Da Nang strengthens tourism cooperation with India

Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Le Trung Chinh hosted a reception on Monday for Mr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Governor of Odisha State, India, during his visit to the city as part of the delegation accompanying the sacred relics of Shakyamuni Buddha being returned from Viet Nam to India.

Mr. Hari Babu Kambhampati, Governor of Odisha in India, (left) presented a souvenir to Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Le Trung Chinh. Photo: T. PHUONG

During the meeting, Chairman Le Trung Chinh expressed his gratitude for the support of the Indian Government, the Indian Cultural Centre, and the Indian Embassy in the organisation of the ceremony to enshrine the sacred relics of the Buddha which had been brought from India to Viet Nam on the occasion of the 2025 United Nations Day of Vesak.

In Da Nang, the relics were solemnly enshrined at the Quan The Am Pagoda in Ngu Hanh Son District, attracting a large number of Buddhist monks, nuns and devotees, and visitors. The event was not only a spiritual and religious ceremony but also a meaningful cultural exchange activity, symbolising the friendship and cultural ties between India and Viet Nam.

Chairman Chinh also briefed Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Da Nang’s socio-economic situation and its development strategies for the future.

In 2024, Indian tourists ranked fifth among Da Nang’s international visitor markets. Currently, there are seven Indian-invested projects registered in the city, with a total capital of around US$ 460,000 – a modest figure compared to the cooperation potential between the two sides.

Leaders of Da Nang posed for a commemorative photo with the Indian delegation. Photo: T. PHUONG

The city leader encouraged the Indian Governor to facilitate connections with Indian investors and businesses interested in spheres such as information technology, healthcare, education, and tourism. “The municipal government is committed to creating a favourable, efficient, and secure investment environment for Indian enterprises to invest in Da Nang” he emphasised.

In reply, Indian Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati expressed his appreciation for the city’s active support in hosting the Buddha relics at the Quan The Am Pagoda and praised Da Nang’s strategic development vision.

He provided an overview of Odisha, a state with strong industries in mineral resources and information technology. Odisha is also known as one of the key ancient Buddhist centres in India.

He also expressed his wish to deepen cooperation with Da Nang in such aspects as education, healthcare, information technology, and spiritual tourism in the time to come. He also underscored the importance of enhancing people-to-people exchanges to further strengthen the friendship between India and Viet Nam.

DA NANG Today