On 2 Dec 2011 in Grand Plaza Hotel, Ha Noi, for the first time, Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) in coordination with Vietnam Airlines (VNA) organized "Thank you Ceremony" in appreciation of international travel agencies for sending tourists to Viet Nam.

In holding this international ceremony, VNAT desires to express its high appreciation for international travel agencies which have been sending substantial volumes of foreign travelers to Viet Nam and have made a significant contribution to the development of Viet Nam tourism over the past years.

The participants in the ceremony included Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) Hoang Tuan Anh, Director General of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) Nguyen Van Tuan, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Airlines Trinh Hong Quang, representatives of relevant departments, top tour-operators, hoteliers, airlines, media and 45 international travel agencies.

In recent years, the number of international arrivals significantly increased, from 250,000 arrivals in 1990 to 1 million in 1994, 2 million in 2000, 3 million in 2005, 4 million in 2007 and 5 million in 2010. Tourism development brings foreign currency income and creates jobs, stimulates the development of other economic sectors, becomes a positive factor of economic restructuring, and contributes to poverty reduction, promotion and protection of natural, cultural resources.



The 45 international travel agencies are representatives of the top markets such as China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, France, Germany, UK, Netherlands, Russia, Switzerland, Spain, USA, Australia and also have operated in Viet Nam since the early stages of tourism development.

The event is an opportunity for Viet Nam to introduce new tourism products, Viet Nam tourism development policy, and also for Vietnamese and international travel agencies to meet and exchange cooperation.

Speaking at the ceremony, Minister of MoCST Hoang Tuan Anh and General Director of VNAT Nguyen Van Tuan expected international travel agencies to continue to support Viet Nam tourism in order to complete its target of attracting 7 to 7.5 million international arrivals in 2015 and 10 to 10.5 million in 2020.

During the period of 30 Nov 2011 to 3 Dec 2011, the program of the event included a study tour to some tourist attractions in Ha Noi and Ha Long.

(Hong Thanh Titc) Ho Chi Minh City hotels