A performance at a gala dinner to mark the
25^th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties on December 14

Addressing the event, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien expressed his belief that apart from enhancing bilateral cultural and tourism ties, the festival will boost the strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and the RoK. 

The official also voiced his hope that the number of Korean tourists to Viet Nam will increase in 2018. 

Vietnamese Ambassador to the RoK Nguyen Vu Tu highlighted the fruitful political ties and cultural similarities shared by the two countries, which, he said, have helped promote business, cultural and tourism links.

At the opening ceremony, the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism introduced famous landscapes in Viet Nam and major tourism events to be held in the country next year. 

On the occasion, Mr. Thien handed over the decision to appoint Ly Xuong Can, a descendant of King Ly Thai To - the first king of the Ly dynasty (1010-1225), as Viet Nam’s tourism ambassador to the RoK for 2017-2020. 

A banquet was held following the opening ceremony to mark the 25^th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (December 22).

On December 13, Mr. Thien met with RoK Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jong-hwan in Seoul. 

The two sides agreed to intensify cultural, sport and tourism cooperation in order to enhance mutual understanding and friendship between their people. 

The Korean side pledged to share its experience with Viet Nam in areas of its strength like archery, shooting, taekwondo and e-sports. 

They agreed to ask their airlines to open more routes from the RoK to tourist destinations in Viet Nam and increase the frequency of flights, while organising tourism promotion programmes. 

Viet Nam urged the RoK to hold more training courses on the Korean tourism market and Korean language for Vietnamese tour guides.