Enhancing the capacity for community-based tourism development.

(Baonghean.vn) - As part of their working visit to Nghe An province, on the morning of April 24, 2014, the delegation of the European Union (EU) Political Counselor and representatives from the Embassies of member states, led by Ms. Delphine Malard – First Counselor of the EU Delegation, worked with the Provincial Ethnic Affairs Committee, the Provincial Religious Affairs Committee, and the Nghe An No. 1 Economic and Technical Vocational College.

Receiving and working with the delegation were leaders from the Ethnic Affairs Committee, the Religious Affairs Committee, and leaders from relevant departments and agencies.

The EU political attachés laid wreaths and offered incense in commemoration of President Ho Chi Minh at the historical site.

Kim Lien

EU political attaché delegation working at the Provincial Ethnic Affairs Committee

Through national government programs and objectives, from 2011 to 2013, ethnic minority and mountainous regions received an investment of 1,336 billion VND (of which the EU contributed 38.5 billion VND). Thanks to the benefits from these projects and support programs, the lives of the ethnic minorities have gradually improved. However, as a province with a large ethnic minority and mountainous region, where ethnic minorities live scattered across the mountainous areas and face harsh natural conditions, their lives still present many difficulties.

Comrade Luong Quang Kinh – Head of the Ethnic Affairs Committee – expressed gratitude for the EU's support over the past period. He hoped that in the future, the ethnic minority communities of the province would continue to receive attention and support from EU countries, especially in projects aimed at poverty reduction, infrastructure development in mountainous and remote areas, cultural preservation and development, and promoting community tourism.

EU political attaché delegation working at the Provincial Religious Affairs Department

Following that, the delegation held a working session with the Provincial Religious Affairs Committee regarding the implementation of policies on religion and religious beliefs.

Later that afternoon, the delegation visited and worked at the No. 1 Economic and Technical Vocational College in Nghe An.In 2013, the school's Tourism Faculty received funding from the European Union's "Program for the Development of Environmentally and Socially Responsible Tourism Capacity" project management board for three model practice rooms: a practice room for reception and tour guide services; and a practice room for housekeeping and restaurant services. This helped the school train tourism human resources to meet the needs of tourism development.

Speaking at the meeting, Ms. Delphine Malard highly appreciated the school's educational and training achievements, the effective implementation of EU-funded projects, and affirmed that she would continue to support Nghe An in developing its tourism potential and promoting community-based tourism development.

Visiting a model training room for restaurant service skills, funded by the EU.

Representatives of the delegation presented gifts to the school's teachers.

Virtue