Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện took to the stage of the afternoon Q&A session.— VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện took to the stage of the afternoon Q&A session.

Responding to questions over sustainable tourism development, Thiện expressed commitment of the tourism sector not harm environment and cultural heritage, adding: “We cannot sacrifice heritage in exchange for economic development.”

The ministry will focus on developing marine tourism and plan sea tourism destinations with the socio-economic development plan in order not to destroy environment and resources, he said.

Thiện also answered NA deputies’ questions on penalties on pagodas and temples receiving payments to compensate for sins committed in a past life which was reported at Ba Vàng Pagoda in Quảng Ninh Province; illegal overseas tours offered by Vietnamese companies; solutions to implement plans to make tourism the spearhead of the economic sector. —VNS