Vijayawada, Sep 20 (Reporter) Andhra Pradesh Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh on Friday said the government has proposed to establish two major Buddhist Tourism Circuits in the state. The Minister said this while speaking at the Andhra Pradesh-Vietnam Tourism Conclave 2024 being held in a hotel here. EnguyenThanaih represented Vietnam. Over 200 representatives from the two countries attended the conclave. Addressing the conclave, Durgesh revealed that several programmes have been undertaken with the aim of strengthening tourism and cultural exchange between Andhra Pradesh and Vietnam. He explained the possibilities of tourism development in the state. As part of the Conclave, the video showing the tourist areas, culture and specialties of the state attracted the attention of attendees. The Tourism Minister explained to the representatives of Vietnam that along with the tourist areas, there are tens of Buddhist places, historical places, shrines and places of pilgrimage in AP. He stated that AP stands in the third place in attracting the largest number of tourists in the country. Durgesh also explained the background of the State having Buddhist heritage. He reminded that Andhra Pradesh has monuments such as Dhanyakatak (Amaravati), Mahastupas in Bhattiprolu and rock caves in Guntupalli. The Minister said that Andhra Pradesh is the birthplace of Mahayana Buddhism and home to more than 40 important monuments. He explained about the historical Buddhist places located in Srikakulam-Visakhapatnam, between Kalingapatnam-Mukhalingam, Salihundam, Ramatheertham, Thotlakonda, Pavuralakonda, Bavikonda, Bojjana Konda, Shankaram, Adurru, Kothur and also between Amaravati-Nagarjunakonda, at Gudivada, Amaravati, Jaggayyapet, Allur Nagarjunakonda, Anupu, Chadavaram, Ghantasala, Undavalli and at Guntupalli in AP. “The Lumbini festival, which highlights the Buddhist heritage, is organized in a grandeur manner in the state in which a large number of forest tourists participate," the Minister observed. Durgesh underlined the need of encouraging joint ventures in hospitality, infrastructure development and eco-tourism sectors between AP and Vietnam. The Minister informed that 37,232 Vietnam tourists will visit India in 2022. Vietnam representative 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. A video was shown on the tourism development in Vietnam. AP Chamber of Commerce president Potluri Bhaskar Rao and Tourism Association President Vijay Mohan also spoke...////...