Vietnam to open consulate in Chandigarh

Vijay C Roy

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 12

Seeking increased cooperation from North-based industries and travel community, the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to India is planning to open a consulate in Chandigarh. It also plans to propose a direct flight from Chandigarh to main cities of Vietnam.

“We are working on modalities and soon we will have our consulate in Chandigarh to seek greater cooperation with industries and travel community in Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, J&K, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh,” said Ambassador of Vietnam to India Pham Sanh Chau in an interaction with The Tribune here today.

Both Punjab and Haryana have emerged as significant markets sharing economic and tourism potentials with Vietnam. Punjab is a hub of textile-based industries, including yarn, readymade garments and hosiery, pharmaceutical and agricultural products, whose exports feature Vietnam among India’s top 15 trading partners.

“In 2018, 65,000 Indians visited Vietnam. The number swelled to 1,70,000 in 2019. Out of these, a significant percentage was from the northern region. So we see a huge potential,” Chau said.

“We aspire to forge a positive relationship between India and Vietnam across a wide number of sectors. From developing Indian business interests in Vietnam to working closely with travel agencies in North India to boost tourism, we are working to create a favourable image of Vietnam by developing economic and tourism-related activities in the region,” he added.