HCM CITY — Inviting all Vietnamese citizens to experience the different flavours of Indian culture, cuisine and nature was the theme of a tourism-promotion event that was held by the Consulate General of India in HCM City.

The event, named ‘Visit India in 2018’, was organised in the city last Friday, attended by representatives of the city’s Department of Tourism, Vietnamese and Indian tourism enterprises, and other relevant agencies.   

It called on the travel industries from both sides to boost the bilateral people-to-people exchange in line with the guidance given by the leaders of the two countries. 

Speaking at the event, Indian Consul General K. Srikar Reddy in Việt Nam highlighted the historical and civilisational links between two countries. He said:“Việt Nam is a strong pillar of India’s Act-East Policy.”

The longstanding India-Việt Nam ties are based on strong mutual trust, understanding and a convergence of views on various regional and international issues.

Over the years, there has been regular exchanges of high level visits between the two countries. 

The leaders of both countries have agreed to intensify cooperation in the fields of culture, tourism and people-to-people exchange while widening and deepening cultural and historical ties.

Tourism has been identified as a priority area for cooperation. 

Last year, foreign tourist arrivals in India were 10.17 million, an increase of 15.6 per cent compared to 2016.

Meanwhile, the number of Vietnamese visiting India has increased 60 per cent during the last five years.

Nguyễn Thị Ánh Hoa, deputy director of the HCM City’s Department of Tourism, said the city welcomed about 57,000 Indian visitors last year, an increase of 10.4 per cent over 2016.

India is renowned for its cultural, historical, religious and natural heritage, and offers unique experiences unparalleled by any other country in the world. 

The country attracts tourists thanks to its diverse traditions, life styles, colorful fairs and festivals, geographical diversity, attractive beaches, 36 World Heritage sites and 25-bio-geographic zones.

According to World Travel and Tourism Council’s research, the world’s 10 fastest growing destinations for leisure-travel spending in the period of 2016-26 will be India, followed by Việt Nam, China, Thailand and other countries. — VNS