3 Impressions of India - The Most Populous Country in the World

During a brief visit to India for sightseeing and cultural exploration, Mr. Nguyễn Sơn Thủy, the director of Visit Indochina, shared that he was particularly impressed by many aspects of the most populous country in the world.

“I clearly feel the friendliness and kindness of the Indian people after many years of working here. We see opportunities and potential for collaboration to bring many visitors from India to Vietnam,” said Mr. Thủy upon returning to Vietnam.

3 Remarkable Impressions of India

As part of a delegation from the Da Nang Department of Tourism, Mr. Thủy visited India to promote Vietnam as a key travel destination. While exploring various locations, he was particularly struck by three distinctive aspects of this vibrant country.

1. A LEGACY OF MAGNIFICENT TEMPLE ARCHITECTURE

  India’s architectural wonders stand as testaments to the ingenuity and craftsmanship of its ancient builders. The intricate temples, masterfully carved from natural stone, showcase unparalleled artistry, with perfectly symmetrical structures and meticulously detailed engravings. These masterpieces, shaped over centuries, reflect India’s deep spiritual heritage and architectural excellence.

2. THE SERENITY AND GRACE OF THE INDIAN PEOPLE

 A visit to India reveals a profound sense of kindness and composure among its people. Rooted in the country’s strong religious traditions, particularly Buddhism and Hinduism, this unique calmness is evident in daily interactions.

Despite the often-chaotic traffic, it is rare to witness frustration or aggression on the roads. The same tranquility extends to the tourism sector, where businesses handling large-scale groups—sometimes numbering in the hundreds or even thousands—operate with remarkable professionalism, patience, and precision.

“In managing massive tourist flows, Indian businesses exhibit exceptional organization and attentiveness, ensuring a seamless experience without disorder,” Mr. Thủy observed.

3. A DYNAMIC SOCIETY POISED FOR GROWTH

While India's bustling streets may appear overwhelming at first glance, they reflect a deeply ingrained culture of cooperation and adaptation. The spirit of “giving way” is evident, both in traffic and in the country’s broader social dynamics.

Beyond its impressive scale, India’s economic potential is striking. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, the country is home to a rapidly expanding middle and upper class.

 “A common question arises: how many among India’s vast population have the means to travel? Just the populations of New Delhi and Mumbai alone are nearly equivalent to that of Vietnam. Interestingly, India’s affluent and middle-class segments now number close to Australia’s entire population. Yet, Indian tourist arrivals to Vietnam remain modest,” Mr. Thủy noted.

Bringing Vietnam to the 1.4 Billion-Population Market

According to data, since the COVID-19 pandemic, India has ranked among the top countries contributing to the highest growth in tourists to Vietnam, both in Asia and globally. Indians have made a notable impact with their efforts to help restore the UNESCO World Heritage site My Son (Quang Nam).

Now, with many cultural similarities, Indians are increasingly choosing Vietnam as a travel destination.

In Vietnam, especially in Central Vietnam, many businesses are adapting to create tourism products tailored to Indian tourists, especially Halal travelers. India now ranks fourth in the top 10 international markets visiting Da Nang.

To promote Vietnamese tourism, from February 19 to 21, Visit Indochina, along with the tourism sector in Da Nang, participated in the SATTE 2025 fair held at India Expo Mart, Greater Noida.

The event, organized by Informa Markets, is the largest fair in South Asia, attracting over 50,000 participants, 1,800 exhibitors, and more than 1,000 buyers from over 120 countries.

According to Ms. Huỳnh Thị Hương Lan, deputy director of the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Center, the appeal of Da Nang, particularly its MICE, golf, and wedding tourism, was actively showcased by the Da Nang delegation.

In 2024, Da Nang welcomed over 222,000 Indian visitors, accounting for 5.3% of international tourists to the city and nearly 50% of total Indian visitors to Vietnam (501,427 visits).

Notably, compared to 2019, the peak of tourism before the COVID-19 pandemic, the total number of Indian visitors to Da Nang has increased more than 13.5 times.

Da Nang is considered an unmissable destination for those traveling to Vietnam, even though direct flights between Da Nang and major Indian cities have yet to be restored.

At SATTE 2025, Da Nang’s tourism sector impressed visitors with activities like traditional Ao Dai performances, Vietnamese coffee experiences, lucky draws, and photo opportunities for souvenirs.

At SATTE, Da Nang also connected with airlines to strengthen partnerships and promote direct flights between India and Da Nang. The Da Nang tourism sector also met with wedding tourism organizations and event planners to launch the 2025 Da Nang wedding tourism program.

 Visit Indochina.