In the meeting with the Vietnamese guest, Minister of Culture Alpidio Alonso Grau expressedhis joy at the success of the special cultural and artistic programme jointlystaged by the two sides at Jose Marti Theatre in Havana on April 20 tocelebrate several major anniversaries of historic milestones in Vietnam-Cubarelations.
The two ministries agreed that the two sides have coordinated toorganize successful cultural exchange programmes on the occasion of visits ofhigh-ranking leaders of the two countries.
The Cuban minister informed Minister Hung that Cuba will host a forum of culture ministers of the G-77 plus China from May 3-5, aiming to adopt a joint statement affirming the role andcontribution of culture to sustainable development. He invited the Vietnameseminister to attend the event and contribute to the compilation of the jointstatement, considering Vietnam’s achievements in conserving and promotingcultural values.
Minister Hung spoke highly of Cuba’s Presidency of the G77 andaffirmed support of Cuba’s efforts to prepare for the important forum. Heaccepted the invitation to attend the forum and planned to deliver an importantspeech in the online format.
Hung welcomed Cuba’s policy to develop cultural industries andsuggested that Cuba consider develop performance products for export. He said his ministryis willing to provide information to and connect firms that are interested in investingin this aspect.
The two ministers also discussed other cooperation possibilities, includingVietnam’s support for Cuba in researching the production of musical equipment, thetranslation of Vietnamese books and documents on arts and culture to introduceto Cuban people, sharing experience in State management of culture, and the organizationof cultural exchange programmes.
Duringthe talks on tourism, Minister Juan Carlos GarcíaGranda said Cuba defines tourism as one of the key industries and wants toexpand cooperation with Vietnam and other partners to develop tourism. Hecalled for Vietnamese investment into specific projects and programmes todevelop accommodation facilities and tourism products and services, stressingthat Cuba hopes Vietnam will become one of important source markets of tourismof Cuba.
The minister invited the Vietnamese minister to attend the InternationalTourism Fair which Cuba will host in May in the framework of the year Cubachairs the G77 group.
Minister Hung proposed that the Cuban side send the list of its106 tourism projects calling for investment to the Vietnamese Ministry ofCulture, Sports and Tourism so that the ministry can provide information toVietnamese firms.
He said the upcoming visit to Vietnam by Minister Juan Carlos García Granda will be an opportunity for the two sides to hold a tourism forum and aninvestment promotion conference, during which firms and partners of both sidescan reach and sign specific cooperation deals./.