Vinpearl Signs MoUs with Top Indian Travel Firms to Boost Tourist Arrivals

Overview

Vinpearl, the hospitality arm of Vingroup (VIC), signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with three leading Indian travel companies—Thomas Cook India, SOTC Travel, and MakeMyTrip—on May 7, 2026, during a state visit by Vietnam’s top leaders to India. The partnerships aim to tap India’s booming outbound tourism market, with Indian guests at Vinpearl properties already surging 402% in 2025 and 335% in the first four months of 2026.

Key Facts

• Vinpearl signed MoUs with Thomas Cook India, SOTC Travel, and MakeMyTrip on May 7, 2026, at the Vietnam-India Business Forum in the presence of Vietnam’s Party General Secretary and President To Lam and Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis.
• Indian guests staying at Vinpearl properties increased 402% in 2025 compared to the previous year, and 335% in the first four months of 2026 year-on-year.
• Vinpearl operates 60 properties across Vietnam, offering a 5-star integrated ecosystem including accommodation, dining, entertainment, golf courses, and international convention centers.
• Thomas Cook India focuses on group, corporate, and large-scale MICE segments; SOTC Travel specializes in family, group tours, and mid-to-high-end leisure; MakeMyTrip is India’s leading online travel platform targeting young and independent travelers.
• Vingroup (VIC) closed at VND 177,000 on April 15, 2026, up 6.95% with volume of 6.36 million shares on HOSE.

What Happened

On May 7, 2026, Vinpearl signed MoUs with three major Indian travel companies—Thomas Cook India, SOTC Travel, and MakeMyTrip—at the Vietnam-India Business Forum. The event was witnessed by Vietnam’s Party General Secretary and President To Lam and Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis. The agreements aim to establish direct access to all customer segments in India, the world’s most populous country.

Vinpearl’s CEO, Mrs. Ngo Thi Huong, stated that India is a key market in the company’s internationalization strategy. She emphasized that the partnerships will expand market reach and enable the development of products tailored to Indian preferences, such as luxury weddings, family vacations, and MICE events. The company’s “all-in-one” ecosystem is particularly suited to Indian travelers’ needs for large groups, multi-generational families, and integrated experiences.

Market Context

VIC shares closed at VND 177,000 on April 15, 2026, up 6.95% on high volume of 6.36 million shares on HOSE. The stock has been supported by Vingroup’s broader expansion into new growth areas, including hospitality and tourism. The Indian outbound tourism market is growing rapidly due to a rising middle class, and Vinpearl’s early positioning through these partnerships could provide a sustained revenue boost. The broader Vietnamese tourism sector is also benefiting from improved air connectivity and visa policies.

Strategic Significance

The MoUs represent a targeted push into India, a high-growth source market for Vietnamese tourism. By partnering with three distinct travel companies covering different segments—group/MICE, family/leisure, and online/independent—Vinpearl is diversifying its customer acquisition channels. The strong growth in Indian guests (402% in 2025) validates the strategy. For Vingroup, this supports its hospitality segment’s recovery and expansion, leveraging its integrated resort model to capture higher-spending Indian tourists. The partnerships also align with Vietnam’s national tourism promotion efforts.

What to Watch

• Quarterly Indian guest arrival numbers at Vinpearl properties to confirm sustained growth momentum.
• Any new flight routes or charter programs between India and Vietnamese destinations announced by partners.
• Vingroup’s Q2 2026 earnings release for hospitality segment revenue and occupancy rates.
• Expansion of Vinpearl’s product offerings specifically for Indian weddings and MICE events.
• Potential follow-on MoUs with other Indian travel companies or airlines.