Sciences and Humanities of the Viet Nam National University (VNU), Binh Duong University, the US’s University of Hawaii and the provincial People’s Committee.

Addressing the event, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Vuong Binh Thanh noted the province’s favourable conditions for tourism development, saying that the locality has beautiful landscapes and special national relic sites.

He hoped that participants will help make the tourism sector an economic spearhead and a significant part of the province’s socio-economic development strategy.

Nguyen To Lan, from the Institute of Han-Nom Studies in Ha Noi, highlighted spiritual tourism potential in Sam Mountain, Chau Doc district.

Ngo Thanh Loan from the VNU - Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities also introduced homestay tourism potential in rural areas of the province.

An Giang is the religious tourism hub in the south, particularly in the Temple of Ba Chua Xu (Protector Goddess), Loan said, adding that the province is also home to numerous religions and beliefs.

Meanwhile, Jonathan Warren from the US’s University of Washington stressed the need for developing culture and education in tandem with the economy, saying that investment for education and culture will drive economic development and vice versa.

Participants also discussed ways to strengthen management over climate change adaption in the Mekong Delta region and promote spiritual tourism in Viet Nam.