Chongqing - On November 8, the Vietnam Culture and Tourism Promotion Conference, hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MOCST) of Vietnam, was held in Chongqing's Nan'an district. 

This event marks the beginning of a series of cultural and tourism exchanges in celebration of the 75th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic relations and the China-Vietnam Year of People-to-People Exchanges, both set to take place next year.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chongqing Deputy Mayor Ma Zhen attended and delivered speeches. Also present were the Vietnamese Ambassador to China, Pham Sao Mai, the Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam, He Wei, leaders from different provinces and cities in Vietnam, relevant officials and department heads from Chongqing, as well as business representatives from both countries

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chin delivered the speech. (Photo/Deng Yan)

The Prime Minister said in his speech, "I am very pleased to visit Chongqing. This beautiful city has a unique culture and cuisine, warm-hearted people, and a youthful, vibrant energy. Its all-around development makes it an ideal location for hosting this Vietnam Culture and Tourism Promotion event. Our cooperation in culture and tourism is highly significant. It deepens and strengthens our comprehensive strategic partnership and contributes to building a China-Vietnam community of shared destiny with profound strategic value."

Deputy Mayor Ma welcomed the Vietnamese tourism industry representatives to Chongqing and expressed eagerness to advance Lancang-Mekong tourism cooperation. He emphasized the historical ties, robust economic exchange, and frequent cultural interactions between Vietnam and Chongqing, highlighting Chongqing's heritage and Vietnam's unique tourism assets. He looked forward to enhancing cross-border tourism, fostering a long-term cooperation mechanism focused on resource sharing, complementary strengths, and market integration.

The promotion conference featured distinctive performances, including a rendition of the "Journey to the West" theme by Vietnam's "New Vitality" ensemble, which captivated the audience and received enthusiastic applause. The event also included presentations on Vietnamese tourism, promotions for Vietnam-China flight routes, exclusive travel products for Chinese tourists, and interactive sessions with prize draws.

The promotion conference featured distinctive performances, including a rendition of the "Journey to the West" theme by Vietnam's "New Vitality" ensemble, which captivated the audience and received enthusiastic applause. (Photo/Deng Yan)

A cooperation agreement ceremony was held, where the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism exchanged letters of intent to collaborate on tourism. Additionally, 14 tourism companies from both countries signed agreements to enhance inbound and outbound tourism partnerships.

From November 6 to 7, tourism officials from both sides participated in a seminar focused on strengthening cooperation and launching a series of joint promotional activities. The Vietnamese delegation also organized cultural "flash mobs" at iconic Chongqing landmarks, including the Liziba monorail station, drawing the attention of many visitors.

The photo exhibition at the Vietnam Culture and Tourism Promotion Conference. (Photo/Deng Yan)

In mid-November, a Chongqing cultural and tourism delegation will host a "Hello, Chongqing" tourism promotion event in Vietnam. Additionally, the Vietnamese delegation has been invited to participate in the 2024 Lancang-Mekong Tourism Cities Cooperation Forum and the 2024 Chongqing International Travel Agents Conference later this month in Chongqing. These events will further strengthen tourism exchanges and deepen people-to-people ties between the two regions, fostering long-term collaboration and mutual understanding.