The event was co-organised by the Vietnam Administration of Tourism (VNAT), the Vietnam Permanent Delegation to UNESCO, and the Vietnamese Association in France.

Vu The Binh, head of VNAT’s Travel Service Department, said that each member of the Vietnamese community in France is a key element in introducing the image of Vietnam’s people and land and Vietnamese tourism products to international friends.

He emphasised that in addition to efforts by the Government, State management agencies, and tourism businesses, the participation of Overseas Vietnamese in boosting Vietnamese tourism is of great significance.

During the seminar, delegates gave many opinions and proposed practical measures to ensure sustainable development of Vietnam’s tourism sector.

They suggested improving the role of organisations, associations, and travel agents in launching tourism promotion activities, as well as training tourist guides in the current context of global integration.

They also stressed the need to improve the quality of tourism services and open new ecological tours to attract more visitors.

On the occasion, VNAT deputy head Nguyen Manh Cuong affirmed the Government’s commitment to Vietnam’s tourism development, adding that a zoning plan on tourism development until 2020 with a vision to 2030 has been approved by the Government.

He revealed that Vietnam will grant visa fee exemptions for foreign tourists during the celebration of the forthcoming 1,000th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi in October, 2010.