Hon’ble Prime Minister of India declares the year 2025 “ASEAN–India Year of Tourism” and has reaffirmed India’s commitment towards strengthening its Cultural, Economic and Tourism partnerships with the ASEAN countries. This visionary announcement encompasses the importance of tourism in building people-to-people connectivity, enhancing mutual prosperity and deepening ties of friendship.
With the novel initiative of fostering ties with the ASEAN countries, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Government of India, has entrusted the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) with the responsibility of organizing India’s participation in the prestigious International Tourism Event: the International Tourism Expo (ITE) Vietnam 2025, scheduled to be held from 4th to 6th September 2025 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
As a beginning of this novel relationship between India and ASEAN Nations and towards Celebrating 2025 as the ASEAN-India Year of Tourism, IRCTC association with Ministry of External Affairs led a strong delegation of Tourism Stakeholders from India & ASEAN Nations at PATA Travel Mart 2025, Bangkok marking a new chapter in cross cultural and tourism collaboration between India and ASEAN Countries. The Indian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Thailand Sh. Nagesh Singh inaugurated the vibrant ASEAN-India Pavilion adding impetus and relevance to the novel initiative of IRCTC and MEA promoting Indo- ASEAN Cross Cultural and Tourism Ties. Besides, IRCTC also organized a Road Show at Thailand on 28th August, 2025 which was attended by delegates from the Travel and Tourism Industry and was a grand success.
IRCTC is now setting up an exclusive ASEAN–India Pavilion, which will showcase the diverse tourism offerings of India to the global audience. The pavilion will be showcasing India’s rich Cultural Heritage, Spiritual & Wellness Experiences, Natural Landscapes, Adventure Opportunities and Luxury Travel Products such as IRCTC’s world-class Luxury Trains – The Maharajas’ Express, The Golden Chariot and the Buddhist Circuit Deluxe AC Tourist Trains as well as the Tourism landscape and offerings of ASEAN Countries.
The ASEAN–India Pavilion at Ho Chi Minh City was inaugurated by the Sh. Vipra Pandey Consul General of India in Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam, reflecting the significance of the event.
The Indian delegation, represented by IRCTC, will comprise of leading Tourism GSAs, State Tourism Board officials along with delegates from ASEAN countries representing both the tourism trade and policy-formulation organizations. This joint participation of INDO-ASEAN Countries symbolizes the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of ASEAN–India tourism cooperation and shared growth.
Besides, setting up of the ASEAN-INDIA pavilion, IRCTC will also be handling the entire logistics of the delegation. IRCTC is also organizing the ASEAN–India Tourism Road show at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam where the various Indo-ASEAN tourism products will be showcased to the audience comprising of travel and tourism trade bodies and other industry players. The road show will serve as an opportune platform for the delegation to directly interact with leading local travel agents and tour operators, fostering new trade collaborations and strengthening business ties.
The declaration of 2025 as the ASEAN–India Year of Tourism by the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India is an opportunity to project India as a major Global Tourism Hub for diverse customer segments.
The ASEAN India Pavilion in ITE Ho Chi Minh City has opened up new avenues avenues of promotion of Culture and Tourism amongst India and the ASEAN Nations.
The above initiative of ASEAN-India has played a catalytic role in laying the foundation of future growth and prosperity of both India as well as ASEAN countries thereby promoting Tourism, regional connectivity and business thereby cementing bonds of mutual trust and friendship in future.
