Vietnam and Indonesia should work together to attract international tourists as both countries have popular destinations, an official said.

Companies can offer package tours to Bali, Yogyakarta, Ha Long and Hue, Ambassador of Indonesia to Vietnam, Pitono Purnomo, said at a press briefing in Ho Chi Minh City Tuesday.

In order to boost tourism, national carrier Garuda Indonesia will launch a direct route linking Jakarta and Ho Chi Minh City, said Purnomo. He said Vietnam Airlines should also offer similar services.

Purnomo said around 400,000 Indonesians want to visit Vietnam every year.

Apart from tourism, the ambassador said Indonesia is encouraging Vietnamese companies to invest in rubber, pepper and seafood projects in Indonesia.

Trade between the countries reached US$2.5 billion last year, official statistics showed. Purnomo said Indonesian investors have invested more than $2 billion in Vietnam.