VN, Laos seek tighten tourism cooperation

Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh has invited Laos to participate in celebrations for the 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi and the making of policies to attract tourists.
Minister Hoang Tuan Anh made the proposals during his working session with the Lao National Tourism Administration’s Vice Chairman Succaseng Phothisan in the capital city of Vientiane on March 14.
The officials informed each other of tourism development in their respective countries. Despite the global economic crisis, the two nations only suffered a slight drop in the numbers of holidaymakers thanks to the stimulus policies, tourism incentives and concerted efforts from both sides, they said.
Phothisan thanked Vietnam for its effective assistance to the Lao tourism sector and asked Vietnam to continue with the transport of passengers from neighbouring countries to Laos, mainly by air.
He also urged Vietnam to open more tours to provinces along the shared border, develop tourism in the former revolutionary base of Xiengkhoang and send experts to assist Laos in preparing for the National Year of Tourism in 2012.