As part of events to promote tourism from Vietnam to India, the Embassy of India, in collaboration with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), the Indian Ministry of Tourism and India Tourism Office in Singapore, hosted a webinar on “Buddhist Circuits in India” on 8 November 2021. The event witnessed the participation of a large number of tourism and travel companies, media outlets, and tourism experts from India and Vietnam.
In his keynote address, Ambassador Pranay Verma highlighted recent steps taken by India to welcome foreign tourists, including the opening of all tourism to India from 15 November and the launch of the “SU-SWAGATAM” Indian visa app as single-window facilitation for foreign tourists. Ambassador noted the salience of Buddhist heritage in India for Vietnamese tourists. He also underlined the new facilities to promote international travel to these destinations, notably the inauguration of the Kushinagar International Airport by the Prime Minister of India in October 2021.
The event was also addressed by the Vice Chairman of VNAT, Mr. Ha Van Sieu, who welcomed the Embassy’s initiative and urged travel operators to disseminate more information on Buddhist circuit packages suitable for Vietnamese tourists.
Presentations were made by senior officials of India’s Ministry of Tourism, India Tourism Office in Singapore, Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, International Buddhist Confederation as well as representatives from the travel industry. The webinar concluded with an interactive Q&A session. Consul General of India in Ho Chi Minh City, Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi presented the vote of thanks to the participants.