The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) held a ceremony to mark the 55 th founding anniversary of the sector in Ho Chi Minh City on July 7 as part of activities to raise public awareness of the role of tourism in the country’s socio-economic development.

The event also helped encourage responsibility and creativity among tourism officials to contribute to developing the sector sustainably.

The VNAT also launched a promotional campaign themed “Vietnamese people travel around Vietnam”. In addition, a raft of programmes were held on the occasion, including the 2014 Vietnam tourism award, a competition on sustainable development and a dialogue on integration measures to develop Vietnam.

Tourists are pictured on Cu Lao Cham (Cham Island) off the central province of Quang Nam. (Photo: VNAT)

After the ceremony, over 200 students from the Saigon College of Art, Culture and Tourism participated in a bicycle parade, calling for tourism environment protection.

VNF/VNA