Laying a solid foundation for the strong development of rail tourism

Attending the ceremony were Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong; Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Danh Huy; Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh; Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Railways Corporation Dang Sy Manh.

Tourism and transportation are two closely related fields.

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong affirmed that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and Vietnam Railways Corporation is a strategic step to strengthen cooperation between the two sectors of Tourism and Railways in the development of the country, contributing to promoting economic development, improving service business efficiency, and better serving the needs of people and tourists.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong spoke at the signing ceremony.

This event is even more meaningful when it is held on the 64th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam Tourism Industry, July 9, 1960 - July 9, 2024.

According to Deputy Minister Ho An Phong, tourism and transportation are two fields that have a close and mutually supportive relationship. Tourism development cannot be separated from the development of the transportation system, including railway transportation - a safe and efficient means of transportation that brings many special experiences to tourists. The memorandum of understanding signed today not only marks the commitment to cooperation between the two sectors but also opens up many new opportunities to promote sustainable tourism development.

The Memorandum of Understanding will be the foundation for important cooperation contents between the two sides, from developing railway tourism products, improving service quality, to implementing promotional and communication campaigns, and especially applying technology and digital transformation. These contents are not only aimed at attracting more tourists but also enhancing the experience, helping tourists have interesting and memorable journeys when choosing railway means of transport.

“I appreciate the efforts and determination of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and Vietnam Railways Corporation in developing and implementing this cooperation plan. This is a clear demonstration of the effective coordination between the two sides, contributing to the overall development of the country,” Deputy Minister Ho An Phong emphasized.

Ceremony scene.

To make cooperation more effective in the coming time, Deputy Minister Ho An Phong suggested that the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism strengthen close coordination with Vietnam Railways Corporation to implement the agreed cooperation contents, ensuring practicality, efficiency and quality. Strengthen communication and promotion of the image of Vietnam tourism and railway services, in order to attract domestic and international tourists.

In addition, applying technology and digital transformation to improve service quality and tourist experience, creating maximum convenience and safety for tourists and people traveling by rail; Closely coordinating with localities and tourism businesses to build new, unique and attractive tourism products, and at the same time developing effective tourism stimulus programs; Regularly reviewing, evaluating and adjusting cooperation plans to suit the actual situation and needs of tourists and people.

Opening a new page in the cooperative relationship between the tourism and railway industries

At the ceremony, Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh affirmed that the signing ceremony is an extremely important event, opening a new page in the cooperative relationship between the tourism and railway sectors.

Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh spoke at the ceremony.

Over the years, the Vietnamese tourism industry has strived to achieve outstanding achievements and results, contributing to making Vietnam a favorite destination for international and domestic tourists.

In 2023, Vietnam tourism welcomed 12.6 million international visitors; in the first 6 months of 2024, it welcomed more than 8.8 million international visitors, an increase of 58.4% over the same period last year and 4.1% higher than the same period in 2019 (before the COVID-19 pandemic). Domestic tourists reached 66.5 million, an increase of 4% over the same period in 2023 and an increase of 46.5% over the same period in 2019. Total revenue from tourists in the first 6 months of 2024 is estimated at 436,500 billion VND.

“The above results are not only the result of the efforts of the tourism industry but also the coordination and support of all sectors and levels, especially the Transport sector, including Vietnam Railways, which not only plays a role as a safe and convenient means of transport but also contributes to creating unique and unforgettable travel experiences for tourists, combining to create an attractive tourism product for tourists - rail tourism”, Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh expressed.

Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh and General Director of Vietnam Railway Corporation Hoang Gia Khanh signed a memorandum of cooperation between the two units.

The Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism said that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation will lay a solid foundation for the strong development of railway tourism.

“I expect that, through this close cooperation, we will effectively exploit the great potential of the railway system, not only helping to increase the number of tourists but also improving service quality, creating new and attractive tourism products and services combined with the railway transport system along the length of the country.

“Traveling by rail not only brings new and interesting experiences to tourists but also contributes to diversifying tourism products. The railway system helps connect localities and destinations across the country, creating favorable conditions for tourists to explore the beauty of each region. This is an important factor in promoting local tourism development, connecting destinations and creating attractive and diverse inter-regional and inter-route tourism products,” said Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh.

Delegates take souvenir photos.

Director Nguyen Trung Khanh affirmed that the Vietnam National Tourism Administration will accompany and support Vietnam Railways Corporation in implementing cooperation contents, jointly developing promotion programs for destinations, products, and railway tourism services, enhancing digital transformation, building tourism stimulus programs, and many other specific activities to bring the best experience to tourists and business efficiency of the two tourism and railway sectors.

“We believe that, with the spirit of cooperation, creativity and high determination, the cooperation and coordination between the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and Vietnam Railways Corporation will be effectively implemented so that railway tourism will soon become one of the products and services that domestic and foreign tourists are interested in and choose first. This will not only contribute to promoting socio-economic development but also enrich the culture and heritage of the country,” Director Nguyen Trung Khanh expressed.

Chairman of the Board of Members of Vietnam Railway Corporation Dang Sy Manh spoke.

Speaking at the Ceremony, Mr. Dang Sy Manh, Chairman of the Board of Members of Vietnam Railways Corporation, said: With the advantage of owning a railway system of more than 3,000km long, passing through 34 provinces and cities, including many beautiful routes for tourists to admire the beauty of Vietnam through the train window, with many stations located at key national tourist destinations, Vietnam Railways Corporation wishes to turn the train journey of passengers into an experience, a part of the trip.

In recent times, the Corporation has continuously improved and innovated to enhance service quality and launched many new products to serve passengers. A series of new products aimed at serving tourists such as high-quality trains SE19-20; SE20-21; Hue - Da Nang heritage connection train; Da Lat - Trai Mat night train; Hanoi - Hai Phong food-tour train... have been well received by people and tourists. Along with that, the Corporation has organized cultural, culinary and artistic activities at stations to turn the stations into "destinations" for people and passengers. The year 2024 witnessed an explosive trend in choosing railways as a means of travel.

Delegates visited and experienced new services of Vietnam Railways Corporation.

In order for railway transport to contribute more to the country's tourism activities, Vietnam Railways Corporation will strengthen cooperation with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism according to the signed contents. Mr. Dang Sy Manh hopes that this cooperation will bring many benefits to domestic and foreign tourists, contributing to the tourism industry in achieving the goals approved by the Prime Minister in the Tourism System Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2045.

According to the signed cooperation agreement, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and Vietnam Railways Corporation will coordinate communication and promotion of Vietnam's tourist destinations and the image of Vietnam's railways through the websites and social networks of both parties. Support the organization of tourism fairs, trade and tourism seminars, famtrips, presstrips, events to welcome tourists at the beginning of the year, cultural, tourism and culinary festivals in localities...

Cooperate in digital transformation to improve service quality and experience of railway tourists. Integrate the digital transformation systems of both sides, creating favorable conditions for tourists to use railway services and utilities on tourism applications.

Cooperate in promoting and boosting railway tourism activities and developing stimulus programs to attract tourists by rail. Regularly exchange information, research and develop railway routes to serve tourism development; introduce new products and tourism publications on trains serving international and domestic tourists. Support training and human resource development. Cooperate in developing stimulus programs for railway tourism. Connect tourism service businesses to participate in cooperation programs to stimulate railway tourism, create new tourism products associated with railways, etc.

Source: https://toquoc.vn/dat-nen-mong-vung-chac-cho-su-phat-trien-manh-me-cua-du-lich-duong-sat-20240709222011314.htm