HCM City (VNA) – A programme linking the strength of Vietnam’stourism opened in Ho Chi Minh City on August 8, seeking ways to gaininternational tourism growth and comprehensive recovery of Vietnam’s tourism.

The two-day event is jointly held by the Vietnam TourismAssociation, the Tourism Association of Ho Chi Minh City, and the VietnamNational Administration of Tourism.

Nguyen Thi Khanh, President of Ho Chi Minh City’s TourismAssociation, said that at present, domestic tourism is gradually recoveringwith positive results, but international tourism, both inbound and outbound,has not recovered as expected. Therefore, in addition to trading activitiesbetween units in the tourism industry, the programme also has activities tointroduce new products and services of localities and businesses aroundthe country.

Organisers said that they will organise tours todestinations in Ho Chi Minh City and other southern localities forrepresentatives of tourism departments, tourism promotion centres andassociations of tourism and travel businesses to strengthen Vietnam’s tourismconnectivity in the coming time.

Also on the day, within the framework of the programme, atalkshow was held, offering a venue for localities and businesses to meet andexchange measures to recover and develop the industry.

Speaking at the event, Minister of Culture, Sports and TourismNguyen Van Hung said that the sector is working with localities to continue removingdifficulties and bottlenecks in tourism recovery and development.

He asked localities themselves to effectively exploitindigenous and cultural resources, and ecotourism; improve services; and haveat least a unique tourism product.

At the talkshow, several tourism businesses and travelagents agreed that this event is practical and the very first step for theclose cooperation between localities and units operating in this industryacross the nation, with the goal of attracting more international tourists.

Cao Thi Tuyet Lan, CEO of Viettours Incentives & EventsCo., Ltd., said that to quickly recover international tourism, Vietnam'stourism industry needs to look directly at the current situation.

According to her, some localities have not really opened itsdoors or paid due attention to promoting tourism and attracting more tourists. Worse still, the country’s infrastructure is overloaded, even visa proceduresfor international visitors remain difficult.

Vo Anh Tai, Saigontourist Deputy General Director, proposedlocalities to have plans to develop products, and conferences and seminars notonly on tourism, but also on diplomacy, culture and sports./.