JAKARTA — The Việt Nam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) held a roadshow in Jakarta to promote the country’s image and introduce Vietnamese tourism products to Indonesians to attract more visitors. 

According to VNAT deputy head Hà Văn Siêu, Việt Nam and Indonesia are two large economies of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), but bilateral tourism co-operation is below potential. 

Themed “Graceful Vietnam,” the roadshow on Monday provided Indonesia’s travel agencies with information about Việt Nam’s tourism, including attractive destinations such as Phong Nha Kẻ Bàng Cave and Sơn Đoòng Cave in central Quảng Bình Province, Tràng An Scenic Landscape Complex -- a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage Site -- in northern Ninh Bình Province, Sa Pa Town in Lào Cai Province and Bản Giốc waterfall in Cao Bằng Province in the north. 

The event also highlighted Việt Nam’s heritage recognised by UNESCO, including 10 tangible heritages and 10 intangible heritages, as well as the country’s diverse cuisine. 

Magdalena Atmadja, marketing director of the Platinum Travel Agency, said her company often organises tours to Hà Nội and HCM City. 

The company will begin tours to other destinations in Việt Nam such as Hạ Long Bay, Phong Nha Kẻ Bàng Cave and Ninh Bình Province, she added. 

Meanwhile, Akhmad Dani, director of Indonesian tourism company Goodway, said the lack of guides who speak Indonesian and limited Halal food options for Muslims make it difficult to organise tours in Việt Nam.

The number of Indonesian tourists to Việt Nam is expected to increase significantly because of close cooperation between the two countries and attractive tourism products. In addition, the friendly nature of the Vietnamese, policies on ensuring security for tourists, visa exemptions for citizens of ASEAN and other key markets, and support to Indonesian travel agents and media agencies will attract more foreign tourists to Việt Nam, including Indonesian visitors.

The roadshow was attended by the Vietnamese Embassy in Indonesia, the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism, the Indonesian Tourism Association, several airlines and nearly 150 leading travel agents from the two countries.

After Indonesia, the “Graceful Vietnam” roadshow will be held in Malaysia and Thailand. — VNS