HÀ NỘI — The country’s first multi-platform interactive TV channel on culture and tourism has just been launched by The Voice of Vietnam (VOV) and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

"Vietnam Journey aims to implement the government’s Decree No. 08 on developing tourism into a leading economic sector and Decree No. 103 on building specialised channels to promote the country’s culture and tourism," said Nguyễn Thế Kỷ, director of VOV.

The channel will be broadcast nonstop in HD on VTV Cab, SCTV, VTC, Mobi TV, FPT, My TV and Next Media in 63 provinces and cities throughout the country.

With interactive technology, audiences can directly participate in the programmes by interacting with the MCs and other viewers through their smartphones or smart TVs.

The channel will introduce the country’s natural beauty and Vietnamese culture through shows like I travel, Following the Conical Hat and On every Kilometre.

It also operates online via https://truyenhinhdulich.vn.

The app for Vietnam Journey, available on IOS and Android, allows users to interact directly with the programmes. For example, they can connect directly to reporters who are reporting on a certain issue by clicking the “video call” function.

The app also provides information on destinations in Việt Nam, travel guides, hotel reservations, air ticket bookings and photo sharing. At each destination, visitors can be updated on the traffic, weather, must-try cuisine and local tourism products.

The channel will be available in English, Russian, Japanese and Korean in the near future.

The number of foreign tourists to Việt Nam in the first eleven months of 2018 was estimated at 14.1 million, a 21.3 per cent year-on-year increase, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. The number of domestic visitors in the same period was 73.9 million. — VNS