India Emerges As Fastest-Growing Travel Market In Vietnam

Vietnam has become a hotspot for international tourists, including Indians. It welcomed 17.5 million visitors in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Easier vis policies, improved luxury hospitality and direct flights have made Vietnam a top destination. Key cities like Da Nang are famous among Indian tourists. The country aims to reach 23 million international visitors by 2025.

Do Indians love going to Thailand in Southeast Asia? Another destination captivating Indians' interest is Vietnam, which has emerged as Southeast Asia's fastest-growing tourism destination. Vietnam has emerged as the third most visited country in the region, with 17.5 million international arrivals in 2014, edging ahead of Singapore. It follows Malaysia, which had 25 million visitors, and Thailand, which remains at the top with 35 million.

The numbers also make Vietnam, also referred to as the Land of the Ascending Dragon, the regional leader in tourism recovery. Five years after the COVID-19 pandemic halted global travel, Vietnam has regained 98 per cent of its pre-pandemic tourism business, outpacing all its neighbours, including Thailand and Singapore. The momentum shows no signs of slowing down. According to figures from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, nearly four million international tourists arrived in Vietnam in January and February, a 30.2 per cent increase from last year.

Many factors have contributed to Vietnam's rising popularity. A significant reason is easier access. The first ever non-stop flight between the US and Vietnam was launched by Vietnam Airlines in 2021, connecting San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City. In 2023, Vietnam introduced new electronic visa policies allowing visitors to stay up to 90 days, three times the previous limit. The country also expanded its list of visa-free countries, including France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, South Korea, and Spain. More nations are expected to be added this month.

At the same time, Vietnam has seen an influx of top-tier hospitality brands. New openings include the Regent Phu Quoc, Capella Hanoi and JW Marriott Hotel and Suites Saigon, during upcoming properties from the Luxury Collection. The expansion of the Michelin Guide in 2024 has also brought more global recognition to Vietnam's culinary scene, making it a strong contender for luxury travellers who have already explored destinations like Thailand's Koh Samui and Phuket or are looking for alternatives to Japan and Singapore.

A significant boost for Indian tourism came with the opening of Radisson Blu in Hoi An, a popular coastal city less than an hour from Da Nang. With its historic architecture and easy connectivity, the city has become a key hub for Indian travellers, making it a top destination. Vietnam has seen an unprecedented surge in Indian travellers, with over 500,000 Indian tourists visiting in 2024, a 297 per cent increase from pre-pandemic levels. Among the biggest draws are lavish destination weddings, with Phu Quoc and Ha Long emerging as popular venues. A simplified visa process and additional non-stop flights from India have further driven demand.

Dr Nanag, in particular, has solidified its place as a leading Indian travel destination. In 2024, it welcomed 222000 Indian visitors, making up 5.3 per cent of all international arrivals. Nearly 50 per cent of all Indian visitors to Vietnam have Chase Da Nang as their main stop. Reports show that Indian visitor numbers to Da Nang have surged more than 13.5 times compared to 2019. Since 2022, India has remained among the city's top five international markets.

Vietnam's luxury travel industry has also benefitted from this surge. Bloomberg quoted Mike Nguyen, founder of Ho Chi Minh-based luxury travel boutique Ansova Travel, saying that the firm saw a 25 per cent year-over-year increase in international bookings in 202,4, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. He expects bookings to grow another 20-30 per cent in 2025. While most of his clientele comes from the US, he has also observed a rising interest from elite Indian families.

Vietnamese Consul General Le Quang Bien, who recently visited India, spoke about the strong ties between the two nations and the increasing number of Indian visitors. He said that while Vietnam currently offers e-visas to Indian travellers, the country is considering a new visa policy for visitors from India and other nations.

"There is a lot of potential for tourism from India to Vietnam due to India's very high population. The two countries have powerful bilateral relations. We have tourists from India, which is increasing," the diplomat said. Meanwhile, Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet Air has introduced a festive sale offering tickets for Eco Class passengers as slow as Rs 11. The offer applies to multiple routes, including flights from India to major Vietnamese cities and is expected to boost travel interest further. The surge in international arrivals is not limited to Indian travellers. Vietnam has also attracted more high-spending visitors from China partly due to security following the widely publicised kidnapping of Chinese actor Wang Xing in Bangkok.

Vietnam has set ambitious targets for 2025 and beyond. The country aims to welcome 23 million international visitors by the end of 2015, breaking its previous records. By March 2026, the new Long Thanh International Airport near Ho Chi Minh City is set to open, increasing Vietnam's visitor capacity to 25 million.

Vietnam's long-term goal is to surpass Malaysia as Southeast Asia's second-most-visited country, leaving only Thailand ahead. With its strong tourism recovery, expanding hospitality sector, and improved visa policies, Vietnam is poised to become one of the region's most sought-after travel destinations.

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