Ho Chi Minh City and Phuket province (Thailand) strengthen cooperation in the field of tourism.

At the meeting, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, Vo Van Hoan, emphasized that Vietnam and Thailand have a long-standing and friendly relationship. The two countries have achieved many important successes in both multilateral and bilateral relations. This year, the two countries are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership.

“Ho Chi Minh City values ​​its relationship with Thailand and wishes to continue contributing to the development of the enhanced Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and Thailand through promoting trade, investment, cultural exchange, science, technology, and people-to-people exchanges. Ho Chi Minh City also wishes to develop relations with Thai localities to contribute to the relationship between the two countries. Currently, the city has signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing friendly cooperation with Bangkok since 2015 and maintains regular annual exchange activities,” said Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Vo Van Hoan.

To enhance the potential for cooperation between Phuket Province and Ho Chi Minh City, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Vo Van Hoan proposed organizing an investment, trade, and tourism promotion conference for Phuket Province in Ho Chi Minh City and a conference for Ho Chi Minh City in Phuket Province as soon as possible. This would introduce the mechanisms, policies, and support from the governments, enabling the business communities of both localities to connect and implement specific cooperation projects in various fields.

Furthermore, Ho Chi Minh City and Phuket are both popular tourist destinations in Southeast Asia, representing Vietnam and Thailand respectively. This is an area where the two sides can foster cooperation. The two localities can collaborate on marketing campaigns and promotional activities to attract more tourists from international markets, including joint promotions, participation in tourism exhibitions together, and coordination with travel companies to create combined tour packages encompassing both destinations.

Mr. Danai Sunantharod, Deputy Governor of Phuket Province, stated that the purpose of the visit was to promote bilateral relations on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries. Phuket Province is pleased that the number of Vietnamese tourists visiting the province is increasing year after year.

“In Phuket province, there is a significant number of Thai people of Vietnamese descent; there is an Association of Thai People of Vietnamese Origin; and a Thai Tourism Association. Currently, there are two direct flights from Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to Phuket… These are favorable conditions for the two localities to promote cooperation in the fields of tourism and trade…” - Mr. Danai Sunantharod shared.