Andhra Pradesh signs MoU with Vietnam Travel Association to boost Buddhist tourism

The Government of Andhra Pradesh signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Vietnam Travel Association. The agreement aims to promote tourism and attract Buddhist visitors from ASEAN countries to the State’s Buddhist and tribal circuits.

The MoU was signed at the Collectorate in Visakhapatnam. Cao Tri Dung, chairman of the Vietnam Travel Association, led the Vietnamese delegation. The event was also attended by Special Chief Secretary (Tourism and Culture) Ajay Jain, District Collector Harendhira Prasad, and APTA Deputy CEO A. Srinivas.

Ajay Jain explained that the MoU is part of the State’s strategy to attract tourists from Southeast Asia, particularly the 240 million Buddhists across ASEAN countries. He also mentioned that Tourism Minister Durgesh had recently visited Vietnam and suggested extending Buddhist pilgrimage routes from Bodh Gaya to include Andhra Pradesh.

District Collector Harendhira Prasad called the agreement “a first step towards increasing tourism with eastern countries” and expressed hope for a rise in tourist arrivals.

Vijay Mohan, president of the Andhra Pradesh Tourism Forum, noted that the State’s potential extended beyond ASEAN countries. He pointed out that countries like Japan, China, Korea, and Taiwan have over 640 million Buddhists who could also visit Andhra Pradesh’s heritage sites.