At the North East India Festival in late October, Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, the Union Minister of State for External Affairs, invited airlines from Vietnam to consider launching direct flights to cities in India’s northeastern states. This move aims to boost investment and tourism prospects for both nations.
Singh highlighted Guwahati, the largest city in North East India, as the Gateway to Southeast Asia, emphasizing its international airport with established direct connections to Bangkok and Singapore.
All eight North East states are well connected by air, land, and rail with other parts of India. I invite airlines from Vietnam to explore possibilities of connecting NE states with cities by air.
Rajkumar Ranjan Singh – Union Minister of State for External Affairs
Underscoring the enduring friendship between India and Vietnam, rooted in shared history and fortified by India’s Act East Policy, Singh emphasized the exponential growth in bilateral trade. The trade between the two countries surged from a mere USD 200 million in 2000 to over USD 15 billion in 2022.
During recent discussions between the External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Vietnam, both sides aimed to elevate bilateral trade to USD 20 billion.
Singh pointed out the economic potential of the Northeast region of India, rich in resources like horticulture, medicinal plants, and organic farming. He stressed the opportunities for collaboration in sectors such as automobile, textile, infrastructure, IT, and healthcare between India and Vietnam.
The minister also highlighted the growing tourism industry in the Northeast and welcomed hospitality businesses from Vietnam to consider investing in the region. He assured that there would be support and assistance provided for Vietnamese investments in India.
At the Festival, a session spotlighting trade and investment opportunities, attended by companies from both regions, showcased potential collaborations in sectors like agriculture, handloom, and handicrafts. Additionally, a tourism-focused meeting saw participation from tour operators from Vietnam and North East India, aiming to enhance bilateral tourism and trade relations.
In an effort to further explore investment possibilities, Dinh Vinh Cuong, the Director of Vietnam International Entrepreneurs Networking Club, announced plans to lead a delegation of investors to North East India in February next year (2024).
The Festival offered Vietnam valuable insights into the region’s investment landscape and trade opportunities, fostering mutual understanding for potential collaborations.
Australian Hospitality Alumni Network Vietnam 