Vietnam welcomed 39,500 Italian tourists in the first eight months 2017.
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Italian Undersecretary of State for Cultural Heritage and Tourism Dorina Bianchi said though the number of Italian visitors to Vietnam is not big, her country’s people are interested in new emerging destinations, including Vietnam.
Vietnam’s natural advantages and delicious food will attract tourists, she said, adding that enhancing bilateral tourism cooperation, including the launch of a direct air route between Vietnam and Italy, will help optimise potential in the field. Additionally, if visa exemptions for Italian holidaymakers are extended to more than 15 days, it could help promote tourism growth, she noted.
In addition, according to Vice Chairwoman the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Thu, Ho Chi Minh City looks forward to sharing knowledge with Italy in its experience of tourism management and relic preservation.
Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Thu told visiting Italian Undersecretary of State of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism Donari Bianchi on September 8 that tourism is among the city’s key industries, contributing greatly to the local socio-economic development.
Thu asked Bianchi, in her position, to continue enhancing the partnership between Ho Chi Minh City and Italy’s localities, especially through cultural exchanges, art performances and tourism, dedicated to increased mutual understanding, solidarity and friendship between their people.
Highlighting the development of the two nations’ relations in recent years, Bianchi vowed that Italy would step up cooperation with Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City in particular in culture and tourism.
Italy is willing to send experts to help the Vietnamese city preserve historical and cultural relic sites as well as provide scholarships for officials in charge of arts and culture and museum preservation, she noted.
The two sides should ramp up tourism promotion campaigns to introduce their people to cultural heritages and the tourism potential of Vietnam and Italy.
