Attending the meeting were Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Chairman of Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), Ms. Nguyen Phuong Hoa, Director of the Department of International Cooperation (under MOCST).

Overview of the meeting (Photo: TITC)

At the meeting, Mr. Brian McFeeters - Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of US-ABC, said, US-ABC includes 180 member businesses actively operating in many fields, including tourism. US-ABC focuses on measures to support ASEAN governments in the field of sustainable and responsible tourism, using innovative tools and digital transformation for recovery and sustainable development, promoting intra-ASEAN tourism. Mr. Brian McFeeters hopes that the Minister shares about the priorities of the tourism industry and Vietnam's tourism development plan in 2024 so that member businesses can jointly promote stronger exchanges and cooperation in the field of tourism with Vietnam.

Delegates of the US-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) at the meeting (Photo: TITC)

MOCST’s Minister Nguyen Van Hung emphasised, Vietnam always appreciates the cooperative role of businesses in all fields, especially tourism. In 2023, US President Joe Biden's visit to Vietnam and the visit of Vietnamese State leaders to the US have made an important contribution to enhancing cooperative relations between the two countries. Since then, the implementation of economic cooperation between the two sides' businesses has also gone smoothly and is expected to achieve many positive results.

MOCST’s Minister Nguyen Van Hung at the meeting (Photo: TITC)

Regarding Vietnam's tourism activities in 2023, MOCST’s Minister Nguyen Van Hung stated, Vietnam tourism has had spectacular development. Vietnam welcomed 12.6 million international visitor arrivals, completing the set goal; serving 108.2 million domestic visitor trips. Total tourist receipts reached VND 678.3 trillion, exceeding the plan by 4.35%.

Vietnam aims to welcome 17 - 18 million international visitor arrivals and serve 110 million domestic visitor trips in 2024. To achieve this target, Vietnam is aiming to cooperate in tourism development, which emphasises the role of two major centres, Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City. In addition, continue to innovate Vietnam's tourism products in a unique direction to meet the demands of tourists, with attractive policies for each tourist group. Expand development of potential tourist markets such as Saudi Arabia, along with building new tourism product lines such as Halal tourism. In particular, strengthen the promotion and investment promotion of tourism on digital platforms and tourism through cinema. Additionally, call on investors to build and complete accommodation facilities and tourism infrastructure at destinations.

MOCST’s Minister Nguyen Van Hung gifting souvenir to Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director of the US-ABC Brian McFeeters (Photo: TITC)

At the meeting, representatives of Expedia Group, Marriott International Group, Caribbean Cruise Line, and Estee Lauder Brand also introduced the investment situation as well as provided contribution figures in the fields of travel, accommodation, transportation and sales in Vietnam's economic development, especially the tourism sector. At the same time, they hope to have appropriate plans and programmes to promote cooperation and develop Vietnam tourism in many aspects.

MOCST’s Minister Nguyen Van Hung congratulated the initial positive results that US-ABC member businesses have achieved in Vietnam, including tourism. He stressed that Vietnam is a potential market and needs stronger investment to maximise available advantages.

​MOCST’s Minister Nguyen Van Hung suggested, in the future, Expedia can connect with the Vietnam Travel application to provide and share more information about Vietnam tourism to increase the number of visitors to Vietnam through Expedia's platform. At the same time, proposed signing a tourism programme with the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism to produce films and short video clips to introduce and promote the natural beauty, country, people of Vietnam and attractive destinations and promote communication on Expedia's platform.

The Minister also appreciated and encouraged Marriott International Group to continue to invest strongly and increase high-end accommodation facilities in many localities of Vietnam.

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

Regarding cruise tourism, the Minister said that this tourism trend in Vietnam is receiving great attention and is continuing to be invested in more seaports. Regarding immigration procedures, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will research and discuss with relevant ministries and branches to further facilitate this specific group of visitors. At the same time, it is recommended that the Carribean Cruise Group cooperate with major Vietnamese travel businesses to develop tourism programmes and products suitable for each type of tourist.

Vietnam is also interested in investing in developing and expanding stores providing health care and beauty services; Forming night economy and streets selling a variety of products, including high-end product lines as well as specific Vietnamese products to introduce to tourists, contributing to promoting the economy. The Minister also hopes that during the meeting in Vietnam next March, there will be opportunities to exchange more specific information with US-ABC and member businesses.

​Tourism Information Technology Center