Overview of the meeting (Photo: TITC)

Mr. Miesch Philippe, Chairman of the Council of Masters Vovinam French Federation said, he has been to Vietnam a few times and fallen in love with Vietnam and the culture of this beautiful country. Post the pandemic, there are many French people who wish to travel to Vietnam, especially international athletes who also want to bring their families to Vietnam to travel during their competition. Mr. Miesch Philippe hopes that in the upcoming time, there are more direct flights connecting France and famous destinations of Vietnam.

Mr. Miesch Philippe, Chairman of the Council of Masters Vovinam French Federation speaking at the meeting (Photo: TITC)

Ms. Geurrib Mai, President of the Vovinam French Federation expressed her excitement while sharing about her trip to the Quang Trung Museum (Binh Dinh Province) earlier. Ms. Geurrib Mai hopes that attractions in Vietnam will offer discounts on ticket prices for large tour groups of 200 or above, and provide foreign language voice-over tools for international visitors, so that visitors can learn more about Vietnamese heroic history. In the near future, WVVF will organise a trip to Vietnam for athletes combining competition and exchange. Sports should be associated with learning about the country's culture, stated Ms. Geurrib Mai.

Ms. Geurrib Mai, President of the Vovinam French Federation speaking at the meeting (Photo: TITC)

Sharing about the current situation of Vietnam tourism, VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh said, Vietnam is currently one of the tourist destinations attracting domestic and international tourists. Vietnam has officially restored tourism activities since 15th March 2022, becoming one of the earliest countries to open the door to international tourists in the region and the world, with an open entry and exit policy. The potential for tourism development in Vietnam is huge. This has been proved since the WTA honoured Vietnam tourism with a bag of prestigious awards such as “Asia’s Leading Destination”, “Asia’s Leading Sustainable Destination”, “World’s Best Golf Destination”, etc. Vietnam tourism is also noted for its strong resilience.

VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh speaking at the meeting (Photo: TITC)

VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh stated, post the pandemic, website vietnam.travel of VNAT has put efforts to promote the image and brand of Vietnam tourism, providing relevant information to target markets, and attracting international visitors with the message Live fully in Vietnam. Remarkably, golf tourism is considered as one of the potential types of tourism in Vietnam besides sea and islands tourism,  cultural heritage tourism, eco-nature tourism, wellness tourism, cuisine tourism,... The tourism industry has also been focusing on promoting digital transformation and applying information technology to improve the effectiveness of tourism promotion activities in Vietnam.

VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh gifting souvenir to Mr. Miesch Philippe, Chairman of the Council of Masters Vovinam French Federation (Photo: TITC)

Regarding tourism performance, in 2023, Vietnam's tourism industry is accelerating to regain its growth momentum and aims to welcome 8 million international visitor arrivals. In the first 7 months of 2023, the number of international visitors reached 6.6 million arrivals, 13 times higher than the same period in 2022, reaching 83% of the plan in 2023. In July alone, Vietnam welcomed over 1 million international visitor arrivals. Besides, the search volume for Vietnam tourism has increased continuously in the top of the world.

VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh gifting souvenir to Ms. Geurrib Mai, President of the Vovinam French Federation (Photo: TITC)

The leader of VNAT was glad to inform that the National Assembly of Vietnam has approved to extend the duration of an electronic visa (e-visa) from 30 days to 90 days, valid for multiple entry; increase the temporary stay duration for people entering under the visa exemption unilaterally from 15 days to 45 days. These policies will officially take effect from 15th August 2023. Along with favourable visa policies, tourism businesses are also creating new tourism products to meet the demands of international visitors. Vietnam also strengthens air connections, as well as river, sea and land routes. VNAT has planned to organise programmes to promote Vietnam tourism at international events and fairs.

Delegates taking souvenir photo (Photo: TITC)

Regarding air connections, VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh said, VNAT will organise meetings with Vietnamese airlines on operating direct flights connecting France and major cities of Vietnam, as well as planning on restoring flight routes to Russia in the near future.

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