Vietnam and Korea bolster tourism and cultural ties

HANOI, VIETNAM – During a pivotal meeting about the Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) Hanoi 2024, Mr. Ha Van Sieu, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), and Mr. Kim Yeong Cheol, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Gumi City, Korea, discussed enhancing tourism cooperation and cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Korea.

The discussion emphasized the proactive participation of Gumi City in VITM Hanoi 2024, marking its debut at this significant event. The collaboration aims to promote tourism and deepen the cultural connection between the two nations, which are among each other’s top visitor sources.

Growing Tourism and Cultural Exchanges

In 2023, Vietnam welcomed approximately 12.6 million international visitors, with Koreans accounting for 3.6 million. The first three months of 2024 alone saw 1.2 million Korean visitors to Vietnam. VNAT’s Vice Chairman Ha Van Sieu expressed optimism that the number of tourists from both countries will surpass pre-pandemic levels, anticipating nearly 5 million Korean and over 1 million Vietnamese visitors in 2024.

Mr. Kim Yeong Cheol – Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Gumi City, Korea. Photo: TITC

Gumi City: A Blend of Industry and Culture

Mr. Kim Yeong Cheol highlighted Gumi City’s unique attributes, from its industrial prowess as home to major manufacturing plants like Samsung and LG Electronics to its cultural and natural attractions. The city is also celebrated for its annual Ramen Noodle Festival, which it plans to expand internationally.

Plans for Cultural Promotion and Tourism Enhancement

The leaders discussed potential initiatives including the hosting of the Vietnam Cultural Tourism Festival in Seoul and Gumi City in 2024 to foster further cultural exchanges. VNAT has committed to supporting Gumi City in developing tourism promotion programs tailored for diverse groups of tourists from both countries.

Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.