A Vietnamese delegation led by Vietnamese ambassador to Russia Pham Xuan Son paid a working visit to Ekaterinburg, Russia from October 5-9 to promote tourism in Vietnam, seek potential for cooperation and work on economic diplomacy.

The visit is part of activities to promote tourism in ASEAN nations and also to mark the 15th anniversary of the dialogue partnership between Russia and ASEAN (1996-2011).

The Vietnamese delegation attended a meeting to advertise ASEAN tourism and the opening of the Expotravel 2011 international tourism fair.

At the ASEAN tourism meeting, Ambassador Pham Xuan Son emphasized that the traditional relationship between Vietnam and Russia, particularly with Sverdlovsk province, creates favourable conditions for promoting tourism in both nations. Last year, the number of Russian visitors to Vietnam reached nearly 83,000 and is likely to reach 120,000 this year. Mr Son affirmed that Vietnam is an ideal destination for Russian visitors and all international tourists.

At the opening of Expotravel 2011, Director of the Ami-tour company, Nguyen Quoc Viet, said his company was participating in the international tourism fair for the first time. He emphasized the need to cooperate with Russian travel agencies to bring tourists from Russia to Vietnam. Ekaterinburg is an ideal city to open an air route to Vietnam and this November the first direct air route from Ekaterinburg to Nha Trang will be inaugurated.

Earlier on October 6, the Vietnamese delegation held a working session with the mayor of Sverdlovsk, representatives from the business community in the province and Ekaterinburg's municipal authorities.

Leaders of Sverdlovsk and Ekaterinburg highlighted Vietnam-Russia relations and the role of the Vietnamese community in the city. They expressed their hopes that Vietnam will act as a bridge to strengthen cooperation between Russia and ASEAN countries. (Source: VOV)