Vietnam and Azerbaijan are poised to significantly expand their tourism cooperation, fueled by a strengthening strategic partnership and growing mutual interest. This follows a recent meeting between the Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Nguyen Trung Khanh, and the Azerbaijani Ambassador to Vietnam, Shovgi Mehdizada, on August 28th. The meeting focused on charting a course for future collaboration in the tourism sector.
The meeting, held amidst the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and Vietnam’s National Day on September 2nd, saw Ambassador Mehdizada extend warm congratulations to the Vietnamese Communist Party, government, and people. He highlighted the steadily growing relationship between the two nations since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1959, with tourism emerging as a key area for collaboration.
A Strategic Partnership Fuels Tourism Growth
The visit of General Secretary To Lam to Azerbaijan in May 2025 elevated the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, resulting in the signing of several key cooperation documents. Tourism was explicitly identified as a priority sector within this enhanced framework. This strategic elevation provides a significant impetus for increased tourism exchanges.
This strengthened partnership materialized in concrete ways this year. For the first time, Azerbaijan participated in the International Travel Expo Ho Chi Minh City (ITE HCMC) 2025, securing its own exhibition booth. Furthermore, Azerbaijan plans to hold a “Discover Azerbaijan” seminar at the Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism in September.
Azerbaijan’s Growing Interest in Vietnamese Culture and Tourism
Ambassador Mehdizada emphasized the increasing popularity of Vietnam among Azerbaijanis, particularly among young people, thanks to cultural exchange programs. Azerbaijan annually organizes “Vietnam Days” events, showcasing Vietnamese art, culture, cuisine, and music through the participation of Vietnamese artists, scientists, and businesses. These events play a vital role in fostering people-to-people exchange and promoting Vietnam as a tourist destination.
Ambassador Mehdizada expressed appreciation for Vietnam’s support and expressed his desire to further strengthen cooperation, particularly in the exchange of delegations and the expansion of tourism promotion activities.
Vietnam’s Commitment to Expanding Tourism Cooperation
In response, VNAT Director Nguyen Trung Khanh expressed gratitude for Ambassador Mehdizada’s contribution to enhancing tourism ties between the two countries. He underscored the long-standing friendly relations between Vietnam and Azerbaijan, noting Azerbaijan’s significant role in training generations of Vietnamese professionals, particularly in the oil and gas sector – a foundation for broader cooperation.
Currently, Vietjet Air operates some charter flights between the two countries, but the frequency remains limited. Increasing these flights and establishing regular direct flights were identified as crucial steps to facilitating increased tourist exchanges.
Addressing the Challenges and Opportunities
Director Khanh acknowledged the substantial potential for tourism exchange between the two countries, recognizing that Vietnam’s tourism offerings align well with Azerbaijani preferences. However, he highlighted the key challenges: the lack of direct flights and limited information dissemination.
The participation of Azerbaijan in ITE HCMC 2025, with its dedicated booth, is seen as a significant step towards connecting markets and boosting cooperation. This direct market engagement will be crucial in overcoming information barriers.
Concrete Steps Towards a Collaborative Future
Director Khanh emphasized VNAT’s readiness to collaborate closely with the Azerbaijani tourism authorities, aiming to formalize a bilateral tourism cooperation agreement. He expressed a strong desire to enhance tourism promotion efforts and actively promote the establishment of direct flights to improve accessibility for tourists.
Regarding the “Discover Azerbaijan” seminar, VNAT pledged to send representatives from its leadership and relevant departments. The VNAT also requested the Azerbaijani Embassy to provide contact information to ensure effective coordination and collaboration for this and future initiatives.
Expanding Cooperation through Tourism
The meeting between Director Khanh and Ambassador Mehdizada signifies a significant step towards deepening the already strong bilateral relationship between Vietnam and Azerbaijan. The focus on tourism cooperation, particularly in the context of the newly established Strategic Partnership, promises to unlock substantial opportunities for both nations. The initiatives discussed, including increased flight frequency, joint tourism promotion campaigns, and enhanced information sharing, are expected to yield tangible results in the near future, bolstering cultural exchange and economic ties. The successful outcome hinges on sustained collaboration and commitment from both sides.
