Tourism-culture cooperation a bright spot of Vietnam-South Korea relations: PM

He said following the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022, the Vietnam-South Korea relationship is at its best ever, noting their political trust and good cooperation foundation in culture have given momentum to tourism collaboration and people-to-people exchange.

Both Vietnam and South Korea are home to world heritage, with the former, eight, and the latter, 16, he continued, stressing the growing economic-trade-investment ties have also played a role in boosting the tourism and culture links.

The PM, who is paying an official visit to South Korea between June 30 and July 3, said the two sides have opened new air routes, offered new tourism products, and organized many cultural festivals, art programmes and tourism promotion campaigns.

Chinh briefed the participants on Vietnam’s major tasks and solutions to ensure the effective, sustainable development of its tourism industry, and turn it into an economic spreadhead sector, making Vietnam enter the list of 30 countries with best tourism competitiveness.

The leader stressed that from Aug. 15, 2023, Vietnam has extended the stay duration for Korean tourists to 45 days from 15 days, and e-visa is valid for up to 90 days.

Chinh expressed his hope that the two countries will work on specific, practical cooperation programmes to advance the tourism ties to a new level, matching the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership.

PM Chinh witnessed the exchange of 10 memoranda of understanding on culture, trade and tourism cooperation between agencies and businesses of the two countries, including one between the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization, and four between the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and its partners.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also handed over a decision on the re-appointment of Lee Chang-kun, a descendant of the Vietnamese Ly royal family, as Vietnam’s tourism ambassador to South Korea.

After the Covid pandemic, South Korea has emerged as the biggest source of tourists to Vietnam. In the first five months of this year, Vietnam welcomed nearly 2.2 million Korean visitors.

For every 10 international tourists in the Southeast Asian nation, there are three Koreans.