(VOVworld)- A programme with the theme of “Hanoi – the cradle of cultural heritage” has been held in Paris in an effort to introduce Hanoi’s and Vietnam’s cultural essence as well as recent tourism policies.

A performance at the tourism promotion event in Paris. (Source: VNA)

 
The event began with a screening of a video on the beauty of Vietnam and its people, followed by performances of Quan Ho folk singing and traditional musical instruments.

Speaking at the ceremony on September 20, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Ngoc Son highlighted the position and importance of the tourism sector in Vietnam’s economy. The sector attracted eight million tourists in 2015 and targets to welcome 11 million by 2020, making up seven percent of the country’s gross domestic product.

He said Vietnam’s efforts in recent years, including the 15-day visa exemption policy and the use of A350 plane on the Hanoi/HCM City-Paris route, made it more convenient for tourists to visit Vietnam.

Do Dinh Hong, Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, said culture tourism is typical products of the capital city’s tourism sector thanks to Hanoi’s rich history, 5,820 global, national and city-level relic sites.

Didier Cour, Director of France’s Terre d’aventure travel company, highly appreciated Vietnam’s visa exemption policy and praised the country as a wonderful culture and cuisine destination.

With advantages in natural landscapes, rich culture, local people’s hospitality and a diversity of ethnic groups, Vietnam promises to be a destination of the future in the global tourism picture.

During the event, Vietnamese and French travel companies discussed cooperation to boost the number of tourists to each other country.