Vietnam to hold tourism festivals in Japan, Korea

Vietnamese tourism authorities will organize two festivals in Japan and the Republic of Korea next month to promote the country’s cultural and tourism attractions in the two major markets.
The festival in Tokyo, Japan, would be held from June 22 to 24 and in Seoul, South Korea, from June 25 to 27, Nguyen Van Tinh, head of the International Cooperation Department, the organizer of the events, said.
Vietnam Airlines, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, and officials from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, the central city of Danang, and the central provinces of Quang Nam and Thua Thien-Hue will attend the festivals, according to Thoi Bao Kinh Te Sai Gon Online (Saigon Economic Times Online) newspaper.
“Some 30 Vietnamese businesses have signed up to take part,” Tinh said.
“A 20-member art troupe is preparing for the events. We will introduce Vietnamese culture and tourism as well as investment opportunities in the two markets.”
The focus would be on promoting coastal tourism, the 1,000th anniversary of Hanoi, and some attractions in HCMC and the Mekong Delta, he said.
Japan and the Republic of Korea are among the countries that send the highest numbers of tourists to Vietnam, Tinh said to explain the rationale for the festivals.
In the first four months this year 176,199 Koreans came to the country, 31.4 percent up year on year, making the country the second biggest source market for the tourism sector after China, according to VNAT.
Japan was in fourth spot with 146,818 arrivals, up 14.2 percent.
Hanoi, HCMC, Danang, Quang Nam, home to ancient Hoi An, and Thua Thien-Hue are among the popular destinations for tourists from the two countries.