New Visa policy for tourists from India and other countries under consideration, Vietnam Consul General of Mumbai

Ahmedabad, Feb 17 (PTI) The Vietnamese government is considering a new visa policy for tourists coming from India and other countries, a senior diplomat said on Monday.

Consul General of Vietnam in Mumbai Le Quang Bien highlighted tourism potential in the Southeast Asian nation, which is famous for its beaches, rivers and Buddhist pagodas, and noted his country shares strong relationship with India.

At present, many South Asian countries have visa on arrival for Indian tourists, while Vietnam issues e-visa for travellers.

Talking to reporters in Ahmedabad, Bien said, "At present, we have e-visa, we do not have visa on arrival for tourists from India and other countries. But we are considering a new visa policy for entry of tourists from India and other countries." He was here to participate in the "Da Nang Tourism Roadshow".

"There is a lot of potential for tourism from India to Vietnam due to a very high population of India. The two countries have a very strong bilateral relationship. We value tourists from India, the number of which is increasing," the diplomat emphasised.

Another Vietnamese official said his country is taking steps to ensure Da Nang, a coastal city known for beaches, museums and rich heritage sites, becomes a preferred destination for Indian travellers.

"India plays a key role in our growth plans for Da Nang's tourism sector. We are committed to adapting to the tastes and expectations of Indian travellers, ensuring that Da Nang becomes a more accessible and attractive destination for this market," said Huynh Thi Huong Lan, Deputy Director of the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Center, a release said.

Lan emphasized that, based on deep market insights and ongoing efforts to connect with Indian tourism stakeholders, Da Nang is refining its service packages, particularly for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and wedding tourism.

Since 2022, India has ranked among the top 5 international source markets for Da Nang. "For every two Indian tourists visiting Vietnam, one chooses Da Nang as their destination," In 2024, Da Nang welcomed over 222,000 Indian visitors, representing 5.3% of the total international arrivals to the city and nearly 50% of the total Indian visitors to Vietnam (501,427).

Remarkably, compared to 2019â?the pre-pandemic peak of international tourismâ?the number of Indian visitors to Da Nang has surged by more than 13.5 times.

As the third-largest city in Vietnam, Da Nang serves as the economic and cultural hub of Central Vietnam. With its beautiful beaches and an array of international resort brands, Da Nang is known as a premier beach destination and has earned recognition as the "Asia's Leading Event and Festival Destination" by the World Travel Awards. PTI PD RSY

Source: PTI