Congress of Delegates of the Vietnam Tourism Association, 4th term

TOverview of the congress. Photo: H. Quỳnh

During its third term, VITA intensified its policy-making activities and supported businesses: coordinating with state agencies to propose to the government, the Prime Minister, and local authorities many positive solutions to overcome difficulties and create favorable conditions for tourism development, such as issues related to visas, taxes, fees, security, safety, and creating a friendly environment for tourists; organizing or participating in specialized conferences and seminars to contribute opinions on amending the Tourism Law to ensure the draft Tourism Law is more in line with reality; implementing Resolution 35/NQ-CP on supporting and developing businesses for all members; coordinating with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to promote awareness of the importance of visa exemption for tourists; coordinating with the Central Economic Committee to organize a workshop to contribute opinions to the proposal submitted to the government to recommend to the Politburo to issue a Resolution on developing tourism into a key economic sector in the new situation; Participate in reviewing and evaluating national occupational standards in the tourism sector for submission to competent state agencies for consideration and promulgation; coordinate in developing a Circular guiding the application and evaluation of the Green Lotus Sustainable Tourism Label for tourism accommodation establishments.

Regarding product development, VITA has collaborated in proposing solutions to promote and expand the tourism market, such as proposing that the government grant visa exemptions for international visitors from several key markets; reforming visa procedures and expanding visa issuance at border gates to facilitate entry into Vietnam for tourists. It has also proposed to government agencies and relevant authorities solutions to build an image of Vietnam as a safe, friendly, and attractive tourist destination; and regularly organizes or participates in Famtrip and Presstrip programs, as well as survey programs to develop tours, routes, and tourist destinations within individual localities or in collaboration with multiple localities.

Through its promotional efforts, VITA annually organizes the participation of Vietnamese businesses in booths at the ITB Germany trade fair; successfully organizes the Vietnam International Tourism Fair (VITM), attracting over 500 booths from approximately 700 businesses from 20-25 countries and territories each year; participates in numerous promotional and development cooperation programs for tourism in key markets in Europe, Northeast Asia, and ASEAN; fosters close cooperation with tourism organizations in countries and territories such as Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, European countries, ASEAN; airlines, transportation companies, service providers, and local authorities, creating favorable conditions for tourism development.

Entering its new term, VITA will continue to develop policies; support businesses; develop tourism products and markets; provide training and recognition of "Responsible Tourism" for businesses; strengthen information dissemination, promotion, and international cooperation; continue to effectively utilize the presence of the representative offices of Vietnamese tourism businesses in Japan; coordinate with the Vietnam Tourism and Culture Center in France to promote activities in the French market in particular and the European market in general; strengthen cooperation with international tourism associations and other professional social organizations…

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Dang Thi Bich Lien speaks at the Congress. Photo: H.Chi

Speaking at the Congress, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Dang Thi Bich Lien affirmed that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism will always accompany and create the most favorable conditions for VITA's strong development. At the same time, they will always closely coordinate in the management and development of tourism, including the orientation of product and brand development, tourism promotion and marketing, and the inspection and control of tourism service quality. The Deputy Minister also requested that VITA focus on effectively implementing and creating favorable conditions in all aspects to build upon the achievements of the third term and effectively implement the goals and directions for the fourth term. In particular, special attention should be paid to building the organization, developing and improving the quality of tourism products and diversifying tourism promotion methods; and continuing to innovate and be more creative in organizational work and activities to build a truly strong and sustainable association.

The Congress also elected 75 delegates to the Executive Committee and 5 delegates to the Inspection Committee of the Vietnam Tourism Association for the fourth term (2017 – 2022).

The Thanh