Vietnam, RoK step up tourism ties hinh anh 1A performance at a gala dinner to mark the 25th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties on December 14 (Photo: VNA)

Seoul (VNA) - The Vietnam Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnamese Embassy in the Republic of Korea (RoK) on December 14 held a tourism-culture festival, aiming to promote cooperation between the two countries in this sector.

Addressing the event, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien expressed his belief that apart from enhancing bilateral cultural and tourism ties, the festival will boost the strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and the RoK.

The official also voiced his hope that the number of Korean tourists to Vietnam will increase in 2018.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Nguyen Vu Tu highlighted the fruitful political ties and cultural similarities shared by the two countries, which, he said, have helped promote business, cultural and tourism links.

At the opening ceremony, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism introduced famous landscapes in Vietnam and major tourism events to be held in the country next year.

On the occasion, Thien handed over the decision to appoint Ly Xuong Can, a descendant of King Ly Thai To – the first king of the Ly dynasty (1010-1225), as Vietnam’s tourism ambassador to the RoK for 2017-2020.

A banquet was held following the opening ceremony to mark the 25th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (December 22).

[Vietnam-RoK ties flourishing at 25]

On December 13, Thien met with RoK Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jong-hwan in Seoul.

The two sides agreed to intensify cultural, sport and tourism cooperation in order to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between their people.

The Korean side pledged to share its experience with Vietnam in areas of its strength like archery, shooting, taekwondo and e-sports.

They agreed to ask their airlines to open more routes from the RoK to tourist destinations in Vietnam and increase the frequency of flights, while organising tourism promotion programmes.

Vietnam urged the RoK to hold more training courses on the Korean tourism market and Korean language for Vietnamese tour guides. -VNA

VNA