ACMECS Ministers discuss responsible tourism in HCM City
Responsible tourism was the focus of an ACMECS (Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy) forum took place in Ho Chi Minh City on September 8.
Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) –Respoౠnsible tourism was the focus of an ACMECS (Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy) forum took place in Ho Chi Minh City on September 8 in the framework of the 2016 Internati🎃onal Travel Expo HCM City.
Tourism ministers from ACMECS member nations – Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam - were joined by representatives from the tourism industry, international and social organisations and experts in charting out directions to develop environmentally-friendly tourism.
Addressing the forum, Vietnam’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien highlighted the growth of the tourism industry in ACMECS countries, with 52 million foreign visitors and 8.8 million intra-bloc travelers in 2015, increases of 7 and 8 percent, respectively.
He stressed that ACMECS countries have realised that sustainable tourism is the inevitable trend which will lay a firm foundation for achieving the goal of “Five countries-One destination.”
The question now is to develop suitable mechanisms and policies in this direction, the minister said.
Walter Jamieson, a senior expert at the World Tourism Organisation and the International Centre for Responsible Tourism-ASEAN, noted that without strict and suitable management, tourism activities will put negative impacts on the natural environment.
He said responsible tourism should be based on community’s interests and brings benefit to all involved persons.
The expert suggested that besides statistics on the number of visitors, data should be compiled on poor households benefiting from tourism and the protection of local forests, as well as the treatment of waste and the use of science-technology to serve tourism, which all contribute to responsible tourism.
The forum adopted an ACMECS Ministers’ statement on responsible tourism, which reiterates the ACMECS tourism industry’s commitment to responsible, sustainable, inclusive and balance tourism development.
The countries will intensify the sharing of information and experience in the field, and promote private-public cooperation with the participation of international and non-governmental organisations, the statement said.-VNA
Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand have agreed to work together for a double-digit increase in the number of foreign tourists by 2015 under the theme “Five Countries – One Destination”.
Senior officials from Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar gathered for a Ministerial Retreat Meeting on the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Tourism Cooperation in Ho Chi Minh City on September 10.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Myanmar President Thein Sein declared their determination to achieve 500 million USD in trade this year during their meeting in Nay Pyi Taw, the capital of Myanmar, on June 22.
Vietnam signed bilateral agreements on tourism cooperation with Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar on September 9 as part of the 2015 Ho Chi Minh City international tourism fair.
Numerous activities will be organised during the 12th International Travel Expo (ITE), set to take place at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in Ho Chi Minh City from September 8-10.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
Illustrative image (Source: Internet)
