On the evening of June 27, in Milan, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) collaborated with the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy to organize a tourism promotion event, as reported by VNA.
The event was graced by local dignitaries such as Alessandra Priante, President of the Italian Government Tourist Board (ENIT), and Raffaele Cattaneo, Deputy Minister responsible for international relations in Italy’s Lombardia region. In attendance were also numerous representatives from travel, hospitality, airline industries, and press associations of both Italy and Vietnam.
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| Tourism promotion program held in Milan on June 27. Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Italy |
During her speech at the event, Priante expressed her optimism about the expected increase in tourist exchange between Italy and Vietnam.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Italy has recently undertaken various initiatives to foster cooperation and promote tourism in local communities. These efforts include displaying photos that showcase Vietnam’s tourism attractions on trains in Milan and Ferrari cars in Macerata, as well as distributing books, movies, and ceramic vases, among other promotional items.
According to Priante, these activities were well-received and supported by the Italian people. She suggested that the governments of both countries consider signing a bilateral tourism cooperation agreement for the new period. She also proposed promoting direct flights from Vietnam to Italy, which would strengthen economic and tourism ties between the two nations.
Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director of VNAT, emphasized the significance of the Italian market for Vietnamese tourism in Europe. He shared that in 2023, Vietnam welcomed approximately 57,000 Italian visitors, which is equivalent to over 80% of pre-COVID-19 levels. Khanh believed that the Vietnam Tourism Roadshow in Italy presented a valuable opportunity for tourism businesses from both countries to exchange updated information, explore collaboration possibilities, and prepare for a new phase of robust development.
He highlighted convenient direct flights, straightforward immigration procedures, captivating destinations, and the warm hospitality of the people as ideal conditions to foster tourism growth between Vietnam and Italy.
Duong Hai Hung, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy, underscored the importance of Italy as the third-largest economy in the EU and a promising tourist market for Vietnam. Marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023, the two countries celebrated a long-standing friendship and cooperative relationship, providing a solid foundation for cultural, economic, and tourism collaboration.
Hung acknowledged the embassy’s efforts in promoting cooperation and tourism in various Italian localities. He also expressed appreciation for the cooperation between Italy and the Lombardy region, emphasizing the need for a direct flight connection between the two countries.
The cultural performance by Vietnamese artists, featuring song, dance, and music, captivated the audience and showcased the rich cultural and artistic heritage of Vietnam.
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| Representatives from Vietnamese and Italian tourism businesses connect at the tourism promotion program in Milan, Italy. Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Italy |
During the event, Italian travel businesses expressed their keen interest and asked insightful questions to gain a deeper understanding of Vietnam’s tourism policies and incentives.
As part of the tourism promotion program in Italy, Director Khanh held a meeting with the President of ENIT and the Deputy Minister responsible for international relations of Lombardia. Both sides reaffirmed the importance of strengthening tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Italy in the coming period. They agreed to encourage the signing of a bilateral tourism cooperation agreement and proposed the establishment of direct flights between the two countries.
The program in Italy was one of several initiatives to promote Vietnamese tourism in Europe, alongside similar events held in France and Germany.
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