(TITC) - On 22nd June, the opening ceremony of the Vietnam Culture and Tourism Festival took place at the centre of Warsaw Old Town, Poland. The event is part of a series of activities during a working trip to three European countries by leadership of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST), to promote cultural diplomacy and tourism of Vietnam, and stimulating travel demand from Vietnam’s traditional tourist markets.
Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony to open the Vietnam Culture and Tourism Festival in Poland
Attending the ceremony were Mr. Ho An Phong, MOCST’s Deputy Minister; Mr. Ha Hoang Hai, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Vietnam to the Republic of Poland and concurrently to Lithuania; Mr. Ha Van Sieu, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism; leaders of MOCST’s departments; representatives of the People’s Committee of Hue City and relevant local authorities; along with a large number of international guests.
Within the framework of the festival, numerous cultural programs took place, including the Vietnamese cuisine showcase, featuring signature dishes such as pho, nem ran (fried spring rolls), and Vietnamese iced milk coffee, which attracted a large number of delegates and guests to visit, experience, and enjoy. Delegates, locals, and visitors were also treated to traditional art performances by artists from the Vietnam National Music, Song and Dance Theatre.
VNAT’s Vice Chairman Ha Van Sieu at the Hue City’s tourism promotional booth
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism also set up a Vietnam tourism exhibition space, with an area displaying promotional videos on Vietnam’s tourism and its local destinations. Additionally, various booths distributed publications, souvenirs, promotional items, and provided information exchange. Visitors showed great interest in the area showcasing tourism products from Vietnamese businesses, as well as displays of Vietnamese agricultural products.
A particularly exciting element was the enthusiastic participation in mini game contests, including photo and video clip competitions about the festival. Prizes included:
- Two round-trip Europe-Vietnam air tickets (sponsored by Vietnam Airlines)
One all-inclusive 12-day “Vietnam's Green Journey” tour (sponsored by LUX Group)
- Travel vouchers (sponsored by Vietravel)
- Travel and hotel program vouchers (sponsored by Hanoitourist)
- Hotel vouchers (sponsored by Alba Thanh Tan Resort)
The event was held in the open-air setting of Warsaw’s historic Old Town, attracting a large number of international visitors
The event was held in the open-air setting of Warsaw’s historic Old Town, attracting a large number of delegates, guests, and international visitors. The diverse and engaging activities closely linked to Vietnam’s unique culture, art, cuisine, and tourism left a strong impression and drew many attendees to participate and experience. As a result, the image of a friendly and attractive Vietnam with its rich cultural heritage was effectively introduced to the Polish public, contributing to increased interest and future visits from Polish tourists.
According to Resolution 11/NQ-CP by the Government of Vietnam, Poland is one of three European countries eligible for visa exemption with a maximum temporary stay of up to 45 days for tourism purposes, under programs organized by Vietnamese international travel service providers. This policy is effective from 01 March to 31 December 2025.
The Vietnamese cuisine showcase area attracted significant interest from international visitors
In terms of tourist exchange, in 2023, Vietnam welcomed over 34,000 Polish visitor arrivals, recovering to 98% of 2019 levels. In 2024, the number rose to over 51,000, an increase of 25% compared to 2019. In the first five months of 2025, nearly 37,000 Polish tourist arrivals visited Vietnam, up 44.5% year-on-year. Poland currently ranks 6th among European markets sending tourists to Vietnam.
Year 2024 marks a strong expansion phase for outbound tourism from Poland, with significant increases in both the number of trips and tourism spendings. Data shows Polish travelers made approximately 14.6 million international trips in 2024, with estimated spending at USD 10.4 billion. In addition to traditional European destinations, Polish tourists are showing growing interest in farther destinations across Asia. With its rapid growth, the Polish outbound travel market is becoming increasingly important. The visa exemption policy under Resolution 11 provides a valuable opportunity for Vietnamese destinations and tourism businesses to connect, collaborate, and attract more Polish visitors in the near future.
Exhibition Area of Vietnamese Agricultural Products
Tourism Information Technology Center
