Full text: Opening speech of Minister Nguyen Van Hung at the opening ceremony of National Tourism Year

Dear Comrade Tran Cam Tu, Politburo member, Permanent member of the Central Party Secretariat,

Dear Comrade Mai Van Chinh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister,

Dear Comrade Vu Hong Thanh, Member of the Party Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly,

Dear comrades of the Party Central Committee, leaders of central departments, ministries, branches, provinces/cities, leaders and former leaders of Hue city,

Dear delegates, distinguished guests, all people and tourists!

As we know, the National Tourism Year is held annually in rotation among provinces and cities across the country. Up to now, after 20 successful events, it has contributed significantly to promoting domestic tourism development, attracting a large number of international tourists, promoting the image of Vietnam as " safe, friendly, peaceful, hospitable, integrated and developed " to the world.

If in 2024 the theme is "Glory of Dien Bien Phu - Endless Experience", in 2025, the National Tourism Year returns to Hue for the second time, at a time when the Party Committee, government and people of all ethnic groups here are honored and proud when Thua Thien Hue province officially becomes a city directly under the Central Government from January 1, 2025, making efforts with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to organize the Opening Ceremony of the National Tourism Year 2025 with the theme " Hue - Ancient Capital, New Opportunities ".

At this important ceremony, the Steering Committee for the National Tourism Year and Hue City are extremely excited and honored to welcome the leaders of the Party and State, representatives of departments, ministries, branches, localities, delegates, distinguished guests, the business community and the people to attend, cheer, encourage and spread the value of tourism. I would like to wish the leaders, delegates, all the people and tourists good health, happiness and success.

Dear Leaders, delegates, distinguished guests and compatriots,

In the process of building and developing the country, Hue city has always played an important role and position; in which, with its location in the middle of the country, Hue city plays a role in connecting the three regions of North - Central - South; is a large urban area, the capital of Dang Trong, a land of talented people. Hue city has a rich history and culture formed and developed through the flow of nearly 720 years of Thuan Hoa - Phu Xuan - Hue; contains the quintessence, symbolic value of intelligence and civilization of the Vietnamese people with 8 heritages recognized by UNESCO; including "Hue Royal Court Music", which has resounded on the world cultural map, contributing to affirming the eternal value of traditional Vietnamese art.

From the deep Hue folk songs, to traditional handicrafts such as Sinh village paintings, Phu Cam conical hats, embroidery, pottery, from the rustic countryside markets, to the quintessence of Hue royal cuisine... have created a colorful cultural picture, both elegant and graceful, imbued with the soul of the Vietnamese countryside, so that every visitor when setting foot here, can feel the harmonious blend between the past and the present, between people and natural scenery.

The National Tourism Year 2025 took place with many exciting activities in Hue city and many provinces/cities across the country, in the direction of " combining strength, multiplying advantages, and unleashing success ", in which it aimed to organize practical, widespread events such as cultural - tourism weeks, culinary festivals, art activities " diverse in form - unique in content ", " transforming the values of cultural assets and cultural industries into resources and driving forces for tourism development ", with a new spirit, new enthusiasm, deeply echoing the cultural traditions and thousands of years of civilization of the nation, deeply expressing the will and aspiration for strong and prosperous development of the nation.

Dear Leaders, distinguished guests and fellow countrymen,

In the first two months of 2025, Vietnam Tourism welcomed nearly 4 million international visitors, an increase of 30% over the same period in 2024, serving 26.5 million domestic visitors, with tourism revenue estimated at 160 trillion VND. This is a positive signal, affirming Vietnam's attractiveness on the world tourism map.

In order for the entire industry to achieve the goal of welcoming 22-23 million international visitors and serving 120-130 million domestic tourists in 2025, making Vietnam an attractive destination for international cultural, sports and tourism exchanges, contributing to the successful implementation of the Socio-Economic Development Plan with a growth target of 8% or more, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will proactively coordinate regularly and closely with ministries, branches, Hue city and provinces/cities, and the business community: (1) Early formation of a smart tourism ecosystem associated with comprehensive digital transformation; strengthen connectivity, support and " take the tourist experience as the center "; (2) Launch the emulation movement " Professional service, attentive service, civilized behavior, clean green environment ", bringing " Vietnam tourism smile "; (3) Develop diverse and unique tourism products and services based on distinct potentials, associated with promoting heritage values and national cultural identity in line with new trends: high-end resort tourism, health care tourism, agricultural tourism and regional specialty products, culinary tourism; (4) Complete the transport infrastructure connecting destinations; (5) Focus on promoting key campaigns, making the most of the power of communication, mobilizing the cooperation of diplomatic missions in countries, communicating through social networks; (6) Promote bilateral tourism cooperation, cooperation through international organizations in the tourism sector.

On this occasion, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism respectfully requests localities, businesses, investors and all people to promote creativity, unleash productivity, form good values, and have the ability to strongly connect economic, political, cultural, social and scientific pillars to implement the directions of the Party, State and Government leaders, and effectively implement Resolution No. 08-NQ/TW on developing tourism into a spearhead economic sector.

Once again, on behalf of the leaders of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, I would like to sincerely thank and wish the Standing Member of the Secretariat, the leaders of the Party and State, and all distinguished guests and people good health, happiness and success.

Thank you very much./.