Published:  15:48 Tuesday - March 28, 2017

The Vietnamese and US travel societies are expected to sign an agreement in Hanoi on April 7 to boost tourism cooperation.

Vu The Binh, chairman of the Vietnam Society of Travel Agents (VISTA), said it had taken the two sides a couple of years to make preparations for the signing of this cooperation deal.

A vice president of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) and representatives of 15 travel agencies will come to Hanoi next month during the Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) slated for April 6 to 9. 

They are expected to spend two weeks exploring some tourist destinations which will then be introduced to American travelers.

Binh told the Daily last weekend that the cooperation could help increase tourists to the two countries.

Data of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism shows more than 552,000 Americans visited Vietnam last year, up 12.5% ​​against the previous year and accounting for over 5% of all international arrivals to Vietnam.

VITM Hanoi 2017 is being organized by VISTA. Around 500 domestic and foreign tourism and transportation firms have registered to participate in the event. More than 100,000 promotional air tickets and about 15,000 discount tours will be up for grabs.

SGT