Vietnam and Thailan boost tourism cooperation



Ha Noi, Nov. 6 (VNA) -- Minutes of a session to discuss measures to boost Viet Nam-Thailand tourism cooperation were signed in Ha Noi on Nov. 5 by the General Director of the Viet Nam Tourism Administration (VTA) and the President of the Tourism Administration of Thailand (TAT) Adisai Bodharamik.

The signing followed the talks between VTA General Director Vo Thi Thang and TAT President Adisai Bodharamik who was on a working visit to Viet Nam.

The two tourism chiefs reviewed tourism cooperation between the two countries over the past years, saying the cooperation has seen constant development, particularly after the signing of an agreement on visa exemption for the two countries' citizens helding popular passports. They noted that the agreement has helped facilitate business, investment and tourism activities and strengthen mutual understanding between the two countries.

Thailand has invested USD 380 million in 12 projects in tourism and hotel industries, ranking 10th among investors in Viet Nam's tourism.

Thailand has helped Viet Nam train managers and executives and accelerated cooperation in tourism under the framework of cooperation among ASEAN countries; the expanded Mekong river basin, and the East-West Corridor.

At the talks, the two sides agreed to further boost cooperation in making plans for tourism development, attracting investment in tourism, developing human resources, developing infrastructure facilities, linking transport routes in service of tourism, and facilitating travel between the two countries and from third countries.