TEHRAN – Iran and Vietnam have significant tourism potential, but limited direct flights and a lack of cultural understanding continue to hinder exchanges between the two countries, Vietnamese Ambassador to Iran Nguyen Luong Ngoc said.

Speaking to ILNA, Nguyen highlighted that many Vietnamese know little about Iran. “First of all, the lack of understanding between the two countries must be addressed,” he said, adding that the Iranian embassy in Vietnam has a key role in promoting Iranian tourism.

Efforts to open tourism routes between Iran and Vietnam began a decade ago. Despite interest from both governments in launching direct flights, they have yet to materialize, making travel more expensive and less convenient for tourists.

“The biggest challenges remain the absence of direct flights and limited mutual cultural knowledge,” Nguyen said. “Many Vietnamese perceive Iran only through the lens of oil or politics, while Iranians are not well informed about Vietnam’s tourist destinations.”

Nguyen highlighted Vietnam’s growth in international tourism over the past decade. “Tourism is one of Vietnam’s main priorities. Last year alone, over 20 million foreign tourists visited Vietnam – more than China, Australia, or the United States. Of these, only 5,000 were Iranians. We hope this number will rise with improved flight connections and cooperation with travel agencies.”

On Vietnamese tourism to Iran, Nguyen said exact figures are unavailable but expressed optimism. “Iran offers mountains, deserts, and UNESCO-listed historical and cultural sites that can strongly attract Vietnamese travelers.”

He also pointed to recent cultural initiatives to raise awareness of Iran in Vietnam. “The Iranian government held a cultural and artistic festival in Hanoi, where a traditional Iranian music performance was well received and broadcast on Vietnamese television. Vietnamese children read One Thousand and One Nights and are interested in seeing Iran and experiencing its ancient civilization firsthand.”

Nguyen noted upcoming cultural exchanges. “During the Vietnamese New Year and Nowruz celebrations, exchanges of journalists, visits by Vietnamese artists, and cooperation between travel agencies can further strengthen understanding between our countries.”

Looking ahead, Nguyen said Vietnam aims to become a regional tourism hub, citing new airports in the south and in Hanoi, each designed to handle up to 100 million passengers annually. “Our goal is to increase Iranian visitors to Vietnam from 5,000 to 20,000 by expanding direct flights and tourism infrastructure. Likewise, we hope more Vietnamese tourists will discover Iran as an international destination.”

To enhance bilateral tourism, Nguyen suggested B2B and B2G meetings, collaboration between travel agencies, journalist exchanges, family trips, and cultural programs through the embassies. “With the support of airlines, direct flights, and better promotion of tourism and cultural capacities, tourism and investment relations between Iran and Vietnam can grow, bringing the two nations closer together,” he said.

KD