The event was jointly held by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute (JTTRI), as part of the activities marking the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Doan Van Viet emphasised that Japan is Vietnam's leading economic, trade, investment, tourism and labour partner, especially in culture and tourism.

Vietnam's tourism has recovered strongly after the COVID-19 pandemic, he said, adding that in the first nine months of this year, international visitors to Vietnam neared 9 million, with Japan being the fifth biggest source of holidaymakers to the Southeast Asian nation.

However, tourist overload is apparent at various hotspots in Vietnam, including Sa Pa, Hanoi, Hoi An, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc, which has affected the quality of tourism products and services, as well as the environment, security, and safety, Viet said.

The official suggested the participating experts raise practical initiatives and solutions for the development of the tourism industry in each country.

On this occasion, the Institute for Tourism Development Research under the VNAT and the JTTRI signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at sustainable tourism development.