Min proposes two Buddhist Tourism Circuits in APAndhra Pradesh-Vietnam Tourism Conclave held

Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh has proposed the establishment of two major Buddhist Tourism Circuits in AP. He was addressing the Andhra Pradesh-Vietnam Tourism Conclave-2024 at a hotel here on Friday. H E Enguyen Thanaih represented Vietnam at the event, which was attended by over 200 representatives from both the countries.  
Minister Kandula Durgesh revealed that several programmes have been undertaken with the aim of strengthening tourism and cultural exchange between Andhra Pradesh and Vietnam. He spoke about tourism development possibilities in the State. A video which showed the tourist destinations, culture and specialties of the State attracted the attention of the audience.
The Tourism Minister told the Vietnamese delegation that apart from tourist spots, there are several Buddhist sites, historical places, shrines and pilgrimage centres in AP. He told them that AP stands third in the country in attracting tourists.
Minister Durgesh also spoke about the State’s Buddhist heritage. Andhra Pradesh has monuments such as Dhanyakatak (Amaravati), Mahastupas in Bhattiprolu and rock caves in Guntupalli. Also, it is the birthplace of Mahayana Buddhism and home to more than 40 important monuments, he added. He mentioned the Buddhist places located in Srikakulam-Visakhapatnam, Kalingapatnam, Mukhalingam, Salihundam, Ramatheertham, Thotlakonda, Pavuralakonda, Bavikonda, Bojjana Konda, Shankaram, Adurru, Kothur, between Amaravati-Nagarjunakonda, Gudivada, Amaravati, Jaggayyapet, Allur Nagarjunakonda, Anupu, Chadavaram, Ghantasala, Undavalli and at Guntupalli.
“The Lumbini festival is organised in a grand way in AP, in which a large number of tourists participate,” the Minister observed. He underlined the need of encouraging joint ventures in hospitality, infrastructure development and eco-tourism sectors between AP and Vietnam.
H E EnguyenThanaih wished that the relations between India and Vietnam would be further strengthened. He praised Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu as a visionary leader. AP Chamber of Commerce president Potluri Bhaskar Rao and Tourism Association president Vijay Mohan also spoke.
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