The world legendary golfer Greg Norman from Australia has been appointed as tourism ambassador of Vietnam for the 2018-2021 tenure.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien (R) presents the appointment decision to world legendary golfer Greg Norman. (Photo: thethaovanhoa.vn)

At a ceremony in Hanoi on October 31, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien presented the appointment decision to the golfer.

Greg Norman, whose full name is Gregory John Norman, was born in 1955 in Australia but now lives in Florida in the United States of America.

Known by the nick name of ‘The Great White Shark’, Norman has won over 90 championships in numerous world competitions.

He owns many global companies in designing golf courses and other fields. His company has designed several golf courses in Vietnam, most notably The Bluff Ho Tram Strip in Ba Ria - Vung Tau province.

As a tourism ambassador, Greg Norman has set up a concrete action plan, which will enhance the development of international golf tourism in Vietnam.

At the ceremony, Minister Nguyen Ngoc Thien emphasised that golf tourism is a relatively new form in Vietnam. However, with favourable geographic position and diverse natural resources, the country has great potential for the development of golf tourism.

Golf courses designed by Greg Norman are expected to contribute to helping Vietnam become a famous destination for golf tourism, added the Minister.

Prime Minister welcomes Tourism Ambassador of Vietnam

At the reception 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception in Hanoi on October 31 for Greg Norman, an Australian citizen who was appointed as Tourism Ambassador of Vietnam for the 2018-2021 tenure the same day. 

PM Phuc said Vietnam set the goal of achieving 30 percent growth in the number of tourists each year and turning tourism into a spearhead economic sector. 

He expressed his belief that Norman, with his experiences, will help increase foreign tourist arrivals in Vietnam and popularise images of the country to the world. 

The PM stressed that Vietnam boasts a stable socio-political environment which ensures security and safety for visitors, as well as many tourist attractions. In particular, the country is stepping up administrative reform, making it easier for foreign visitors to arrive and stay in Vietnam, he noted.

Expressing his impression on the development of Vietnam’s tourism sector, Norman pledged to offer suggestions to develop Vietnam’s tourism. 

Besides promoting Vietnam’s images and attractive tourist destinations, Norman said he would also work as a bridge to encourage tourism companies to invest in the Southeast Asian country.

Having evaluated Norman’s proposals, PM Phuc assigned ministries and agencies to work closely with Norman to successfully promote Vietnam’s tourism to the world.

The PM also asked Norman to assist Vietnam in marketing Vietnamese coffee and developing infrastructure and finance.

Nhan Dan/VNA