The Vietnam-Korea Cultural Cooperation and Tourism Promotion Forum was a joint effort by the Ministries of Culture, Sports and Tourism of both countries, along with the Embassy of Vietnam in Korea and related agencies.
This was the first large-scale forum of its kind, with a significant presence from representatives of agencies, organizations, and businesses from both nations, demonstrating their keen interest and desire to enhance tourism and cultural cooperation between Vietnam and Korea – a notable highlight in the bilateral relationship in recent times.
At the forum, the Prime Minister and delegates witnessed Vietjet Airlines celebrate its 10th anniversary of flying to the “Land of Kimchi” and announce a new route between Daegu and Nha Trang. Additionally, eight cooperation documents were signed between Vietnamese and Korean partners.
These documents included a memorandum of understanding for tourism promotion between Vietnam and Korea for the 2025-2026 period, signed by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization. There were also four memorandums of understanding signed between Vietnam Airlines and four Korean partners (Hana Tour, Interpark Triple, Mode Tour, and Yellow Balloon Tour). Furthermore, a memorandum of understanding was signed to promote premium tourism and medical tourism between Vietnam and Korea, along with another for a research project, information connectivity, and cooperation on infrastructure to promote tax refund policies for foreign tourists.
Elevating Vietnam-Korea Tourism
In his speech at the forum, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highly appreciated the organization of this meaningful event, which included passionate speeches and feasible project proposals.
The Prime Minister emphasized that in the current global context, sustainable, inclusive, and green growth has become more urgent than ever for all nations. Culture has emerged as a driver of sustainable development, helping global tourism recover and grow faster than expected.
He highlighted that the key to the future of tourism lies in regenerative tourism, developing more sustainable practices that conserve and promote cultural heritage, traditions, and the environment.
Vietnam and Korea, both Asian nations with many cultural and historical similarities, have witnessed remarkable progress in their relationship over the past 30 years. In 2022, the countries became Comprehensive Strategic Partners, and the relationship is currently in its best and most favorable phase ever.
Korea is now Vietnam’s top FDI partner (with $87 billion in investment), second in development cooperation, and third in trade (with $76 billion in bilateral trade value in 2023).
Notably, tourism and cultural cooperation have been a bright spot. Korea has become the number one source market for visitors to Vietnam. In 2023, two-way tourist arrivals reached over 4 million, and in the first five months of 2024, it reached nearly 2.2 million, up 9% compared to the same period in 2019 before the pandemic, indicating a full recovery and increased bilateral tourism exchange.
The Prime Minister also took time to analyze the potential and prospects for tourism and cultural cooperation between Vietnam and Korea. Political trust and a solid foundation for cultural cooperation, with distinctive and outstanding values from both sides, have paved the way for strong tourism and cultural development, along with people-to-people exchanges. Currently, there are 280,000 Vietnamese in Korea, about 200,000 Koreans in Vietnam, and 80,000 Vietnam-Korea multicultural families.
Both Vietnam and Korea are beautiful countries with four distinct seasons, rich cultural and historical traditions, majestic nature, friendly and hospitable people, and diverse and unique tourism products that complement each other, making them attractive destinations.
Vietnam boasts eight UNESCO-recognized World Heritage sites: five cultural heritage sites (the Complex of Hue Monuments, the Ancient Town of Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary, the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long, and the Citadel of the Ho Dynasty), two natural heritage sites (Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba), and one mixed heritage site (Trang An Landscape Complex). Its beautiful beaches, majestic and mystical landscapes, such as the Mekong Delta, offer an “Endless Beauty” that captivates international visitors, inviting them to explore and experience Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Korea possesses 16 World Heritage sites, including 14 cultural and two natural sites (Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes and the Getbol, Korean Tidal Flats). It also boasts many tourist attractions with beautiful landscapes and a unique blend of traditional and modern cultures (Seoul, Nami Island, Jeju Island, etc.).
The robust economic, trade, and investment relationship between the two countries has created a favorable environment and boosted tourism and cultural cooperation. New flight routes, attractive and unique products, cultural festivals, art programs, and tourism promotion campaigns have further enhanced bilateral exchanges.
Regarding Vietnam’s tourism development orientation, the Prime Minister shared that with the motto “Distinctive Products – Professional Services – Convenient Procedures – Competitive Prices – Clean and Beautiful Environment – Safe, Civilized, and Friendly Destinations,” Vietnam has set out seven key tasks and solutions for effective and sustainable tourism development. The country is determined to develop tourism as a truly spearhead economic sector, aiming to be among the top 30 countries in tourism competitiveness worldwide.
Vietnam is focusing on comprehensive, rapid, and sustainable tourism development with the motto “Close Coordination – Smooth Collaboration – Extensive Cooperation – Comprehensive Inclusiveness – Sustainable Efficiency.” This approach involves a holistic, people-centered, and global perspective, fostering a sustainable tourism ecosystem and forming national and global tourism linkages.
Since August 15, 2023, Vietnam has extended the length of stay for Korean tourists from 15 to 45 days. For those entering with an e-visa, the duration has been extended to 90 days.
The Prime Minister expressed his hope that the two sides would jointly develop specific and practical cooperation programs and projects to elevate Vietnam-Korea tourism to new heights, striving for 5.5 million tourist arrivals, commensurate with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
Establishing a Vietnamese Cultural Center in Korea
In the field of culture, the Prime Minister acknowledged that Vietnam-Korea cultural cooperation has been continuously nurtured and strengthened, creating a solid and profound foundation for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Culture and tourism always go hand in hand, complementing each other’s development.
The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts and results of cooperation between the Ministries of Culture, Sports and Tourism of the two countries in implementing the signed documents on cultural cooperation in general and the development of cultural industries in particular.
Over the past 30 years, Korea has made remarkable strides in the field of cultural industries. The “Korean Wave” has not only brought significant economic value but also effectively promoted the country’s brand internationally through film, music, and fashion, among other aspects.
“There is probably not a day when Korean dramas are not aired on Vietnam’s national and local television channels,” said the Prime Minister, adding that Korea’s experience and success serve as valuable lessons for Vietnam’s nascent cultural industries, which have achieved some encouraging results.
For Vietnam, the beloved and revered President Ho Chi Minh once taught: “Culture lights the path for the nation.” Comrade Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, has also stated: “Culture reflects the identity of a nation; where there is culture, there is the nation, and where there is no culture, the nation perishes.”
Vietnam, with its over 4,000 years of history, possesses many unique cultural values and traditions while also actively contributing to the common cultural heritage of humanity.
The country is focusing on building an advanced culture imbued with national identity, serving as an essential endogenous strength for sustainable development, ensuring social progress, equity, and social welfare, leaving no one behind. Culture is the spiritual foundation, an endogenous force, and a driving inspiration for the people.
Regarding the orientation of Vietnam’s cultural industries development, the Prime Minister shared that to create cultural industry products and services that are “Creative – Identity – Unique – Professional – Healthy – Competitive – Sustainable” on the foundation of “Nation – Science – People,” Vietnam has adopted the motto “Sharp Thinking, Skillful Action, and Selecting the Essence for Breakthrough Development.” The country aims to gradually build national-level brands and participate in the global value chain.
Vietnam is formulating a Strategy for the Development of Vietnam’s Cultural Industries until 2030, with a vision towards 2045, aiming to internationalize the values and identities of Vietnamese culture globally and integrate the essence of world cultures into Vietnam.
Vietnam hopes to walk hand in hand with Korea and receive its support and cooperation in the process of building and implementing strategies and policies to strongly and effectively develop cultural industries in the future.
The Prime Minister requested Korea’s support in developing Vietnam’s tourism and cultural industries, especially in improving institutions, mechanisms, and policies, as well as in infrastructure development, human resources training, governance capacity enhancement, and resource and financial mobilization.
Recalling the saying, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together,” the Prime Minister highly appreciated and was pleased to see that along with tourism cooperation, cultural cooperation between Vietnam and Korea has been continuously nurtured and strengthened.
The forum provided a valuable and beneficial opportunity for both sides to share and exchange ideas, marking a new era of success and prosperity for Vietnam-Korea tourism and cultural cooperation.
On this occasion, the Prime Minister acknowledged and appreciated the valuable contributions of Mr. Lee Chang-ken in his role as Vietnam’s Tourism Ambassador in Korea. He hoped that Mr. Lee and his colleagues would continue to contribute to the development of bilateral tourism cooperation. The Prime Minister also acknowledged the contributions of Korean corporations that have actively invested in Vietnam’s cultural and tourism sectors.
The Prime Minister requested Korea’s support and facilitation in establishing a Vietnamese Cultural Center in Korea.
He also suggested that Korean businesses pay more attention to and promote investment in tourism, cultural industries, and entertainment in Vietnam.
The Prime Minister expressed his belief and expectation that the national tourism authorities, local governments, airlines, travel companies, accommodation facilities, and enterprises of both countries would work together to develop specific and practical cooperation programs and projects. These joint efforts will elevate Vietnam-Korea cultural and tourism cooperation to new heights, creating value commensurate with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
The Prime Minister assigned the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam to continue leading discussions and seriously consider the proposals and suggestions made at the forum. This will contribute to the completion and early issuance of the Prime Minister’s decision on the Strategy for the Development of Vietnam’s Cultural Industries until 2030, with a vision towards 2045, along with the effective implementation of the Vietnam Tourism Development Strategy until 2030. These efforts will ensure that cultural and tourism cooperation between the two countries truly creates a new driving force for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, for the common benefit of the two peoples, and for peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world.
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