The May 06, 2026 “Joint Statement on Enhanced Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the Republic of India and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam” makes generous reference to ‘Culture, Tourism Cooperation and People-To-People Exchanges’ between Vietnam and India wherein both sides intend to boost people’s mobility across both countries. Further, a careful reading of the Joint Statement suggests that their focus is on tourism, education, business, and cultural exchanges.

These soft power initiatives play a major role in bilateral relations and thereby support mutual trust in a number of ways. First is about civilizational bonds and shared spiritual heritage between India and Vietnam. It is quite common for a Head of State visiting India to first arrive in New Delhi, the capital of India, or a business destination such as Mumbai which is the financial-business capital. In a distinct departure from the above practice, on his arrival in India, President Mr. To Lam first visited Bodh Gaya, the revered site of Buddhism, thereby cementing the “shared civilisational and spiritual traditions” between the two countries. This prompted Prime Minister Modi to tweet “Making it even more special is the fact that he [President Mr. To Lam ] began his India visit from Bodh Gaya, reflecting the shared civilisational and spiritual traditions of our two countries”.

As part of their commitment to boost cultural and spiritual ties, India has offered to send the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha to Vietnam and these would be available to the Vietnamese people to offer reverence during May-June 2026. Buddhism arrived in Vietnam from India as early as the second century A.D. and has grown in popularity over the centuries. Large number of Vietnamese (follow predominantly Mahayana traditions) visit Bodhgaya and other Buddhist sites in India (Sarnath, Kushinagar, Shravasti, Kaushambi, Kapilvastu, and Sankisa) every year. In Vietnam the historical Dau Pagoda is representative of the centuries old Buddhist connections between the two countries. It merits mention that Vietnamese Buddhist ascetic Thich Minh Tue, known for his 2024 barefoot pilgrimage across Vietnam, is continuing his journey on foot to India. Prime Minister Modi has now invited Vietnamese tourists and pilgrims to visit the Buddhist Circuit in India.

Second, the tourism sector including medical and wellness tourism between the two countries has been a success story and promoted “people-to-people ties and economic growth” resulting in the signing of the MOU between Ministry of Tourism of India and Ministry of Sports, Culture and Tourism of Vietnam on Cooperation. H`ô An Phong, Deputy Minister of Tourism of Vietnam has noted that Indian tourists to Vietnam have increased three fold during the last three years.

The air connectivity between India and Vietnam has improved (over 90 direct flights per week) and Vietnam is not only popular but also preferred destination for Indian tourists for multiple reasons. Vietnam has also encouraged the Indian film industry particularly the Bollywood to shoot films in Vietnam “For this year [2025] we have three Indian movies that are being shot in Vietnam and the latest film, Love in Vietnam will be released very soon”.

Third, restoration and conservation work on heritage sites in Vietnam. The work undertaken by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is commendable and includes prominent sites are Cham temples at My Son (Lord Shiva which is representative of shared Hindu civilization ties), Nhan Tower project in Dak Lak province and digitization of Cham manuscripts . The ASI has successfully undertaken restoration work in Cambodia at Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm Temple (Siem Reap), Preah Vihear Temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva) and other statue restoration projects.

Fourth, India has announced ICCR Chairs of India Studies in Da Nang University and University of Social Sciences and Humanities. Vietnamese students study in India and pursue degrees (undergraduate, master's, and PhD) for which Indian ‘Ambassador’s scholarship programme’ to cover tuition fee, lodging and meal costs have been set up. In the past decade, over 5000 Vietnamese nationals have secured educational degree and short-term training courses in India. 

Fifth, Vietnam has consistently supported International Day of Yoga and the Indian missions have actively promoted Yoga in Vietnam through events. The Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre set up by the Government of India at Hanoi is responsible for promoting and coordinating Yoga related activities in Vietnam. It is estimated that there are over 4,000 yoga clubs and 500,000 regular practitioners in Vietnam. The 2026 Joint Statement notes that both sides have agreed to greater cooperation among yoga institutions of the two countries.

In essence Vietnam and India have embedded ‘soft power’ in their respective policy choices. The Cultural Exchange Programme for 2026 - 2030 can potentially stimulate cultural exchanges and people-to-people contacts. Further, the 2026 Joint Statement can act as a catalyst to improve their respective ranking in Global Soft Power Index as well as bring enormous gains to both countries. Interestingly, a “Vietnamese community” is emerging in India and are “making practical contributions to the two countries’ friendship and cooperation”.

Dr.Dr. Vijay Sakhuja is associated with the Kalinga International Foundation, New Delhi.