In order to open up opportunities to experience the different flavors of India in culture, cuisine, nature, health and especially religion, the Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association and the Indian Chamber of Commerce (INCHAM) jointly organized the Amazing Visit India Roadshow in Ho Chi Minh City on November 27. The event was held in the context of the launch of direct flights between India and Vietnam by Indian airlines IndiGo and Vietjet Air.
The meeting was attended by more than 150 guests, including representatives of functional agencies and 50 Vietnamese and Indian tourism trade companies.
In 2018, the number of tourist arrivals between India and Vietnam was about 163,700. Of these, 31,408 Vietnamese tourists visited India, up 32% over the previous year. In 2018, about 132,371 Indian tourists visited Vietnam, up 21% over the previous year.
In response to this development, IndiGo has started direct flights from Hanoi to Kolkata and Ho Chi Minh City to Kolkata, which have been in operation since last October. Vietjet Air will also launch direct flights from New Delhi to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in December. By the end of this year, two major cities in India will be connected to two cities in Vietnam by direct flights.
Indigo Airlines' Hanoi - Kolkata and Ho Chi Minh City - Kolkata flights began operating last October.
Mr. Pranay Verma - Ambassador of India to Vietnam, during the meeting, emphasized that with the launch of direct flights by IndiGo and Vietjet Air, the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries will be more closely linked, especially in the fields of trade, investment, culture, tourism and exchange.
Mr. Pranay Verma - Ambassador of India to Vietnam.
Most Venerable Dr. Thich Thien Tam, Vice President of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, mentioned India as the cradle of Buddhism and the deep understanding of Buddhist thought in Indian ethics. He hoped that many Buddhist pilgrims from Vietnam will have the opportunity to visit India.
Along with the ancient Buddhist heritage associated with the life of Buddha, Indian temples, palaces and forts, the Buddhist heritage of India is of great interest to Buddhists all over the world. India is also the land of Yoga & Ayurveda, a great destination for wellness tourism.
The Indian government has cut e-visa fees by 75% from $100 to $25.
To promote tourism development between the two countries, the Indian tourism industry also has significant incentives for tourists from Vietnam. Specifically, the Indian government has cut 75% of the e-visa fee from 100 USD to 25 USD, and accommodation costs have also started to become cheaper as the Indian government has sharply reduced service tax. Direct flights of Indigo and Vietjet Air have also reduced 50% of round-trip airfares for routes from Vietnam.
