Nguyen Thi Huyen Anh, Director of the Quang Ninh provincial Department of Tourism, welcomes the first group of Indian tourists to Ha Long Bay. (photo: VOV)

At the Ha Long international seaport, the guests were welcomed with an impressive lion dance before boarding 33 tourist ships to explore Ha Long Bay.

Ngo Doan Cuong, a ship owner, said: “We have been trained to serve guests and prepare food. We’ll do our best to impress them so they will return to Ha Long Bay many other times.”

The 4,500 Indian guests will be divided in small groups to visit Hanoi, Ha Long, and Ninh Binh until September 7.

Nguyen Thi Huyen Anh, Director of the Quang Ninh provincial Department of Tourism, said: “We have coordinated with restaurants and travel agencies specializing in serving Indian guests to ensure the best services, suiting their culture and cuisine. We also work with the Department of Health to ensure food safety and hygiene.”

The Indian market is one of the potential international tourist markets that Vietnam has exploited in recent years. This is the largest group of Indian tourists ever visiting Quang Ninh province.