(VNF) - On April 22nd, the New Zealand Embassy in Vietnam launched the 2016 installation of the “New Zealand - New Horizon” competition at Hanoi-based FPT University.

Coming on the eve of the commencement of direct flights by Air New Zealand between Auckland and Ho Chi Minh city in June, the competition calls for entrants to design a poster and slogan promoting New Zealand tourism in Vietnam.

Tourism has recently become one of New Zealand’s most important industries. The national tourism marketing campaign “100% Pure New Zealand” and tourism marketing associated with the filming of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogies in New Zealand have made it a famous destination for tourists from around the world. Over 30,000 New Zealanders travel to Vietnam each year but the number of Vietnamese traveling in the other direction remains modest.

“Tourism links are a really important strand in the web of connections between Vietnam and New Zealand. It is a significant part of the two economies but from the perspective of our broader bilateral relationship, tourism has many other important spin offs, such as increasing cultural awareness and understanding, and education links. Air New Zealand’s direct service between Auckland and Ho Chi Minh city commencing in June is a really huge opportunity”, explained New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam, Haike Manning.

The competition is an opportunity for the creative Vietnamese public to share their ideas about New Zealand and how it could be portrayed to Vietnamese tourists. There are some great prizes up for grabs including a return trip for two to New Zealand.

It is being run through https://www.facebook.com/nzembassyvietnam./.

VNF