Joining Hands for Tourism Development

In its tourism development strategy, Vietnam always thinks highly of cooperation with nations in Northeast Asia, of which Korea is a member. Vietnam is not only new but also very appealing to Korean tourists. At the same time, Korea is a destination which attracts an increasing number of Vietnamese tourists. Furthermore, Vietnam has two Ly families which included some 250 smaller families emigrating to Korea. They have been in close contact with their fatherland and long for return visits. They annually pay a visit to Do Temple (in Bac Ninh province) where eight Ly Kings are worshipped. A lot of activities to support the growth of their homeland are being conducted. These families stimulate other Korean tourists to come to Vietnam. There are some 130,000 Koreans living and working in Vietnam. 300,000 Korean soldiers participated in the war in Vietnam prior to the 1970s many want to revisit the former theatre of war.

 

During recent years, the number of tourists to the two nations keeps increasing. Korea ranks second among markets providing tourists for Vietnam. According to statistics of the Korea National Tourism Organisation, 2010 witnessed 532,000 Korean tourists visiting Vietnam, up by nearly 40 percent against the previous year and 90,214 Vietnamese tourists to Korea, up by approximately 20 percent against 2010. There are some 80 flights by Korean, Asiana and Vietnam Airlines connecting Vietnam to Korea. In the first six months of 2011, there were 262,000 Korean tourists to Vietnam, an increase of 31.1 percent compared to the corresponding period. The cooperation for tourism development between the two nations is being well maintained and enhanced. In addition to the agreement for tourism cooperation and development with Busan, Ho Chi Minh City has recently signed the MOU for tourism cooperation with Jeju Island. Accordingly, the two cities will collaborate and exchange experience in developing tourism products. Via this cooperation, the two parties hope to raise the number of tourists to Jeju and Ho Chi Minh City. They will also advertise and introduce each other’s images to tourists and co-organise tourism events.

 

Mr Lim Hyung Taek, Chief Representative of Korea Tourism Administration, states that recently accelerated exchanges between the two countries have boosted tourism development. His side has made continuous endeavours in advertising and promoting its cultural and tourism products via Internet and mass media. It has enthusiastically participated in events which help improve mutual cooperation, as well as provided assistance to activities related to tourism product development. In early June 2011, ten large Vietnamese enterprises together with over 400 representatives from tourism enterprises in five continents took part in Korea International Travel Mart 2011 organised by Korean Tourism Year Committee and Tourism Ministry. A lot of consulting and experience exchange activities were held on this occasion.

 

A number of difficulties and limitations regarding tourism cooperation and development between Korea and Vietnam have also been revealed. To overcome these limitations, the two nations have reached an agreement on accelerating bilateral cooperation. Mr Ha Chan Ho also believes that tourism enterprises of Korea and Vietnam can together develop tour packages to Korean destination like Seoul, Cheju Island and Kyongiu Old Capital and Vietnamese destinations including Ha Long Bay and Hue.