With his extensive relationships in Europe, it is expected that Dr. Dam Duy Long (left cover) will make practical contributions to Hue tourism.

Dr. Dam Duy Long said: Europe - especially France, used to be considered a key market for Hue tourism in the past. However, this market has somewhat stagnated and declined sharply in recent years due to many reasons, both objective and subjective. The establishment of a Hue tourism promotion representative in Europe before Hue opened the National Tourism Year 2025 and I was honored to be the chosen one, stemmed from many important premises, promising many interesting breakthroughs, opening up a potential European market in the near future.

Congratulations, Doctor, on being selected as Hue tourism promotion representative in Europe. Could you tell us why you were chosen?

If we talk about the reason for being chosen, the first thing to mention is my “fate” with Hue. My enthusiastic youth is closely linked to Hue. As a student of Tourism Business Administration, I was then retained at the school to work, completing my master’s and doctoral degrees in the French Republic thanks to full scholarships.

During my studies and work in Hue, I always considered proposing ideas to the provincial leaders (now Hue City) as my duty and mission. Many ideas became reality, contributing to changes in the industry, as well as the socio-economic development of the locality. And, perhaps a rather important factor is that I established a company in France, allowing me to travel conveniently between France and Vietnam... Those are the reasons why the city leaders trusted and chose me for an important position, promoting the European tourist market to Hue.

Can you elaborate on the main job duties in your new position?

“Tourism promotion representative” or “Tourism ambassador” is actually just a title. The tasks assigned to me by the city are quite diverse, related to tourism, culture and investment promotion. According to the signed content, the Hue tourism promotion representative in Europe will be responsible for providing information, connecting and consulting the Department of Tourism to build and implement tourism promotion programs and events to exploit the tourist market in Europe - especially the French market and vice versa.

Tourists from Europe arrive at Chan May port to visit the ancient capital of Hue

I will support Hue City delegations, businesses, associations, related units... to organize tourism promotion activities in the European market and vice versa. At the same time, search, collect statistics and connect relevant parties to contribute to the repatriation of Hue's cultural and historical resources currently in Europe. I will also use information provided by the Department of Tourism, including: Policies, relevant legal regulations, tourism event information; famous tourist destinations and reputable tourism services in Hue to serve the task of tourism promotion. Along with that, advise and coordinate in the production of publications, promotional items, and promotion of Hue tourism in Europe and vice versa based on the tastes and needs of the tourist market.

Another equally important content is to call on European partners to invest in tourism products in the list that Hue city is calling for investment in; research and propose to include in the list investment projects that European tourists have real needs to diversify local tourism products.

This can be considered a "push" to create a big boost for the National Tourism Year - Hue 2025, thereby exploiting the abundant European market more effectively right at the source. Have you started working yet?

With the huge amount of work above, I have deployed the tasks right from the first quarter of 2025. I will be the focal point to coordinate the organization of the Vietnam Culture and Tourism Week in Europe, with Hue culture as the center, an important highlight of the Hue National Tourism Year 2025.

It is expected that the Vietnam Culture and Tourism Week in Europe will take place in early May 2025, passing through 4 countries under the chairmanship of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. The week will have many special promotional activities, such as: The 3rd France Vietnam Friendship Cup golf tournament to celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam - France relations; Vietnamese music, fashion and cuisine festivals; Vietnam tourism roadshow in 4 countries... Along with that, there will be many signing activities between travel, tourism and golf course partners of Vietnam and partners of other countries during the Vietnam Culture and Tourism Week in Europe.

What do you expect from Hue tourism industry in the year of National Tourism Year 2025?

In 2025, we expect the success of the National Tourism Year to be very great. All categories of activities and events have been specifically planned from now until the closing day of the National Tourism Year in December 2025. Nearly 50 special events throughout the year hosted by the city, along with events hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, will bring Hue a year-round festive color, commensurate with the spirit and stature of a centrally-run city. The special activities of Vietnam Week in Europe along with the launch of the direct flight from Milan to Hanoi on July 1, 2025, it is expected that Vietnam in general and Hue in particular will explode with European visitors within the framework of the Hue National Tourism Year 2025 and the coming years.

The appointment of a representative for tourism promotion in Europe is an important step forward for Hue tourism in understanding the needs and behaviors of the market; at the same time, having timely and targeted promotion activities to restore this traditional and key market with great expectations. With a representative for tourism promotion in Europe, Hue City under the Central Government expects to create strong breakthroughs for this market, contributing to a successful Hue National Tourism Year 2025, creating momentum for the rapid and sustainable development of the city's tourism in the future.

Thank you for the chat!

Thai Binh (Implementation)