At the talks (Photo: VNA)Seoul (VNA) – Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen NgocThien on June 27 expressed his hope that the Republic of Korea (RoK) willadvance from the second biggest source of tourists to Vietnam to the largestone in the future.
Duringthe talks with his RoK counterpart Park Yang-woo in Seoul on June 27, Thiensaid tourism is one of the key cooperation areas between Vietnam and the EastAsian country.
Healso highlighted cultural exchanges between the two countries, saying Vietnamhas organised many major festival in the RoK while RoK businesses like CJ Grouphave invested in the cultural sector in Vietnam.
Thientook the occasion to thank the RoK side for its support in training Vietnameseathletes in the country, including the men’s football squad and shootingathletes.
Forhis part, Park told his guest that 28 million Koreans travelled abroad lastyear, of whom more than 4 million came to Vietnam.
Upto 4.5 million RoK holiday-makers are expected to visit Vietnam this year, hesaid, noting his hope that the number of Vietnamese tourists to the RoK willincrease sharply in the time ahead.
Mentioningthe recent tourist boat accident involving RoK passengers in Hungary, theminister suggested the Vietnamese Government pay more attention to ensuring safetyfor RoK tourists in the country.
Healso informed that the RoK designated September 2-8 as the welcome week forVietnamese holiday-makers.
TheRoK is willing to share its experience in cultural and sport development withVietnam, he said, adding that apart from football and shooting, the RoK hasstrength in archery and taekwondo and stands ready to invite Vietnameseathletes to the country for training.
Theminister said the RoK is launching a programme which offers chances forVietnamese young people to visit the RoK and explore local culture, and hopedthat the programme will continue to be rolled out in the future.
Hecalled on the Vietnamese Government to support RoK enterprises operating in theculture sphere in Vietnam, and license Korean language teaching centres in HoChi Minh City.
Whilein the RoK, Thien and his entourage visited the Vietnamese Embassy in the RoKon June 26.
Heis scheduled to visit Vietnam’s tourism promotion office in the country on June28.-VNA
VNA
