Vietnam's unique culture can be a strong point in attracting tourists, said Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya, Deputy Director General of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in charge of marketing and communications, in an interview with a VNA reporter in Thailand.
Mr. Chattan Kunjara Na Ayudhya said, "Vietnam is developing very fast. I think when tourists come to Vietnam, they can see a lot of things. Partly I think if you want tourists to have more enjoyable moments, you should develop more infrastructure, develop transportation which is already good." According to him, tourists are really interested in culture in Vietnam.
He emphasized: "Vietnam has a very unique culture and I think that can be a strength for you to promote." Thai officials also said that Vietnam should develop tourism in second-tier cities and smaller towns.
Sharing the same view, Mr. Songrit Pongern, a journalist and Thai cultural researcher who has visited Vietnam many times, commented that Vietnam, with its diverse culture, has no shortage of festivals to promote to international tourists.
According to him, “Vietnam can do the same as Thailand. You can choose festivals that can be popularized for foreigners to participate and feel happy.” He said that “in fact, the Thai ethnic community in Northern Vietnam also has the Songkran festival. This is a festival to celebrate the new crop. You can also promote the organization of the Songkran festival in the Northern region.”
International visitors visit and enjoy Xoan singing in Phu Tho.
According to Mr. Songrit Pongern, Thailand's strength is tourism and the country has long incorporated cultural promotion into its tourism promotion campaigns. Thailand is very active in promoting its festivals and encourages foreigners to learn about the cultural festivals held throughout the year in Thailand.
The most familiar Thai festivals to foreigners are Songkran in April and Loi Krathong in November. These two festivals always appear in every Thai tourism promotion campaign both at home and abroad.
In particular, according to him, Songkran or Thai New Year is considered a festival to pray for a better life and is also the most joyful occasion. Therefore, Songkran is loved by many foreign tourists and they want to have the opportunity to participate in this festival not just once but many times.
Songkran Festival has long become a unique feature of Thai tourism.
