Deputy Spokeswoman of the Foreign Ministry Phạm Thu Hằng. — VNA/VNS Photo Minh Đức

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Spokeswoman of the Foreign Ministry Phạm Thu Hằng on Thursday highlighted Việt Nam’s hope for continued close cooperation with China to boost tourism recovery and development in the two countries.

She made the remark at the ministry’s regular press conference in response to the media’s question about reaction to China’s inclusion of Việt Nam in the list of countries to which group tours will resume on a trial basis.

Hằng said tourism cooperation was one of the crucial cooperation fields between the two countries and also an important aspect of people-to-people exchange. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, China was the biggest source of tourists to Việt Nam, which was in turn also a leading partner of China in this regard.

Việt Nam had maintained close contact with China about promoting tourism cooperation, including the resumption of group tours, she noted, citing the latest information that the Chinese Government planned to include Việt Nam in the list of countries to which it would reopen group tours on a trial basis from March 15.

Việt Nam hoped that the two sides would continue cooperating closely to promote the recovery and healthy development of tourism in both countries, thus meeting their interests and tourism demand, she went on.

“We always support the opening of international air routes to and from localities in the region, thereby helping increase people-to-people exchange and foster mutually beneficial cooperation in economy, trade, tourism and other fields between Việt Nam and partners, including China,” the deputy spokeswoman emphasised. — VNS