China wants to boost cooperation in tourism with Vietnam, Chairman of the China National Tourism Administration Shao Qiwei told Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan.
During their meeting in Hanoi on August 9, the Chinese tourism official briefed Deputy PM Nhan on the results of talks with Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on tourism cooperation between Vietnam and China in the 2010-2013 period.
Chairman Shao said tourism has made significant contributions to China’s annual economic growth and the Chinese leaders decided to develop the sector as the country’s spearhead industry.
Deputy PM Nhan spoke highly of the current Vietnam visit by top leader of the Chinese tourism sector, describing it as a manifestation of the development in tourism cooperation between the two countries.
Both countries’ tourism sectors have potential for greater cooperation thanks to their geographies, he said. The Deputy PM stressed that Vietnam was willing to create favourable conditions for Chinese people in border provinces to visit Vietnam for longer periods.
He said he believed bilateral cooperation in the field would be further promoted, particularly in sea cruises and language training for tourist guides.