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Popularizing national images through culture, sports and tourism

VGP – The eventful year of 2009 has been marked by cultural, sport and tourist activities, which created fine impressions for Vietnamese people and international friends, said a high-ranking official.

December 28, 2009 8:30 PM GMT+7

The sector of culture, sports and tourism has acquired new achievements in popularizing Việt Nam’s images to foreign friends in 2009  
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoàng Tuấn Anh made the statement on December 28, in the central city of Đà Nẵng at the closing meeting on the ministry’s performance in 2009 and plans in 2010. 

In 2009, for the first time, the images of the Vietnamese country and people were introduced to much more international friends through the first biggest advertisement programs on BBC World, CNN and taxis in London, UK. These programs have helped to bring about a revenue of VND 70 trillion for the sector, up 10% against 2008

Due to the global economic crisis, the number of foreign visitors stood at 3.8 million, down 11.5% against the previous year. However, the number of domestic tourists surged by 19%.
It is necessary to combine cultural values with tourism services, says Deputy PM Nguyễn Thiện Nhân at the meeting on the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s performance, central city of Đà Nẵng, December 28, 2009 – Photo: VGP/Từ Lương 

Addressing the meeting, Deputy PM Nguyễn Thiện Nhân noted the necessity to realize the Cultural Development Strategy until 2020. 

Regarding sports, the Deputy PM suggested the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism make every effort to keep the national status as one of the two leading countries in Southeastern Asia, striving to conquer new heights at continental and world levels. 

The Ministry should pour more investment in diversifying and bettering tourism services in order to receive about 4.2 millions of international tourists and 28 million domestic ones, earn US $4-4.5 billion, and contribute 5.3% to the country’s GDP in 2010.

Việt Nam’s top-ten events in culture, sports and tourism in 2009

1. The NA promulgated three Laws on amending and supplementing the Laws on Cultural Heritages, on Intellectual Property, and on Cinema. The PM issued Decision 581/QĐ-TTg approving the Cultural Development Strategy to 2020 and Decision 1272/QĐ-TTg on listing 10 special national cultural and historical sites (stage 1).

2. Quan họ Bắc Ninh singing (Bắc Ninh folk love duets) recognized by the United Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Mankind. Ca Trù (ceremonial songs) named in the list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding. UNESCO issued Resolution on the Millennium of Thăng Long-Hà Nội.

3. Activities in the Year of Cultural Diplomacy"; Việt Nam Weeks in Russia, UK, Laos, South Africa, Venezuela, and Brazil; cultural and art activities in China, Spain, Sweden, Italy; “Meet Việt Nam” in San Francisco (US); the Việt Nam Traditional Orchestra founded and performed in Laos.

4. Grand celebrations organized nationwide, including the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Hồ Chí Minh Trail. 55th anniversary of the Điện Biên Phủ Victory, and the Quảng Nam Culture-Tourism Week toward the 1000th anniversary of Thăng Long-Hà Nội.

5. The PM agreed to adopt April 19 as the Culture Day of Việt Nam Ethnic Groups. International Gongs Festival 2009 held in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai; 1st Việt Nam Rice Festival in the Mekong Delta province of Hậu Giang; and the Mekong-Japan Culture and Tourism Days in the Mekong Delta city of Cần Thơ.

6. Movie "Don’t Burn" won a special prize at the International Film Festival Fukuoka, Japan and Việt Nam pocketed 4 out of 7 first-grade prizes at the International Music Contest in Jakarta, Indonesia.

7. Việt Nam hosted the 3rd Asian Indoor Games (AI Games 3) and occupied the 2nd position.

8. Vietnamese athletes pocketed 215 medals with 83 gold medals and ranked the second at the 25th Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games).

9. ASEAN Tourism Forum 2009 (ATF-09)

10. Hạ Long Bay listed in the final round of voting for 7 World Natural Wonders; Lăng Cô Bay (in Thừa Thiên-Huế) recognized as a world beautiful bay.

 By Khánh Phương