Enhancing cultural and tourism cooperation, creating new momentum for Vietnam - Korea relations

The event was organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the two countries in coordination with the Vietnamese Embassy in Korea and relevant agencies.

This is the first time a Vietnam-Korea Cultural Cooperation and Tourism Promotion Forum has been organized on a large scale, with the presence of a large number of representatives from agencies, organizations and businesses of the two countries, clearly demonstrating the interest and desire to promote tourism and cultural cooperation between Vietnam and Korea - a highlight in the relationship between the two countries in recent times.

At the forum, Mr. Ly Xuong Can, Vietnam Tourism Ambassador in Korea, 31st generation descendant of King Ly Thai To, presented on opportunities and challenges in implementing high-level tourism cooperation, medical tourism between the two countries and research projects, information connection, infrastructure cooperation to promote tax refund policies for foreign tourists; leaders of Bonghwa district, North Kyungsang province introduced the "Vietnam Village" project here, becoming an important cultural exchange highlight between the two countries; representatives of Dal LaLa Network Company presented on the project to search and train global Vietnamese music stars; CJ Group presented on activities to support Vietnamese cinema...

At the forum, the Prime Minister and delegates also witnessed Vietjet Air celebrate 10 years of opening flights to the "Land of Kimchi" and announce a new route Daegu - Nha Trang; and witnessed 8 cooperation documents between Vietnamese and Korean partners.

These documents include a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in promoting Vietnam-Korea tourism for the 2025-2026 period between the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and the Korea National Administration of Tourism; 4 memorandums of understanding on cooperation between Vietnam Airlines and 4 Korean partners (Hana Tour, Interpark Triple, Mode Tour, Yellow Balloon Tour); a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in promoting high-end tourism services and medical tourism between Vietnam and Korea; a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in research projects, information connection and infrastructure cooperation to promote tax refund policies for foreign tourists, etc.

Taking Vietnam and Korea tourism to a new level

Speaking at the Forum, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly appreciated the organization of this meaningful forum with enthusiastic comments and proposals for dedicated and feasible projects.

The Prime Minister said that in the current global context, sustainable, inclusive development and green growth are more urgent than ever for all countries. In particular, culture has emerged as a driving force for sustainable development, thereby helping global tourism grow again at a faster rate than expected.

According to a report by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), in 2023 tourism will contribute 15,500 billion USD, equivalent to 11.6% of global GDP with 430 million jobs. The Prime Minister emphasized that the key to the future of tourism will be regenerative tourism, developing more sustainable tourism associated with preserving and promoting the values ​​of cultural heritage, traditions and the environment.

According to the Prime Minister, as two Asian countries with many similarities in culture and history, over the past 30 years, Vietnam-Korea relations have made remarkable progress, becoming a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022 and are in the best and most favorable development stage ever.

South Korea is currently Vietnam's largest partner in terms of FDI investment (reaching 87 billion USD), second in terms of development cooperation and third in terms of trade (reaching 76 billion USD in 2023).

In particular, cooperation in tourism and culture is a bright spot. Korea has emerged as the number 1 market sending visitors to Vietnam. In 2023, the number of tourists between the two countries reached more than 4 million; in the first 5 months of 2024, it reached nearly 2.2 million, an increase of 9% over the same period in 2019 before the pandemic, showing a complete recovery and increased tourism exchanges between the two countries.

The Prime Minister also spent time analyzing the potential and prospects for tourism development and cultural cooperation between Vietnam and Korea. Accordingly, political trust and a good foundation for cultural cooperation with unique and typical values ​​from both sides create momentum for strong development of tourism, cultural cooperation and people-to-people exchange. There are currently 280,000 Vietnamese people in Korea, about 200,000 Koreans in Vietnam, and 80,000 Vietnamese-Korean multicultural families.

Vietnam and Korea are beautiful countries with four seasons, rich in cultural traditions, history, majestic nature, gentle and hospitable people, rich and unique tourism products that complement and support each other, and are both attractive tourist destinations.

The Prime Minister said that Vietnam has 8 world heritages recognized by UNESCO, including: 5 cultural heritages (Hue Imperial Citadel, Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son Sanctuary, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, Ho Dynasty Citadel), 2 natural heritages (Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Ha Long Bay - Cat Ba) and 1 mixed world heritage (Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex). Beautiful beaches, majestic, mysterious and attractive landscapes such as the Mekong Delta create the "Endless Beauty" of Vietnam, attracting international tourists to explore and experience.

Meanwhile, Korea owns 16 world heritages, including 14 cultural heritages and 2 natural heritages (Jeju Volcanic Island and Getbol Tidal Sandbar), many tourist areas with beautiful scenery and culture blending tradition and modernity (Seoul, Nami Island, Jeju Island...).

The strong development of economic - trade - investment relations creates space and promotes tourism and cultural cooperation between the two countries. In particular, the two sides continue to open new flight routes, introduce new, attractive and unique products; organize many cultural festivals, art programs and tourism promotion campaigns...

Regarding Vietnam's tourism development orientation, the Prime Minister said that with the motto "Unique products - Professional services - Convenient and simple procedures - Competitive prices - Clean and beautiful environment - Safe, civilized and friendly destinations", Vietnam has set out 7 main groups of tasks and solutions to develop tourism effectively and sustainably; determined to develop tourism into a truly spearhead economic sector, among the top 30 countries with the world's leading tourism competitiveness.

Vietnam focuses on developing comprehensive, fast and sustainable tourism with the motto "Close connection - Harmonious coordination - Extensive cooperation - Comprehensive coverage - Sustainable efficiency"; with a comprehensive, all-people, global approach; developing a sustainable tourism ecosystem, forming value chains, linking national and global tourism.

From August 15, 2023, Vietnam has extended the stay period for Korean tourists from 15 days to 45 days; for visitors entering with e-visa, the stay period is extended to 90 days.

The Prime Minister hopes that the two sides will jointly come up with specific and practical cooperation programs and projects, bringing Vietnam and South Korea tourism to a new level, striving to soon reach 5.5 million tourist arrivals, commensurate with the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Establishment of Vietnamese Cultural Center in Korea

In the cultural field, the Prime Minister acknowledged that the Vietnam-Korea cultural cooperation relationship has been continuously nurtured and strongly developed in recent times, creating a solid and profound foundation for the comprehensive strategic partnership. Culture and tourism always go hand in hand, complement each other, and develop together.

The Prime Minister highly appreciated the efforts and cooperation results between the two countries' Ministries of Culture, Sports and Tourism in implementing signed documents on cultural cooperation in general and cooperation in developing cultural industries in particular.

According to the Prime Minister, in the past 30 years, Korea has made great strides in the field of cultural industry. The "Korean Wave" - ​​"Korean Current" not only brings great economic values ​​but also contributes to effectively promoting the national brand in the international market through cinema, music, fashion, etc.

"Perhaps there is not a day that goes by without Korean films on Vietnam's national and local television channels," the Prime Minister said, adding that Korea's experience and success will be valuable lessons for Vietnam's cultural industry, which is just beginning to develop and has achieved some encouraging results.

The Prime Minister said that for Vietnam, beloved President Ho Chi Minh, the national hero - world cultural celebrity, advised: "Culture lights the way for the nation to go." General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said: "Culture speaks of the identity of a nation. If culture exists, the nation exists. If culture is lost, the nation is lost."

Vietnam has more than 4,000 years of history, many values, and its own cultural identity; at the same time, it absorbs and actively contributes to the common culture of humanity.

Vietnam is focusing on building an advanced culture, imbued with national identity, which is an important endogenous strength, ensuring sustainable development, ensuring progress, social justice, social security, "leaving no one behind". Culture is the spiritual foundation, an endogenous resource, a breakthrough driving force for development. Culture has a profound national identity. Culture must be enjoyed, motivated, and inspired by all people.

Regarding the development orientation of Vietnam's cultural industry, the Prime Minister said that in order to create "Creative - Identity - Unique - Professional - Healthy - Competitive - Sustainable" cultural industry products and services on the basis of "National - Scientific - Mass", Vietnam has determined the motto "Sharp thinking, sharp action, choosing the best for breakthrough development", gradually building national product and service brands, participating in the global value chain.

Vietnam is building a Strategy for the Development of Vietnam's Cultural Industries to 2030, with a vision to 2045, with the spirit of promoting the internationalization of national cultural values ​​and identities to the world and nationalizing the quintessence of world culture into Vietnam.

Vietnam wishes to accompany and receive support and cooperation from Korea in the process of building and implementing strategies and policies to strongly and effectively promote the development of cultural industries in the coming time.

The Prime Minister proposed that the Korean side support Vietnam in developing tourism and cultural industry, especially in perfecting institutions, mechanisms, policies, building infrastructure, training human resources, improving management capacity, and mobilizing resources and financial resources.

Referring to the saying "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together", the Prime Minister highly appreciated and was pleased to see that along with tourism cooperation, cultural cooperation between Vietnam and Korea has been constantly nurtured and developed strongly. The forum is a valuable and useful opportunity for both sides to share and exchange, opening a new, more successful and prosperous period for tourism development and cultural cooperation between Vietnam and Korea.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister acknowledged and thanked Mr. Ly Xuong Can for his valuable contributions in his capacity as Vietnam Tourism Ambassador to Korea and hoped that he and his colleagues would continue to contribute more to the tourism development cooperation between the two countries; at the same time, he respectfully acknowledged the contributions of Korean corporations that have actively invested in the cultural and tourism sectors of Vietnam.

The Prime Minister asked South Korea to support and facilitate the establishment of a Vietnamese Cultural Center in South Korea; and asked South Korean businesses to continue promoting investment in the fields of tourism, cultural industry, and entertainment in Vietnam.

The Prime Minister hopes and believes that the national tourism agency, local authorities, airlines, travel and tourism companies, accommodation establishments, hotels, and Vietnamese and Korean enterprises will jointly come up with specific and practical cooperation programs and projects to bring Vietnam-Korea cultural and tourism cooperation to a new level, creating value worthy of the comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Prime Minister assigned the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam to continue to chair exchanges and discussions and seriously absorb the proposals and comments at this forum to complete and soon submit to the Prime Minister for promulgation the Strategy for the Development of Vietnam's Cultural Industries to 2030, with a vision to 2045, and at the same time promote the implementation of the Strategy for the Development of Vietnam's Tourism to 2030, so that cultural and tourism cooperation between the two countries can truly create a new impetus for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, for the common interests of the two peoples, for peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the world.