Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ho An Phong made this statement at the opening of the first ASEAN - Korea Roundtable in Tourism on July 2.
The first ASEAN - Korea Roundtable in Tourism opened at DTU. The event brought together policymakers, tourism businesses, experts, and representatives from international organizations from both regions, and is a significant milestone in tourism cooperation between ASEAN and the Republic of Korea.
Speaking at the forum, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ho An Phong stated that ASEAN welcomed nearly 127 million international visitors in 2023, including about 10 million from South Korea. Vietnam was the top destination for Korean tourists, attracting 4.6 million visitors.
“Holding the forum in Danang not only demonstrates the strong commitment to cooperation among the countries in the region but also reflects the trust and expectations placed on this coastal city in Central Vietnam as an increasingly important hub for international conferences,” Mr Phong said.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ho An Phong
According to Mr Phong, as the global tourism industry enters a post-pandemic recovery phase, ASEAN and South Korea are expected to jointly promote sustainable growth through visa policy reforms, facilitating inter-regional tourism, improving service quality, and training human resources.
The forum therefore offers a space for information sharing and comprehensive dialogue on key topics such as visa policies, air connectivity, tourist safety, and young workforce development.
Sharing the same viewpoint, former ASEAN Secretary-General Le Luong Minh stated that the contributions and insights from the delegates will lay a solid foundation for deeper and wider cooperation between ASEAN and South Korea, leveraging their respective strengths: South Korea’s innovation, and ASEAN’s diverse destinations and cultural depth.
Danang city People’s Committee Vice Chairman Tran Anh Tuan explained that, according to the city’s planning strategy, Danang is set to become a national hub for startups, innovation, finance, commerce, logistics, high-tech industries, and IT. The city also aims to be one of the region’s leading centers for culture, education, high-quality healthcare, sports, and science & technology.
Domestic and international delegates at the forum
“For the tourism sector, Danang aims to become a national and Southeast Asian hub for high-quality tourism & services by 2030,” Mr Tuan said. “By 2045, Danang aspires to become one of Asia’s top travel destinations.” He added that the city authorities are committed to creating the most favorable environment for the development of spearhead economic sectors, especially tourism. The local government will work with stakeholders to ensure tourist safety, simplify immigration procedures, expand air connectivity, and promote the use of technology to deliver seamless and convenient travel experiences.
DTU Provost Dr. Le Nguyen Bao emphasized that the younger generation plays a central role in the strategy for sustainable tourism development in the region. Well-planned investments in education, relations between businesses and academic institutions, and expanded opportunities for international exchange will help shape a workforce that is not only professionally skilled but also deeply rooted in cultural identity and with a spirit of global service.
(Media Center)