Deputy Minister Ho An Phong visited and worked with the Vietnamese Embassy in Saudi Arabia

During his working trip to attend the 26th General Assembly of the United Nations Tourism Organization (UN Tourism) in Saudi Arabia, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong led a delegation to visit and work with the Vietnamese Embassy in Saudi Arabia. Also attending was Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Phan Linh Chi.

Overview of the working session

At the meeting, Ambassador Hoang Huu Anh emphasized that the selection of Saudi Arabia as the host country of the 26th UN General Assembly by UN Tourism shows the increasingly affirmed position of Saudi Arabia in the field of global tourism . This is also an important opportunity for Vietnam to expand cooperation with the Middle East, a potential market that is growing strongly in the field of tourism and investment.

The Ambassador added that the relationship between Vietnam and Saudi Arabia is developing positively, with comprehensive cooperation in many fields. In particular, culture and tourism are identified as important pillars contributing to enhancing understanding and connection between the people of the two countries. The Ambassador also informed that in recent times, many cultural and artistic exchange activities between the two countries have been effectively implemented, such as Vietnam Day in Saudi Arabia and the Vietnam Contemporary Art Exhibition in 2025.

Speaking at the meeting, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong highly appreciated the initiative and flexibility of the Vietnamese Embassy in Saudi Arabia in cultural diplomacy, contributing to promoting the image of the country, people and tourism of Vietnam. The Deputy Minister affirmed that UN Tourism's selection of Saudi Arabia as the venue for this General Assembly not only demonstrates the growing role of the Middle Eastern country on the world tourism map, but also opens up new cooperation opportunities for member countries, including Vietnam.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that Vietnam is one of the active and responsible countries in UN Tourism activities, fully participating in conferences and contributing many initiatives in the field of sustainable tourism. Vietnam currently has 5 tourist villages recognized by UN Tourism as the best tourist villages in the world , including: Thai Hai (Thai Nguyen), Tan Hoa (Quang Tri), Tra Que (Da Nang), Quynh Son (Lang Son) and Lo Lo Chai (Tuyen Quang).

Regarding the domestic situation, Deputy Minister Ho An Phong said that in 2024, Vietnam will welcome about 17.6 million international visitors, continuing to maintain impressive growth momentum. In 2025, the Government aims to attract 22-23 million international visitors. According to a report by UN Tourism, in the first 6 months of 2025, Vietnam is among the two countries with the highest tourism growth rate in the world, reaching 21%.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism is focusing on implementing policies to develop cultural industries, identifying 12 key industries to promote the creative economy, in which tourism is considered a spearhead industry based on culture, people and natural resources.

Deputy Minister Ho An Phong and the delegation took a souvenir photo with the Vietnamese Embassy in Saudi Arabia.

At the meeting, the Vietnamese Embassy in Saudi Arabia proposed that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism support and guide Vietnamese travel businesses to build tourism products suitable for the Middle East market in general and Saudi Arabia in particular, and encourage businesses of the two countries to cooperate in opening tours.

Based on the Embassy's proposal, Deputy Minister Ho An Phong assigned the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to preside over the organization of a roadshow to promote Vietnamese tourism in Saudi Arabia in 2026, in coordination with airlines and travel agencies of the two countries to enhance connectivity, promote trade and sign tourism cooperation agreements.

The Deputy Minister also noted that, in addition to promoting economic and tourism cooperation, citizen protection is a particularly important issue in the Middle East region, and suggested that the Embassy continue to closely coordinate with domestic authorities to ensure the rights and safety of Vietnamese citizens living, working and traveling in Saudi Arabia.

Ambassador Hoang Huu Anh presents a souvenir to Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong

Ambassador Hoang Huu Anh expressed his thanks to Deputy Minister Ho An Phong and the delegation for their visit and work; and highly agreed with the above cooperation orientations. The Ambassador said that the Embassy will closely coordinate with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and the Vietnam Trade Office in Saudi Arabia to organize a roadshow in 2026, combining with bringing a Vietnamese art troupe to perform, contributing to promoting the image of the country, people and culture of Vietnam to friends in the Middle East region.

Vietnam National Administration of Tourism

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/thu-truong-ho-an-phong-tham-va-lam-viec-voi-dai-su-quan-viet-nam-tai-a-rap-xe-ut-20251113082535564.htm