Vietnam and Indonesia agreed to work together in promoting tourism opportunities between them. As both countries are considered popular tourist destinations because of the overwhelming number of attractions they hold, including some of the world-recognized cultural and natural sites, rejoined efforts between the two neighbors may come up with even more attractive tour options for the millions of holiday-seekers that arrive at the region every year. Among the renowned places popularly sought for by tourists include the Yogyakarta and Bali in Indonesia and Hue and Halong Bay in Vietnam. Thus, travel agencies from both countries are cooperating and working on package offers that cover these destinations.

On top of that, Garuda Indonesia will launch direct flights between Jakarta and HCMC. Vietnam Airlines is also drafting similar efforts. Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Pitono Purnomo believe that the more air services between the two countries, the quicker tourism within the region would boost. Thus, the low-cost carrier Indonesia AirAsia have joined in the efforts and launched its direct Jakarta-HCMC route during September of 2009. At present, the airline flies weekly on this route, using the 180-seat Airbus A320. Among the other flights that link Indonesia and Vietnam include a stopover to Singapore and other destinations in Asia. Sriwijaya Air and Mandala Air are also named as among those to operate the flights between the two countries but no formal announcements have been made by the airline officials regarding the newly proposed market. With 400,000 Indonesians very eager to visit Vietnam every year apart from tourists from other regions, this could spell huge profits.

It isn’t just tourism where the two countries have agreed to partner on. Indonesia has invited Vietnamese investors in their country, involving themselves in different sectors including telecommunications, agricultural and marine industries among the many. Indonesian investors, likewise, brought in more than $2 billion worth of investments to Vietnam through several projects and the trade between the countries was said to reach US$2.5 billion during 2009. With the advantages experienced by both countries reeling from their partnership, the joint effort is seen to further strengthen in the coming years.