Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam is committed to deepening cooperation with the World Tourism Organization (UN Tourism), with emphasis on maximising available resources for the most effective outcomes, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung has said.
On the sidelines of the UNESCO’s World Conference on Cultural Policies and Sustainable Development in Spain, Hung held a working session with UN Tourism.
Beka Jakeli, Chief of External Relations at UN Tourism, underlined that the Secretary-General and senior leaders of UN Tourism praised Vietnam’s role and contributions.
In December 2024, the country successfully hosted two major UN Tourism events – the 2nd Annual Meeting of the Best Tourism Villages Network and the 1st International Conference on Rural Tourism. These gatherings shaped global orientations for rural tourism, supported community-based tourism, strengthened links between tourism and agriculture, and contributed to rural transformation while creating sustainable livelihoods, especially for women, in line with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Hung expressed appreciation for UN Tourism’s close coordination in organising the International Conference on Rural Tourism. He reiterated Vietnam’s view that “strong villages and communes make a strong, prosperous, and resilient nation,”. He also noted the country’s ambition to build rural tourism brands, including Best Tourism Villages recognised by UN Tourism, in line with global trends in green and responsible tourism.
At MONDIACULT, Vietnam also introduced its model of integrating tourism and culture in Ninh Binh’s Trang An landscape complex, which was praised internationally, with several countries expressing interest in replicating the approach.
The minister emphasised that Vietnam has successfully navigated unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and has demonstrated a strong recovery. The goal is to welcome 22 to 23 million international visitors by 2025. Tourism has become a key contributor to the national economy and is considered a leading sector for growth.
For the future, Vietnam and UN Tourism agreed to expand cooperation in medical and wellness tourism, tourism planning following Vietnam’s recent administrative boundary adjustments, digital promotion and technological innovation, as well as support for revising the Tourism Law./.
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