Vietnam, China discuss tourism co-operation

      Vietnam’s localities and Yunnan province discussed ways to boost tourism in talks held in Vietnam’s northern Lao Cai province on March 10.
Officials from Hanoi, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh and Lao Cai, proposed co-operation initiatives regarding the develop ment of tourism-related mechanisms and policies, tourist products, promotion activities and the training of human resources for the sector.
Vietnam’s officials also suggested that relevant agencies of the two countries consider issue entry visas for tourists from other countries at border gates.
To spur tourism in the long term, Vietnam proposed the development of a ‘golden tour’ service on the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong-Quang Ninh route for Chinese visitors, and a tour of Yunnan for Vietnamese tourists, as well as exploring more diverse options for both countries’ tourists.
Additionally, the Vietnamese side also proposed that its Chinese counterpart establish a tour from Yunnan to localities lying along Vietnam’s economic corridor and to Laos, and work together in formulating the programme 'two nations, five destination' that will highlight Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay, and Cat Ba of Vietnam, and China’s Kunming.
The Chinese side pledged to co-ordinate with Vietnamese officials and agencies to streamline customs procedures for the two countries’ tourists, to improve ease of travel. They also highlighted the need for the two sides to develop a framework for joint tours in the sub-Mekong region.
Yunnan officials offered both financial assistance and experts to train personnel for Vietnam’s tourist sector, and are eager to share experiences with Vietnamese counterparts.
Yunnan province is preparing to introduce direct flights to Ho Chi Minh City, and a route on the Red River from Kunming to Hai Phong in a bid to increase the number of Chinese travellers to Vietnam and attract more Vietnamese tourists to China.