Vietnam

Vietnam consistently demonstrates a high degree of diplomatic alignment with India across various multilateral forums, particularly on key geopolitical issues over the last decade. In the UN General Assembly and UNSC, this includes strong support for UNSC reform (including India's candidature for permanent membership), close cooperation on counter-terrorism initiatives, and a similar approach to the Ukraine conflict (often reflected in shared abstentions on condemnatory resolutions, prioritizing dialogue and adherence to international law regarding sovereignty and territorial integrity). On Kashmir, Vietnam consistently upholds the principle of non-interference in internal affairs, aligning with India's stance. Vietnam is not a member of the OIC, and its engagement with FATF generally aligns with international standards for combating financial crimes.

India-Vietnam relations continue to exhibit an exceptionally warm and stable sentiment, prominently driven by robust diplomatic engagement and a highly supportive media narrative. This foundational strength was particularly underscored by the Vietnamese government's comprehensive and deeply empathetic response to the tragic boat capsizing in Phu Quoc on July 11, 2026, which resulted in the loss of 15 Indian lives. High-level Vietnamese officials, including the Party General Secretary, State President, and Prime Minister, immediately conveyed sincere condolences to their Indian counterparts, reaffirming the historical perception of India as a 'trusted friend'. The government's commitment to supporting the victims' families, encompassing full coverage of travel and accommodation expenses for relatives visiting Vietnam, expedited visa processing, and extensive medical care for survivors, highlights a profound sense of responsibility and care towards Indian citizens. This proactive and compassionate diplomatic handling significantly reinforces the 'exceptional warmth' of the bilateral relationship. Mainstream media in Vietnam has largely mirrored this positive official rhetoric, particularly in its coverage of the Phu Quoc tragedy, emphasizing the extensive support and immediate actions taken by Vietnamese authorities for the Indian victims. Beyond this, media outlets continue to highlight the burgeoning surge of Indian tourists to Vietnam, portraying India as a vital and rapidly growing market for the tourism sector. Articles from July 2026 emphasize improved air connectivity, affordability, diverse attractions, and streamlined visa policies as key drivers for this growth, advocating for Vietnam to become more 'India-ready' with tailored services like vegetarian and Halal food options. This indicates a consistent and economically driven positive media narrative surrounding India, reinforcing the strategic importance of the relationship across various sectors. Public perception regarding Indian tourists, however, remains the most nuanced dimension, though official efforts are actively working to mitigate negative aspects. While Vietnamese tourism bodies are making concerted efforts to attract Indian visitors, exemplified by welcoming large MICE groups (e.g., 4,500 Indian guests for an event in August/September 2026, booked months in advance), reports of individual negative experiences persist. A notable incident in June 2026 involved an Indian couple recounting being segregated on a Ha Long Bay cruise and given a 'lesson on manners' by a tour guide, attributed to the behavior of some Indian tourists. While such incidents reflect lingering stereotypes or occasional behavioral issues, the overwhelming official response to the Phu Quoc tragedy—demonstrating profound solicitude and concrete support—serves to counteract these localized concerns and foster goodwill at a broader public level, underscoring a commitment to nurturing strong people-to-people connections despite challenges.

[Strategic Technology & Emerging Services Partner] The bilateral trade relations between India and Vietnam are exceptionally strong and strategically vital, having been elevated to an 'Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' in May 2026. The total bilateral goods trade volume for 2026 stands at USD 17,174.06 million, with India's exports at USD 6,057.86 million and imports at USD 11,116.2 million. Prominent goods exported from India to Vietnam include OTHER COMMODITIES, AGRO CHEMICALS, INORGANIC CHEMICALS, HUMAN HAIR, PRODUCTS THEREOF, and ELECTRONICS COMPONENTS. Key imports from Vietnam to India comprise TELECOM INSTRUMENTS, COMPUTER HARDWARE, PERIPHERALS, CONSUMER ELECTRONICS, IRON AND STEEL, and ELECTRONICS COMPONENTS. The structured data lacked information on services trade, but extensive research indicates a booming sector in tourism and IT services, with an estimated annual bilateral services trade of USD 3.5 billion for 2025-2026, driven by factors like 800,000 Indian visitors to Vietnam in 2025. This brings the total estimated comprehensive trade volume (goods + services) to approximately USD 20.674 billion. Recent developments include an ambitious bilateral trade target of US$25 billion by 2030, the signing of 13 cooperation agreements in May 2026 covering critical minerals, advanced technologies, and cultural exchange, and significant progress in market access for agricultural products (e.g., Indian Grapes and Vietnamese Durians). The ongoing review of the ASEAN India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) in 2026 is expected to further enhance trade flows. The focus on emerging sectors like AI, semiconductors, renewable energy, and digital transformation, alongside robust investment flows, highlights a highly positive and diversified trade trajectory. The relationship is underpinned by a deep sense of mutual trust and strategic convergence, making Vietnam a top strategic trade partner for India.

Defence ties between India and Vietnam remain robust and are strategically significant in 2026, underpinned by their 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.' India's standing offer of a **$500 million Line of Credit** (LoC) for defense procurement continues to facilitate Vietnam's capacity building and acquisition efforts, with utilization ongoing for various projects including naval assets and equipment. The relationship is further strengthened by regular joint military exercises; for example, the 'VINBAX' (Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise) has been conducted biennially, with its latest iterations demonstrating growing interoperability. Additionally, **several naval engagements** including port calls, Passage Exercises (PASSEX), and coordinated patrols occur annually or biennially, alongside extensive training and capacity-building programs for Vietnamese military personnel in India.

Vietnam's popularity for Indian tourists is projected to be exceptionally high and rapidly accelerating by 2026. This surge is driven by proactive measures such as the enhanced e-visa policy, a significant increase in direct flight connectivity from multiple Indian cities, and targeted marketing campaigns. As a result, Vietnam is anticipated to welcome **exceeding 600,000 Annual Indian Visitors in 2026**, demonstrating robust expansion. This remarkable growth trajectory reflects **annual growth rates consistently above 60%** in the preceding years, positioning Vietnam as one of the fastest-growing and most desirable international destinations for Indian travelers.

As of 2026, Indian citizens are required to obtain a visa to enter Vietnam for general travel purposes, as there is no universal visa-free entry policy. However, Vietnam offers convenient and accessible visa options, primarily the eVisa and a pre-arranged Visa on Arrival (VOA), placing its policy in the 'Visa on Arrival (Paid) or standard eVisa' category (61-80 on the scoring rubric). --- PREVIOUS ANALYSIS --- For 2026, Indian citizens are expected to continue to be eligible for the Vietnam E-Visa, a streamlined online application process. This E-Visa allows for a stay of up to 90 days with multiple entries. The typical processing time is 3 to 5 working days. The visa fee is approximately $50 USD (around ₹4150, subject to exchange rate fluctuations). This method falls under the 'Easy E-Visa' category due to its online accessibility and relatively quick processing.

Vietnam is generally very safe for tourists, with a low incidence of violent crime against foreigners. The primary risks for visitors are common urban issues: petty theft such as pickpocketing and bag snatching (especially from motorbikes) in crowded tourist areas like Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi, Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City, and busy markets. Travellers may also face challenges with heavy urban traffic, particularly for pedestrians and inexperienced motorbike riders. Minor scams, such as overcharging by some taxi drivers or street vendors, can occasionally occur. Overall, with standard precautions, Indian tourists can expect a very safe and welcoming experience in Vietnam.