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| Deputy minister of the ministry Nguyen Minh Hong speaks at a press conference held in Ha Noi on November 13.— Photo vietnamnet.vn |
HA NOI — The northwestern province of Dien Bien will host a festival to strengthen the friendship between Viet Nam and Laos on December 4 and 5, leaders from the Ministry of Information & Communications announced at a press conference held in Ha Noi on November 13.
The event, the first of its kind, is a joint effort between the ministry and the provincial authorities, said Doan Cong Huynh, head of the organising board and director of the ministry’s Authority of Foreign Information Service.
According to Nguyen Minh Hong, deputy minister of the ministry, the event aims to promote the image of Viet Nam, with advances in renovation, development, and strong international integration to Laotian friends as well as strengthen the solidarity, friendship and special and comprehensive co-operation between Viet Nam and Laos.
The event also celebrates the 56th anniversary of the two country’s diplomatic ties (1962-2018), as well as the 41st anniversary of the Friendship & Co-operation Treaty between the two countries (1977-2018).
“Organised in Dien Bien City, the event includes a series of art shows, exhibitions, and trade fairs,” Hong said. “It will offer a chance for domestic and Laotian enterprises to exchange with those based in Dien Bien.”
A photo exhibition on the Viet Nam – Laos relationship will be a highlight, together with a fair introducing tourism, culture, local delicacies, and an art exchange. Workshops on promoting investment, trade and tourism for Dien Bien Province will gather representatives from the National Authority of Tourism (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism), Viet Nam Trade Promotion Agency (Ministry of Industry and Trade), enterprises with experience in developing economies in mountainous regions and concerned agencies in Dien Bien Province.
“The event will help enhance international relationships in border provinces, in order to ensure national sovereignty, independence and peace in the region and enhance Viet Nam’s prestige in the region and the world,” Hong stressed.
Nguyen Hung Cuong, deputy director of Dien Bien Province’s Information & Communications Department told Viet Nam News that the organising board intends to invite hundreds of leaders and representatives from some provinces and enterprises in Laos.
The event expects to receive thousands of tourists as well.
Last year, the province received 600,000 tourists, a 25 per cent increase against 2016.
Total income from tourism last year accounted for VND950 billion (US$40.680 million), a 33.8 per cent increase against the previous year.
The province intends to develop tourism into a key economic sector, according to Cuong. — VNS
OVietnam