Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Hoang Anh Tuan has highlighted tourism as a potential and mutually beneficial field for both Vietnam and Indonesia, especially given the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Hoang Anh Tuan (L) talks with Indonesian Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya.

At a meeting with Indonesian Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya on March 18, the ambassador said he will do his utmost to enhance tourism cooperation between the two countries, as well as share experience in building and developing tourism services.

The Indonesian Minister said the establishment of a bilateral strategic partnership has enabled the two countries to further cooperation across economics, trade, investment, agriculture, education and culture.

He hailed the achievements that the two countries have gained in tourism thanks to their regular delegation exchanges, experience-sharing, and promotion of tourism products and services.

With favourable geography and cultural similarities, Vietnam and Indonesia should work together to develop new tourism services, he said, adding that he will work with Indonesian agencies to speed up the opening of a direct air route between Hanoi and Jakarta.

Vietnam and Indonesia signed a Memorandum of Understanding on tourism collaboration in 2006 and launched a number of programmes for tourist agencies to seek cooperation opportunities.

The number of tourists from Vietnam to Indonesia and vice versa has been increasing, especially as Vietnam Airlines opened a direct flight between Ho Chi Minh City and Jakarta in 2012.

In 2015, nearly 63,000 Indonesian visitors arrived in Vietnam.

VNA