First Vietnamese Tourists Arrive at India After Pandemic Shutdown

A chartered flight carrying Vietnamese tourists landed at Gaya Airport, India on the afternoon of Feb. 28, marking the first tourist trip from Vietnam to India after nearly two years of closure due to the pandemic.

At the farewell ceremony for the tourist group, the Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Pranay Verma said he himself wished more Vietnamese tourists would visit India. India is also looking to promote people-to-people exchanges.

Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Pranay Verma saw off the delegation at Noi Bai International Airport. (Photo: Nguoi Lao Dong)

Direct flights have been established since 2019, significantly increasing the number of tourists between the two countries. Ambassador Pranay Verm hopes to resume these flights when the pandemic situation is well controlled. To promote its tourism, India will launch many new tours.

At Gaya, Nguyen Thi Thanh Xuan, Counselor of the Vietnamese Embassy in India, welcomed the tourists on behalf of Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Xuan (4th from left), Counselor of the Vietnamese Embassy in India, welcomed the delegation at Gaya airport on behalf of Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau. (Photo: Nguoi Lao Dong)

When reaching India, the tourists can visit famous Buddhist destinations such as Bodh Gaya where Buddha was enlightened under a Bodhi tree, Vietnam Buddhist Temple, Rajgir where the Buddha used to go for alms and the center of Buddhist study for centuries, Nalanda University Institute, the first and largest Buddhist university in the world, Sarnath where Buddha delivered his first sermon. India also offers tourists a variety of light and music shows.

Ambassador Pranay Verma expressed his wish that more Vietnamese tourists would come to India. (Photo: Nguoi Lao Dong)

Ngo Minh Thien, a representative of Huong Giang Air Services, said the tour took travelers to famous destinations in India, one of the earliest civilizations, the origin of Buddhism with thousands of years of history and unique customs.

The tour includes a round fight between Vietnam and tourist attractions in India to save time and costs, while ensuring visitors' health, especially the elderly.

The first Vietnamese tourist group traveled to India after a long hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo: Nguoi Lao Dong)

Indigo Airlines and Huong Giang Company will continue to organize similar flights to serve Vietnamese tourists when international routes are officially restored after March 15.

The first Vietnamese tourist group traveled to India after a long hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo: Nguoi Lao Dong)

The first Vietnamese tourist group traveled to India after a long hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. (Photo: Nguoi Lao Dong)

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