Vietnam is expected to become a transit point for international visitors to North Korea, said Ha Van Sieu, head of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

According to Sieu, the North Korean tourism agency would come to Hanoi in March to discuss tourism co-operation. They will discuss the probability to make Vietnam another transit point to North Korea besides China and this will become more feasible if Vietnam has a direct flight route to North Korea.

A North Korean delegation will attend Vietnam International Travel Mart which will be held in Hanoi from March 27 to 30 to promote their country and tour packages.

Tourists can currently book tours to North Korean with Chinese companies. They can travel by car, train or fly from Beijing to Pyongyang. HCM City Department of Tourism said several local firms in HCM City had organised tours to North Korea but they also had to co-operate with Chinese companies.

If Vietnam becomes a transit point to North Korea then local firms and authorities can be more independent and pro-active in organisation and management. The department also said that they were ready and prepared if the number of international tourists coming to Vietnam to visit North Korea increased.

Lao Dong/Dtinews