On June 25, 2025, DTU, in collaboration with relevant units, held a press conference to announce the ASEAN - Korea Roundtable on Tourism 2025 (AK-RT). The ASEAN - Korea Roundtable on Tourism is held in rotation in each country for 3 years. The first edition will be held in Da Nang (Viet Nam), and sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea and the ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Area (AKFTA) Fund
ASEAN-Korea Tourism Roundtable Conference first time held in Vietnam at DTU
The ASEAN - Korea Roundtable on Tourism 2025 will take place from July 2nd to 4th, jointly organized by DTU and PASSAGE TO ASEAN (P2A), a network of145 universities and colleges in the ASEAN region. The AK-RT aims to promote and revive tourist flows between South Korea and ASEAN, in alignment with Article 5 of the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Cooperation between the ASEAN governments and South Korea on Tourism.
According to Dr. Le Nguyen Tue Hang, DTU Vice Provost and Executive Director of the P2A Institute, the conference would feature leaders, policymakers, researchers, experts, scholars, and representatives from the tourism industry, as well as media from both ASEAN and South Korea. They would come together to discuss, propose creative solutions, and offer practical initiatives to promote sustainable development in the tourism sector between the two regions. With a strong commitment and passion, DTU continued to make efforts in organizing international events in the field of tourism. Notably, two years ago, DTU was honored to be selected as the host and successfully organized the 17th Policy & Strategy Management Training Workshop for Tourism by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in the Asia-Pacific region, a testament to the university’s commitment and credibility in this field. With extensive experience in organizing international events and a successful track record in training, DTU was the first institution in Vietnam to receive the UNWTO.TedQual accreditation for its Tourism training programs, confirming the university's outstanding teaching quality. This conference was not only an opportunity for networking, exchange, and experience-sharing among countries but also opened a wide door for Vietnamese students to step out into the world, integrate, and thrive in the challenging and promising international environment.
Dr. Mo Chul Min, DTU Vice - Provost and Head of the Conference Organizing Committee
The conference will last for three days, focusing on four strategic priorities with the goal of not only addressing urgent issues but also promoting long-term cooperation between countries in the region:
- Enhancing security and facilitating tourism development: Ensuring a safe environment for tourists and supporting the stable development of the tourism industry.
- Improving tourism infrastructure: Focusing on upgrading tourism services and infrastructure to enhance the experience for tourists both within and outside the region.
- Training and developing the tourism workforce: Strengthening specialized training programs for the tourism labor force, enhancing skills, and improving service quality.
- Promoting cultural understanding between ASEAN and South Korea: Increasing cultural exchanges, building trust, and fostering a deeper understanding between the two regions.
These priorities align with and complement the ASEAN+3 Tourism Cooperation Action Plan (2021 - 2025) while contributing to the realization of long-term cooperation goals between ASEAN and South Korea.
The conference not only provides an opportunity to discuss the "hot" issues in the Tourism industry but also serves as a platform for countries to develop policy recommendations aimed at enhancing tourism exchanges between ASEAN and South Korea. Notably, the conference will focus on solutions to help the tourism industry recover and develop sustainably in the post-COVID-19 era, while increasing mutual understanding and trust between the two regions.
Not only is the ASEAN-Korea Tourism Roundtable Conference an important event this year, but it also brings great expectations for long-term cooperation between the two regions. With policies and initiatives to be discussed and approved at the conference, the event will open new opportunities for the recovery and sustainable development of the tourism industry, facilitating cultural exchanges and promoting regional economic growth.
Dr. Mo Chul Min, DTU Vice - Provost and Head of the Conference Organizing Committee, said: “ASEAN and South Korea are currently two major tourism markets for each other, with tourists from ASEAN accounting for 15.4% of the total international arrivals to South Korea in 2024, and South Korea contributing 8.2% of international tourists to ASEAN in 2023. Before the pandemic, tourism exchanges between the two regions grew by over 10% annually, reaching 13 million visitors in 2019. Despite the impact of COVID-19, the tourism industry is expected to fully recover by 2024 and may even surpass pre-pandemic levels. Vietnam is the top destination for South Korean tourists, with 4.6 million visitors expected in 2024, while 511,000 Vietnamese tourists visited South Korea. This Roundtable Conference will tap into the potential of the 700 million-strong tourism market between ASEAN and South Korea, aiming to reach 20 million visitors in the future, overcoming challenges such as costs, visa procedures, workforce, and tourism sustainability.”
Actively participating in organizing major tourism events, DTU not only contributes to the development of the tourism industry but also reaffirms its strong commitment to enhancing the quality of education, research, and international cooperation. The university plays an active role in connecting countries in the region, contributing to the overall development of the ASEAN and South Korea community.
(Media Center)