just the first three months of 2026, Quang Ninh province hosted four lavish weddings for Indian billionaire families. Even more astonishing, the venues were no longer confined to 5-star hotels but expanded to unimaginable locations such as the Jade Dragon Cave (Cam Pha) or private yachts in Ha Long Bay.
A lavish, private wedding venue for an Indian billionaire couple was held for the first time in Quang Ninh.
The demands of this group of clients were extremely stringent: from bringing in chefs, ingredients, and cooking utensils specifically from India, to designing multi-day gala dinners. The fact that Vietnamese tourism businesses were able to meet these rigorous international standards elevated the prestige of the destination. The success of these "heritage site" weddings not only generated enormous direct revenue but also created a resounding media effect, bringing the image of Vietnam into the spotlight of the world's elite.
Recognizing the enormous potential of the Indian market, businesses and tourism management agencies in Vietnam have quickly entered the race to optimize services. From implementing specialized Indian menus with strict vegetarian dietary requirements to adjusting itineraries to suit the lifestyles of South Asian tourists, everything has been meticulously planned. Attractive pricing policies, especially for high-end cruise tours at competitive prices, are being promoted to attract MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and large-scale group tours.
This shift not only generates significant revenue but also affirms the brand position of Northern Vietnam tourism on the international map.
Representatives from the Quang Ninh Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism affirmed that welcoming this high-end group of tourists is a positive sign to assert the locality's position as an international event center. With a well-planned strategy and close coordination between the government and businesses, Vietnam is gradually transforming itself into a "magnet" attracting not only pure tourists but also investors, billionaires, and large-scale film crews.
The future of tourism in Northern Vietnam looks brighter than ever as the influx from India continues to be strong, promising new records in 2026.
