Attending the congress were leaders of MoCST and nearly 200 delegates from departments and units under MoCST.

 

On this occasion, by outstanding achievements in 5 years (2016-2020) and on the occation of 60th anniversary of Vietnam's tourism Industry (1960-2020), Vietnam National Administration of Tourism honorably receiveed the First Class Labor Medal.

 

 

Speaking at the congress, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien emphasized that the congress was an important political event, a great festival of the whole MoCST; an occasion to honor excellent organizations and individuals in the 2016-2020 period, thereby spreading the vibrant spirit in the patriotic emulation movement of the MoCST.

 

Over the past 5 years, the MoCST was granted with many noble awards such as: Ho Chi Minh Medal to the MoCST, Certificates of Merit from the Prime Minister, dozens of medals of all grades. The President granted 18 Ho Chi Minh awards for literature and art sector; 95 State prizes for literature and art sector; 186 People's Artists; 687 Outstanding Artists; 66 People's Artisans; 1,187 Outstanding Artisans; 11 People's Teachers and 15 Outstanding Teachers.

 

Vietnam’s sports have made impressive changes with the continuous reaping of great achievements.

 

 

Vietnam tourism has made impressive leaps. Recording 85 million domestic visitors and 18 million international visitors in 2019 was a new milestone of Vietnam tourism. Facing the difficulties of the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam tourism has promptly adapted and prepared several scenarios for tourism recovery, affirming that Vietnam is always an attractive and safe destination for international tourists.

 

The patriotic emulation movement has become the driving force for the MoCST to strive, overcome difficulties, and successfully complete the political tasks assigned by the Party and State. The course of culture, family, sports and tourism has made steady progress, the cultural life and spirit of the Vietnamese people have been raised, affirming the role "Culture is the spiritual foundation of the commune. It is both the target and the driving force to promote the economic and social development”.

 

 

Delivering speech at the congress, Vice Chairwoman of VNAT Nguyen Thi Thanh Huong said that in the period 2015-2019, Vietnam tourism has made great progress. International tourists to Vietnam increased from 8 million to 18 million, recording average annual growth rate of 23%. Total tourism revenue increased from VND 338 trillion to VND 755 trillion. Direct contribution of the tourism industry to GDP raised from 6.3% to 9.2%. Vietnam tourism has received many prestigious awards by reputable organizations in the world.

 

To meet the development requirements in the new situation, the tourism industry will focus on implementing key solutions such as restructuring the tourist market; reforming tourism promotion by applying modern digital technology; developing new products and services to meet the needs of customers; promoting public-private cooperation and regional linkage, mobilizing social resources; improving the efficiency of state management and facilitating tourism business activities.

 

 

Congratulating and highly appreciating the achievements of the MoCST in recent years, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh affirmed that the MoCST has made many efforts to successfully complete its tasks, building rich Vietnamese culture, promoting tourism to become a spearhead economic sector, developing physical training and sports, especially developing sports to a new height.

 

 

 

Particularly for tourism, the Vice President emphasized that the tourism industry has remarkably developed in both accommodation establishments, visitors and total tourism revenue; attracting a large amount of labors, contributing a high proportion to the GDP growth of the country. Tourism has basically become a spearhead economic sector. Vietnam was ranked 6th among the top 10 countries attracting international visitors by World Tourism Organization.

 

In 2020, the tourism industry is heavily affected by the Covid-19 epidemic, losing US$ 23 billion, reducing 80% of international visitors, 50% of domestic tourists. The Vice President believed that the industry would have solutions to gradually recover effectively, affirming that Vietnam tourism is always an attractive and safe destination for visitors.

 

 

In the coming time, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh suggested a number of key tasks such as: promote cultural environment, improve quality of cultural activities; improve the quality of physical training and sports activities, continue to promote the movement physical training; develop tourism really becoming a spearhead economic sector, creating a driving force to promote the development of other sectors.