Laos-Vietnam promote tourism cooperation to strengthen bilateral ties

Laos and Vietnam have discussed plans on tourism cooperation, aiming to attract more visitors and strengthen ties between the two countries.
Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune welcomed Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Mr Nguyen Ngoc Thien in Vientiane on Thursday as both sides exchanged ideas on cooperation in the sector and plans together.
Prof. Dr Kikeo proposed that both nations continue their long history of cooperation by focusing on exchanging lessons and information on domestic and international conditions in culture and tourism.

He requested that Vietnam assist with Laos’ application for Hin Nam No National Protected Area to become World Heritage-listed as well as holding training courses in Vietnam to upgrade the skills of Lao authorities.
“We should increase exchanges in culture and tourism and learn lessons by using the latest technology and communications and continue cooperation on the national art school construction project”, Prof. Dr Kikeo added.
Mr Nguyen Ngoc Thien thanked the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism for the warm welcome and proposed to Dr Kikeo that cooperation between two countries be enhanced after Lao visitor numbers to Vietnam decreased while other countries increased.
Past cultural and tourism cooperation between the two countries has included the organising of training courses to exchange experiences in the areas of the arts and performing, printing, and library management.  
 The two countries also exchanged lessons in areas such as hotel management, environmental protection, souvenir production, development, established tourism links, tourism promotion of the two countries, and attending international tourism fairs.
Laos and Vietnam plan to undertake joint tourism promotions, improve facilities at immigration checkpoints and examine infrastructure at tourist sites to welcome visitors.
This information was recently reported at a dialogue in Champassak province between leaders of the four southern Lao provinces, the central and southern provinces of Vietnam as well as tourism entrepreneurs from both countries.

By Viengdavanh Banphahaksa
(Latest Update December 9, 2019)