Vietnam and Switzerland strengthen cultural exchange and sustainable tourism

Update: 20/10/2021
(TITC) - On October 14, Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism had meeting with Mr. Pilar Ivo Sieber - Spanish Ambassador. Mr. Ha Van Sieu, Vice Chairman of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and leader of International Cooperation Department also attended the meeting.

Mr. Nguyen Van Hung - Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism had meeting with Mr. Pilar Ivo Sieber - Spanish Ambassador. Photo TITC

The year 2021 marks 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations and 30 years of development cooperation between Vietnam and Switzerland. The long-term relationship strengthens the people-people connection of two countries.

Minister suggested organizing the Culture Day on odd anniversaries, Culture Week on even anniversaries and Culture Year on round years. These will be chances to introduce the cultural quintessence, connect people – people, and understand the strength of culture on sustainable development.

Regarding the tourism sector, the Minister thanked Switzerland for "Swiss Sustainable Tourism Program - SSTP" (period 2018-2022) with a total budget of 4.7 million USD. SSTP aims to improve the competitiveness of the tourism sector through promoting sustainable tourism practices and delivering a quality executive hospitality education program.

In order to realize cooperation relationship and spread the cultural values of two countries to community, the Minister called Switzerland’s support on construction of three Vietnam-Switzerland cultural tourist attractions, which will become the "red address" of the Swiss people when coming to Vietnam, to experience the life of local people and learn about the long-standing traditional relationship between two countries.

At the meeting, Ambassador Ivo Sieber thanked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for supporting Switzerland to organize an art program to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations. The program "Vietnam Day in Switzerland" was held online on October 9 with many sharings from speakers who are diplomats, business men, artists, and representatives of the two countries. Music show, film footage on natural beauty, culture and people of the two countries also presented at the program.

The Ambassador supported continues implementation of SSTP to develop sustainable tourism, improve tourism human resources and create jobs for Vietnam tourism.

Tourism Information Technology Center

Source: vietnamtourism.gov.vn