The recent 9 day Media Tour of Vietnam comprising of members of All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) as well as officials from the Directorate of Information and Public Relations (DIPR) Manipur and Department of Tourism proved to be an eye opener for all as to how a country ravaged by war gathered itself and turned the tragedy the country experienced into avenues for economic growth and cultural development. Vietnam’s economic landscape has shown remarkable resilience and dynamism in recent years, with tourism emerging as one of its most compelling success stories. After the global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam’s tourism sector not only rebounded but achieved record milestones in 2025. According to official data, the country welcomed over 21.5 million international visitors and 135.5 million domestic travelers, generating total tourism revenue exceeding VND 1 quadrillion (~USD 38 billion) — figures that surpass pre-pandemic peaks and signal tourism as a key economic pillar. This recovery did not happen by chance. Vietnam’s government pursued a multi-pronged strategy focusing on open visa policies, diverse tourism products, infrastructure investment, and skill development, all supported by robust national planning and coordination among ministries. Visa exemptions were expanded and stay durations extended, making travel easier for visitors from key source markets. Simultaneously, localities across the country developed niche tourism segments — from heritage and cultural circuits in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to coastal and beach tourism in Da Nang and Quang Ninh — creating a balanced geographic spread of visitors and economic benefits.
The ripple effects of Vietnam’s tourism surge extend well beyond hotel rooms and airport arrivals. Tourism has become a major engine for allied industries — hospitality, transportation, handicrafts, food and beverage, entertainment, retail, and cultural industries. Restaurants, tour operators, local artisans, and small businesses have seen renewed demand, and job creation in the services sector has significantly contributed to employment growth nationally. The integration of tourism with related economic activities has strengthened domestic supply chains while boosting foreign exchange earnings.
In addition, Vietnam has embraced innovations in tourism, such as night-time economy initiatives, rural and agricultural tourism, and technologically enhanced experiences — from VR/AR cultural showcases to rail tourism packages — attracting diverse demographics and lengthening tourist stays. These innovations have helped diversify tourism offerings and dilute the risks of relying on a narrow set of attractions.
Contrast this success with the current situation in Manipur, a state rich with natural beauty, cultural depth, and unique biodiversity currently facing acute challenges both political and economic. Manipur’s tourism sector has suffered a staggering decline in visitor numbers — from around 1,79,000 tourists in 2019–20 to approximately 17,000 in 2024–25 a tenfold decrease. Civil unrest and perceptions of insecurity remain major deterrents, while high travel costs and restrictive permit requirements further dissuade visitors. Despite this, there are promising initiatives underway. Events such as the Sangai Tourism Festival have drawn stakeholders and highlighted the state’s potential for cultural and eco-tourism but remained untapped for long. Local projects like handloom clusters near Keibul Lamjao National Park aim to integrate traditional crafts into tourism value chains, fostering community engagement and livelihood linkages. And Imphal’s Loktak Lake, renowned for its floating phumdis, exemplifies how unique natural assets can be positioned as eco-tourism magnets when managed sustainably.
So what lessons from Vietnam could be relevant for Manipur?
- Clear Policy and Ease of Access: Vietnam’s tourism revival leaned heavily on visa facilitation and regulatory clarity. Manipur could benefit from streamlined travel protocols for both domestic and international visitors and targeted marketing campaigns to improve perception and accessibility.
- Improvement and diversification of Tourism Products: Vietnam’s success was rooted in a broad portfolio of experiences — heritage, culinary, adventure, wellness, and night-life tourism. Manipur, too, can package its culture, festivals, sports events, handloom tourism, and eco-experiences into thematic routes that appeal to diverse visitor segments while maintaining the required quality and levels to inspire confidence and uniformity.
- Development of Allied Industry: A key aspect of Vietnam’s model was the integration of tourism with related sectors — hospitality, craft production, transportation, and food services. Manipur could adopt similar clusters that connect local artisans to tourism demand, potentially expanding programs like fashion tourism to showcase traditional textiles while generating income.
- Capacity Building and Infrastructure: Investments in tourism infrastructure — airports, roads, hospitality training, and safety systems — were central to Vietnam’s growth. In Manipur, improving connectivity, developing quality lodging options from luxury and premium segments to budget and backpacker-friendly ones, and enhancing local hospitality skills are prerequisites for scaling tourism.
- Community-Centric and Sustainable Approaches: Vietnam’s rural and cultural tourism strategies included community participation and environmental stewardship. Manipur’s eco-tourism potentials at Loktak Lake and Keibul Lamjao, amongst a huge number of potential places present opportunities for responsible growth that protects ecosystems and elevates local livelihoods. And as much as the law-and-order situation permits- responsible and guided treks to Koubru, Mt. Isii (Dzuko), Siroy/ Shirui hills, Thangjing range, Baruni range etc to name just a few.
The rise of Vietnam’s tourism sector demonstrates the economic dividends possible when a region strategically harnesses its cultural and natural assets in harmony with business and public policy. For Manipur, the path may be challenging, but the essential building blocks — rich traditions, vibrant cultures, astounding biodiversity — are already in place. With coordinated vision, pragmatic policies, and community-led innovation, Manipur could chart its own renaissance in tourism and allied industries, turning promise into performance. But for the present these potentials remain an unrealized utopian dream.
