Vietnam received nearly 8.8 million international visitors in the first four months of 2026, up 14.6% from a year earlier, according to the country’s latest tourism data.
Indian arrivals rose far faster.
More than 324,000 Indians visited Vietnam between January and April this year — a 59.1% jump over the same period last year — making India one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing major tourism source markets.India’s growth rate has significantly outpaced Vietnam’s broader tourism recovery.
“European destinations continue to see steady growth in the range of 15–20%,” Pittie said.
Vietnam, in particular, has emerged as a convenient alternative due to its relatively stable access and seamless travel experience for Indian tourists.”Airlines globally have become more selective about deploying aircraft on long-haul sectors where operational uncertainty remains high.
ET Online
Europe gets costlier, Southeast Asia gets easier
The Vietnam boom and how airlines are adapting
The new Indian outbound traveller
Europe’s summer postcard — complete with gondola rides in Venice, cafés in Paris and alpine train journeys through Switzerland — is no longer the default holiday aspiration for Indian travellers Taking over Instagram feeds and travel wishlists, instead, are lantern-lit streets in Hoi An, rooftop cafés in Hanoi, beach resorts in Da Nang and night markets in Ho Chi Minh City.Behind that diversification lies a mix of economics, geopolitics and convenience that is quietly reshaping India’s outbound travel map.Longer flight durations linked to West Asia airspace disruptions, elevated airfares on several Europe-bound routes and a growing appetite for shorter international holidays are nudging Indian tourists toward Southeast Asia, with Vietnam emerging as one of the biggest winners of the shift.Travel companies and airlines say the trend has intensified over the past year, turning Vietnam from a relatively niche destination into one of the fastest-growing international markets for Indian outbound tourism.The numbers reflect that momentum clearly. Vietnam received nearly 8.8 million international visitors in the first four months of 2026, up 14.6% from a year earlier, according to the country’s latest tourism data. Indian arrivals rose far faster. More than 324,000 Indians visited Vietnam between January and April this year — a 59.1% jump over the same period last year — making India one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing major tourism source markets.India’s growth rate has significantly outpaced Vietnam’s broader tourism recovery. While total international arrivals grew 14.6% during the period, Indian visitor growth was more than four times higher, underlining how rapidly Vietnam is climbing Indian travel wishlists.“We have witnessed strong growth in flight and holiday bookings for Vietnam over the past few seasons, reflecting the increasing interest among Indian travellers in short-to-medium haul international destinations,” Rikant Pittie, CEO and co-founder of EaseMyTrip, told ET Online.Europe still retains its aspirational pull, he clarified. “European destinations continue to see steady growth in the range of 15–20%,” Pittie said. Yet travellers are no longer choosing destinations solely for prestige value.“What we are observing is a diversification in travel preferences, where travellers are evaluating destinations based on factors such as ease of travel, visa convenience, overall value, and experience offerings — and Vietnam is gaining traction due to such factors and overall value proposition,” he added.That changing behaviour is now visible in airline strategy too.Since its privatisation, Air India has rapidly expanded its Southeast Asia network, adding destinations including Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Bali, Manila and Shanghai within a relatively short period.“The rising demand for outbound travel, visa-on-arrival or visa-free access for Indians to more countries as well as a sustained appetite across MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and business segments have all contributed to this growth,” Air India told ET Online.The airline also pointed to growing appetite for premium travel within short- and medium-haul international routes.IndiGo announced daily direct flights between Delhi and Hanoi in October 2025, with services commencing from December that year, while Vietjet has expanded aggressively in India with 10 routes and 78 weekly flights connecting Vietnam to cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kochi, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.The timing of Vietnam’s tourism surge is not accidental.Airspace tensions in parts of West Asia have forced several carriers to reroute Europe-bound flights from India. Passengers, in turn, are seeing the effects in ticket prices and travel durations.Travel platforms say that while demand for Europe has not collapsed, travellers are increasingly weighing convenience and predictability more heavily than before.“Recent travel trends and booking patterns indicate a gradual impact on select long-haul routes, with some international sectors witnessing slightly longer travel durations and elevated airfares in recent months,” Pittie said.“Many travellers who are mindful of both time and budget are gradually exploring destinations that offer easier connectivity and more predictable travel experiences. Vietnam, in particular, has emerged as a convenient alternative due to its relatively stable access and seamless travel experience for Indian tourists.”Airlines globally have become more selective about deploying aircraft on long-haul sectors where operational uncertainty remains high. Shorter international routes, especially those with strong leisure demand and faster aircraft turnaround, are becoming increasingly attractive.Vietnam fits neatly into that equation.For Indian travellers, the country offers a rare combination: international luxury without European-level spending.“Vietnam is increasingly being perceived as a high-value international destination for Indian travellers, particularly among those seeking premium experiences at relatively accessible price points,” Pittie said.“Travellers are able to experience quality hospitality, curated itineraries, and upscale travel experiences more affordably.”Vietnam’s rise in India’s outbound tourism market has been swift enough to alter airline schedules.The demand surge is now large enough to show up clearly in tourism data. India accounted for more than 81,700 arrivals to Vietnam in April alone, according to official figures, with strong double-digit growth continuing into 2026.Air India launched flights to Ho Chi Minh City in June 2024 and added Hanoi services from May 1 this year, giving the carrier access to both of Vietnam’s major gateways.“Indian visitor arrivals in Vietnam have grown sharply and the momentum in 2026 remains strong,” the airline told ET Online.Vietnam’s tourism model also works particularly well for Indian travellers planning multi-city vacations.“Vietnam is not a single-city destination for most travellers; many begin their trips in Hanoi and end in Ho Chi Minh City, or vice versa,” Air India said.“This flexibility is equally valuable for business travellers as well as MICE groups who often need to cover multiple cities in one trip.”IndiGo currently operates 14 weekly flights connecting Kolkata with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and daily Delhi-Hanoi flights launched last December, while Vietjet now operates the largest Vietnam-India network with 10 routes and 78 weekly flights linking Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang to major Indian cities.Ease of access has played a major role in that expansion. Vietnam’s 90-day multi-entry e-visa has dramatically reduced travel friction for Indian tourists.“A large part of this growth is being driven by how much easier and more convenient travel to Vietnam has become for Indian travellers,” Pittie said.“The 90-day multi-entry e-visa has simplified the planning process significantly and made the destination more accessible.”Direct connectivity from major Indian cities has further accelerated demand.“Travellers today are increasingly looking for destinations that are easy to plan, accessible, and offer a smooth overall experience, and Vietnam fits very well into that preference shift,” he said.Travel companies say the Vietnam boom is not being powered by one category of tourists alone.Young professionals, families, honeymooners and first-time international travellers are all contributing to demand, reflecting a broader evolution in Indian travel habits after the pandemic.“Vietnam has rapidly emerged as one of the fastest-growing destinations for Indian travellers, particularly among young professionals and families,” Pittie said.“There is a visible shift towards experience-led travel, with travellers increasingly seeking cultural experiences, scenic destinations, and value-driven international holidays.”India is also emerging as one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing major Asian tourism markets, outpacing several traditional feeder markets including South Korea, Japan and China in percentage growth terms.
