Vietnam?s tourism development discussed

A national seminar was held in Hanoi yesterday to discuss Vietnam?s tourism development in the international integration process.

The event entitled ?Developing Vietnam?s Tourism towards International Integration? was held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in co-ordination with Nhan Dan (People) Newspaper.

Addressing the seminar, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan who is head of the State Steering Committee for tourism stressed the important role of the tourism sector in the economy. Vietnam receives over ten million domestic and four million international tourist arrivals each year and has a great potential for developing tourism. It is among the top forty countries welcoming the highest numbers of tourists.

The Deputy Prime Minister also asked the sector to take measures to meet the demands of the increasing number of foreign tourists, such as simplifying immigration procedures and enhancing tourism promotion. The skills of staffs and tour guides must be improved and Vietnamese cultural and traditional family values should be preserved and promoted.

The minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism spoke highly of the potential of domestic market while developing tourism products for foreign tourists. This, as he said would contribute to balancing the tourism sector?s business and improving the people?s spiritual and cultural lives.   

According to Nhan Dan Newspaper?s Editor-in-Chief Dinh The Huynh, it is essential to have overall development plans for tourist sites and define their unique characteristics to create authentic Vietnamese tourism products. Besides, the media also plays a very important role in promoting and advertising tourism, he added.