The Viet Nam International Tourism Mart (VITM) 2020 to be held on April 1-4 will focus on preserving heritage and promoting heritage tourism.

Buckwheat fields have turned Ha Giang province into a magnet for tourists (Photo: VNA)

With the theme Heritage – Power of Viet Nam Tourism, the biggest annual event of national tourism will be held by the Viet Nam Tourism Association (VITA), and supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism.

In the eighth edition, the event will be coincided with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the tourism industry.

Vu The Binh, Vice Chairman of the VITA, explained at a recent press conference that heritage is the most important resource of Vietnamese tourism, the key factor to lure domestic and international tourists.

According to Binh the VITM will include photo exhibitions and workshops on this field to raise people’s awareness and promote heritage tourism.

Following the success of the last show in 2019 with over 85,000 visitors, 502 booths and 720 exhibitors from 27 countries and territories, VITM 2020 will be back impressively.

Binh revealed that the event will have the participation of businesses, agencies, tourism promotion agencies from 45 provinces and cities nationwide. Until now, enterprises from 17 countries and territories have registered to take part including the Republic of Korea, the US, Australia, Thailand, China, Japan, Philippines, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, UAE, Cuba, and Sri Lanka.

As usual, the most attractive part of VITM is the tourism stimulus programme. This year, the organising board promised to offer 100,000 cheap tickets, 1‌8,000 package tours, more than 15,000 vouchers with up to 50 percent discount and many other gifts for customers.

As part of the event, the national forum Heritage - Development Resources of Viet Nam Tourism will be held to discuss cultural heritages’ contributions to tourism and economic development.

At the seminar Tourism Looks toward the Future, participants will propose eco-friendly tourist products and introduce technological application in tourism development.

Other activities include an awarding ceremony honouring individuals and tourism businesses, art performances and culinary presentations.

Dinh Ngoc Duc, Director of the Market Department under the Viet Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), said the sustainable development, heritage preservation and environment protection are remarkable issues to mention at all activities of the VITM.

Tangible and intangible heritage have been the leading resource to Viet Nam tourism, he said.

(Source: VNA)