On May 7, 2026, on the occasion of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam's official state visit to India alongside a high-level Vietnamese delegation, Sun Group signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GMR Group - the world's leading airport operator, to elevate aviation and tourism cooperation between the two nations.
The signing ceremony took place in Mumbai in the presence of Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm and senior leaders from both countries.
With bilateral trade having doubled over the past decade since the two countries elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and air connectivity expanding rapidly to nearly 90 weekly flights, the signing marks a significant step forward in infrastructure and aviation cooperation between Vietnam and India, laying the groundwork for new commercial opportunities, particularly in the aviation and tourism sector.
.jpg?la=vi-VN&h=781&w=1616)
Elevating aviation infrastructure to world-class operational standards
Under the agreement, Sun Group and GMR Group will collaborate across Sun Group's airport ecosystem in Vietnam encompassing Phu Quoc, Van Don, Phu Quoc, and Phan Thiet and other upcoming airports with a focus on operation, development and investment in airports including non-aero, commercial operations, duty-free retail, etc. The scope of cooperation remains open-ended, creating room for both parties to expand further into adjacent areas of aviation infrastructure over time.
In parallel, both sides will work together to advance aviation connectivity and airport services cooperation between both countries including exploring new flight routes connecting Phu Quoc to key airports in GMR Group network with the aim of boosting tourist flows and bilateral trade.
With over 20 years of experience in aviation infrastructure, GMR Group currently manages and develops major airports across India, Indonesia, Philippines and Greece, including Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi - one of the World's busiest. The combined annual passenger capacity of airports under GMR Group's development reaches approximately 190 million.
This partnership is expected to introduce world-class operational standards, raising service quality and efficiency across Sun Group's airports, progressively reinforcing their role as gateway hubs for Vietnam's key tourist destinations, and strengthening the competitive position of Vietnamese aviation in the region.
With Sun Group having taken over operations at Phu Quoc International Airport and steering it toward a "destination airport" model and with the recent groundbreaking of Phan Thiet Airport's civil aviation component, the GMR Group partnership lays the foundation for long-term partnership in airport operations, development and improving connectivity corridors between Vietnam and India, spanning air transport, tourism, trade, and investment.
Connect Phu Quoc to the world
India has emerged as one of the fastest-growing international source markets for Vietnamese tourism. According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, Vietnam welcomed approximately 750,000 Indian visitors in 2025, a nearly 50% year-on-year increase and more than four times the 2019 figure, placing India among the top six largest inbound markets. In Q1 2026 alone, arrivals from India exceeded 242,000, up 169.3% year-on-year.
.jpg)
Among Vietnamese destinations, Phu Quoc stands out for its particularly strong appeal to Indian travelers, with search volumes up 47%. In 2025, the island welcomed over 150,000 Indian visitors, generating total tourism revenue of nearly VND 44 trillion. Indian travelers, especially the premium segment are drawn to Phu Quoc's all-in-one appeal: an integrated resort and entertainment ecosystem, increasingly convenient air access, and a 30-day visa exemption for international visitors.
The strategic partnership between Sun Group and India's leading operator go far beyond opening new flight routes and airport services cooperation, they lay the groundwork for deeper cultural, economic, and tourism ties between the two nations. In doing so, they help create new avenues for Vietnam broadly, and Phu Quoc in particular, to emerge as a compelling destination and a dynamic regional connectivity hub.
Also at the ceremony, Sun PhuQuoc Airways officially appointed Minar Group - one of India's leading travel companies with over 33 years of experience and a presence in 32 countries as its General Sales Agent (GSA) in the Indian market. As a strategic partner currently representing 11 international airlines, Minar Group will help Sun PhuQuoc Airways rapidly expand its distribution network and build a two-way passenger market while also laying a solid foundation for the airline to launch direct flights connecting Phu Quoc with key Indian destinations within 2026.
