VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh speaking at the event (Photo: Organising Board)

Vietnamese delegation led by Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, VNAT’s Chairman, along with representatives of a number of units under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, artists of the Vietnam National Theater, Dance and Music Group; and representatives of tourism, hotel and airline businesses.

Attending the event were Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to France Dinh Toan Thang, Chairman of the Association for the Promotion of Vietnam Tourism and Culture in Europe Ms. Le Y Linh, along with distinguished guests, tourism, travel and aviation businesses, and international press.

Sending his warm welcome to the Vietnam Roadshow in France, VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh said, the official diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France was established on 12th April 1973, marking a new chapter reflecting the will and desire to build a long-term and comprehensive friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

Overview of the event (Photo: Organising Board)

According to VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh, France is a traditional and leading important source market for Vietnamese tourism in Europe. In 2023, Viet Nam's tourism received nearly 216 thousand French visitor arrivals, achieving a recovery rate of 75% compared to the pre-Covid 19 period (290 thousand visitors), ranking second among the largest tourist source markets of Vietnam from the European Union.

In recent times, the tourism sectors of the two countries have engaged in many cooperative activities to facilitate tourist exchange, such as signing the Tourism Cooperation Agreement. Airlines like Vietnam Airlines and Air France have launched direct flights connecting major cities and tourism centres of the two countries. Vietnam's tourism sector actively organises tourism promotion activities in France, such as organising  famtrip groups,  roadshows, participating in the International & French Travel Market - Top Resa, and other activities to boost tourist exchanges between the two nations. Vietnam Government has exempted visas for French citizens travelling to Vietnam since 2015 and extended the stay duration for French visitors to 45 days from 15th August 2023.

VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh indicated, the Vietnam Tourism Roadshow organised in France is a good opportunity for Vietnamese and French tourism companies to share update information and move towards business cooperation, enhancing tourism exchange between Vietnam and France in the post-Covid 19 recovery context, preparing for a new phase of stronger development.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to France Dinh Toan Thang speaking at the event (Photo: Organising Board)

Speaking at the Roadshow, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to France Mr. Dinh Toan Thang  appreciated organising the Vietnam Roadshow in France with the presence of French and international partners, thereby promoting the beauty and diverse potential of tourism - an important area of ​​cooperation in the two countries' relationship.

At the Roadshow, Ms. Le Y Linh - Chairman of the Association for the Promotion of Vietnam Tourism and Culture in Europe introduced Vietnam tourismalong with the new visa policy applied by Vietnam from 15th August 2023, Vietnam Airlines and Air France have operated direct flights, thereby helping tourists travel more conveniently.

Vietnam's tourism products are currently diverse and rich, in addition to continuing to develop traditional products such as Beaches and Island tourism, Ecotourism, Culture and Heritage tourism, City breaks, Vietnam is focusing on promoting new products such as golf tourism, culinary tourism, wellness tourism, adventure tourism…

Vietnam tourism has also won a series of prestigious international and regional tourism awards, honouring the cultural, landscape, culinary, and golf tourism values ​​of Vietnam.

Vietnamese traditional art performances at the event (Photo: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

Vietnam Airlines representative updated information on flight routes to France and Europe. A Vietravel representative introduced tourism products suitable for the European market, providing many options for tourists coming to Vietnam. At the Roadshow, the Vietnamese delegation had a discussion panel with delegates, partners, and businesses on some information about Vietnam's tourism situation, policies to attract tourists, products and services suitable to the demands of French and European tourists…

Mr. Nicolas Ogno - Former Chief of Office of the Governor of Corsica Island, Vice President of the Corsican Club in Paris expressed the will to cooperate between the Corsica Club and Vietnam's tourism and aviation businesses to promote tourist exchange, when Vietnamese tourists travel to France, they can combine a visit to Corsica island.

VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh, delegates, distinguished guests and tourism businesses of Vietnam and France taking souvenir photo (Photo: Organising Board)

Delegates and guests enthusiastically participating in the Q&A programme and discussed Vietnam tourism (Photo: Organising Board)

Besides, delegates had the opportunity to participate in the lucky draw programme, also enjoyed a performance programme promoting Vietnam's unique traditional culture and arts by artists from the Vietnam Song, Dance and Music Theater Troupe.

Delegates and guests excitedly participating in the lucky draw programme (Photo: Organising Board)

The Organising Board awarded prizes to lucky guests in the lucky draw programme (Photo: Organising Board)

Previously, on the same day, the Vietnam - France business connection programme took place. Here, businesses from both sides connected, exchanged, updated operational information, sought opportunities and established business cooperation, attracting French tourists in particular and European tourists in general to Vietnam and vice versa.

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