India is consistently among the top 10 largest Asian source markets, sending the most tourists to Vietnam. In December 2023 alone, the number of Indian visitors to Vietnam reached 39,915.

In particular, based on data from Google Trends, Vietnam topped the list of most searched-for destinations by Indians in 2023 - ahead of European hotspots such as Italy and Switzerland. 

In the Southeast Asian region, Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia are among the most popular choices for Indian globetrotters.

An Indian traveler explores the handmade bamboo and rattan products at a shop in Hanoi. Photo: Ricky Lawson

Hoang Phuong, Director of Sales and Marketing at Joymark Travel JSC, believes that the biggest advantage of traveling to Vietnam over other destinations in the region is that local services are 10-15% cheaper but still of good quality.

In addition, Vietjet Air's launch of a series of direct routes between Vietnam and India has also stimulated travel demand for South Asian countries. According to Vishal Suri, Managing Director of SOTC Travel, there were no direct flights from India to Vietnam before 2019, so connectivity between the two countries is now better.

Around 25 million Indians travel abroad each year, and this number is expected to reach 50 million in the near future. Meanwhile, Vietnam is also a huge market for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism.

According to statistics from the Vietnam National Tourism Authority, the number of international visitors to Vietnam tends to increase steadily, especially in the last three months of 2023.

Indian tourists enjoy the cool weather atop Ba Na Hill in Danang. Photo: Kunal Jogani

As pointed out by Telegraph India, Vietnam's delicious food, stunning natural landscapes, numerous heritage sites and reasonable prices are helping to attract many Indian tourists.

According to global travel marketplace Skyscanner, which analyzed prices in thousands of destinations around the world, Nha Trang in Vietnam was named the cheapest city to stay in a three-star hotel for those traveling from India.

Indian tourists have specific needs related to religious beliefs, eating habits and others. Photo: Ramarathinam Venkatesan

In addition, many flights connect major Indian cities with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, making Vietnam a very convenient choice for getaways.

In March 2023, more than 20 Indian travel companies, as well as news, media and promotional agencies, visited and surveyed services in Danang, Hoi An, and Hue, demonstrating the country's interest in these destinations.

An Indian tourist enjoys kayaking in Ha Long Bay, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam. Photo: Kunal Jogani

According to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam, the number of Indian arrivals to Vietnam in 2023 exceeded 390,000, ranking 9th among the top 10 markets, sending the most visitors to Vietnam, with an average growth rate of 45% per month.

After the aforementioned two-week press tour, Vipin Nain, Managing Director of Nain Vacations Private Limited, affirmed that Danang is a remarkable destination in Asia with many advantages: clean riverscapes and seascapes, professional tourism practices, and the Danang Museum of Cham Sculpture.

In the same month, the People's Committee of Khanh Hoa Province and the Embassy of India in Vietnam hosted a conference to promote investment cooperation between India and Vietnam's central provinces.

Speaking at the conference, Madan Mohan Sethi, Consul General of India in Ho Chi Minh City, said Indian tourists like to explore the beautiful beaches of Nha Trang, as well as the neighboring provinces of Binh Dinh, Phu Yen, and Ninh Thuan.

Indian tourists love to explore the beautiful beach cities of Danang and Nha Trang and the neighboring provinces of Binh Dinh, Phu Yen and Ninh Thuan. Photo: Saumya Semwal Nautiyal

Commenting on potential tourism cooperation, Saurabh Sanyal, former Secretary General of the Indian Business Chamber in Vietnam, said that Vietnam and India have enjoyed a harmonious relationship over the past centuries.

The only problem is that Indian visitors have specific needs related to religious beliefs, eating habits, and others. To satisfy those travelers, it is important for Vietnam's tourism sector to conduct in-depth market segment research, understand Indian culture and customs, and develop products that cater to customers' needs and tastes.