This working visit of the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Malaysia is important significance, marking the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Malaysia, stated MOCST’s Deputy Minister Doan Van Viet. The Deputy Minister of MOCST affirmed that this meeting will help the two sides suggest many cooperative activities in the fields that the two Ministries are in charge of.

MOCST’s Deputy Minister Doan Van Viet (right) having a meeting with Mr. Dato’ Sri Abdul Rahman, Deputy Minister, Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia (Photo: TITC)

Over the past 50 years, the Vietnam - Malaysia cooperative relationship has been continuously nurtured by the leaders and people of the two countries. Cooperation in the fields of culture, arts and tourism is focused on development, achieving many positive results. Vietnam and Malaysia have actively implemented many cultural and artistic exchange activities on the basis of bilateral and multilateral cooperation in ASEAN. In bilateral relations, on the occasion of 45 years of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Malaysia, the two sides organised an anniversary celebration combined with an art programme.

And to celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Malaysia, the two sides jointly organised an art programme at Hanoi Opera House on the evening of 8th September. Within the ASEAN multilateral framework, 2020 was the ASEAN Chairmanship Year in Vietnam. Malaysia participated in cultural and artistic activities organised by Vietnam such as ASEAN Film Week, ASEAN traditional costume exhibition, and ASEAN graphic painting exhibition. In particular, in 2022, which marks the 55th anniversary of the founding of ASEAN, at the initiative of Vietnam, the Malaysian side sent delegations to participate in events hosted and organised by Vietnam such as ASEAN Film Week 2022, ASEAN Cultural Colours Exhibition, ASEAN Traditional Costume Exhibition at Hue Festival 2022 and the 57th Conference of the ASEAN Culture and Information Committee chaired by Vietnam. Vietnam also sent a delegation to attend the ASEAN Cultural Subcommittee Conference chaired by Malaysia.

Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Chairman of Vietnam National Authority of Tourism at the meeting (Photo: TITC)

Regarding the field of tourism, Vietnam - Malaysia signed a Government-level Tourism Cooperation Agreement in 1994, laying a solid foundation for future cooperation and development activities in the field. Malaysia has also opened a Tourism Promotion Office in Vietnam since October 2011 in Ho Chi Minh City and regularly attended international tourism fairs in Vietnam. In the opposite direction, Vietnam also has regularly organised road shows to introduce and promote destinations in Malaysia; Organised famtrips and presstrips to learn tourism services; Organised market launch programmes, introduced tourism products…

Malaysia is among the 10 largest tourist source markets of Vietnam. MOCST’s Deputy Minister Doan Van Viet is happy to inform about positive recovery of Vietnam tourism. Accordingly, in the first 8 months of 2023, Vietnam welcomed 7.8 million international visitor arrivals, including more than 292,000 Malaysian arrivals, reaching 98% of the whole year 2023 plan.

With the advantages of good friendship and cooperation, close geographical distance, convenient flight routes, bilateral visa exemption policy and many organised cultural and tourism promotion activities, the amount of tourist exchange between Vietnam and Malaysia has grown steadily over the years.

According to MOCST’s Deputy Minister Doan Van Viet, the potential of cooperation between Vietnam and Malaysia is huge, therefore, he hopes that the two sides continue to promote cooperative relations in the fields of culture, arts, and tourism within the bilateral and multilateral ASEAN framework.

The two sides need to strengthen the organisation of activities to promote the country, culture and people through film weeks, photo exhibitions, art shows... From there, people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding will be enhanced, as well as increase efficiency in promoting and attracting tourists from each country, suggested MOCST’s Deputy Minister Doan Van Viet.

Regarding solutions to strengthen cooperation in tourism development, MOCST’s Deputy Minister Doan Van Viet emphasised, the national tourism agencies of Vietnam and Malaysia need to promote information exchange and support each other in participating in tourism stimulation events such as fairs, international conferences, exchange of promotion and media delegations to accelerate the speed of recovery of tourist exchange; offer conditions to connect tourism businesses and encourage investment, enhancing the effectiveness of business cooperation.

In cooperation in developing tourism products, the two sides will soon research and organise events to share experiences, especially in Malaysia's strong areas such as festival tourism and shopping tourism. Vietnam proposed Malaysia to support Vietnam in developing Halal tourism in Vietnam in a systematic and professional manner; encourage investment in production and supply chains of Halal products in Vietnam to serve the demands of tourists, especially Muslim tourists.

Overview of the meeting (Photo: TITC)

Deputy Minister, Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia Dato' Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman stated that Malaysia always cherishes friendly relations and multilateral cooperation with Vietnam. Vietnam is an important partner of Malaysia in Southeast Asia. The Deputy Minister, Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture of Malaysia also sent his sincere thanks for Vietnam's active support in joining Malaysia in organising activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Deputy Minister Dato' Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman believes that culture, arts and tourism cooperation activities will make an important contribution to the development of friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries; as well as bringing sustainable growth, stable socio-economic development, and ensuring social security for each country. Culture and arts are also a "bridge" to help the people of the two countries increase mutual understanding, emphasised the Malaysian Deputy Minister.

Deputy Minister Dato' Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman also agreed that in the coming time, the two sides will increase information exchange, develop specific cooperation plans, and organise cultural and artistic exchange activities in accordance with their strengths including film weeks, exhibitions… especially on occasions when important events take place on both sides. Additionally, promote communication work, introducing to the public the good cultural and artistic values of the two nations.

Leaders of both sides gifting souvenirs (Photo: TITC)

Regarding tourism, Deputy Minister Dato' Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman affirmed that Malaysia will create the most favourable conditions for Vietnam to organise tourism promotion activities in his country. Malaysia also hopes that Vietnam will actively support Malaysia to successfully organise tourism promotion activities in Vietnam. Exchanging experiences in tourism development and supporting the development of Halal tourism in Vietnam will be Malaysia's priority activities in the next stage.

Mr. Dato' Roslan Tan Sri Abdul Rahman also expressed his wish that the two sides focus on strengthening coordination in managing the quality of tourism services at each side's destinations; thereby increasing the experience and meeting the demands of tourists.

Leaders of both sides taking souvenir photo (Photo: TITC)

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