Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung worked with Gia Lai province on the organization of the National Tourism Year 2026.

Minister Nguyen Van Hung chaired a working session with Gia Lai province on the implementation and organization of the National Tourism Year 2026.

In his opening remarks at the meeting, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung emphasized that the National Tourism Year is not just a brand of one locality, but a common brand of national tourism. Therefore, regardless of which province or city it is held in, the common goal remains to contribute to the strong development of the tourism industry, truly making it a key economic sector.

Highly appreciating Gia Lai province's proactive coordination with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in implementing tasks urgently and demonstrating serious and thorough preparation, the Minister requested that the organization of the National Tourism Year in Gia Lai be carried out on a higher scale, with distinctive features and creativity.

Minister Nguyen Van Hung delivered the opening remarks at the meeting.

In that spirit, the Minister requested that the units focus on reviewing several key areas and the coordination between the Ministry and localities. Particular attention should be paid to reviewing and finalizing the script for the Opening Ceremony – an event identified as a crucial highlight, serving both as a media event and as the opening event for the National Tourism Year activities in Gia Lai.

At the meeting, the Director of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, Nguyen Trung Khanh, and the Director of the Gia Lai Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Do Thi Dieu Hanh, reported on the coordination efforts in preparing for the 2026 National Tourism Year, with the opening ceremony as the highlight.

According to the plan, the opening ceremony of the 2026 National Tourism Year is scheduled to take place at 8:10 PM on March 28th, with an elaborately staged artistic program combining music, lighting, and artistic performances, recreating a picture of the interplay between the majestic Central Highlands and the rich coastal region of Central Vietnam.

Nguyen Trung Khanh, Director General of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, delivered a speech.

According to the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee, the National Tourism Year 2026 is of particular importance as tourism has been identified as one of the five economic pillars of the province for the period 2026–2030. The goal is for Gia Lai to welcome 18.5 million tourists annually by 2030, including more than 1 million international visitors.

Ms. Do Thi Dieu Hanh, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Gia Lai province, delivered a speech.

Through the series of events of the National Tourism Year, Gia Lai hopes to strongly promote its image as a destination, attract investment, expand its tourist market, and gradually build the locality into a major tourism center of the region, a place where the beauty of the Central Highlands and the blue sea of ​​Central Vietnam converge.

At the meeting, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong, Vice Chairman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich, and representatives of various units spoke and contributed ideas to the implementation of the 2026 National Tourism Year.

Concluding the meeting, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung emphasized that the National Tourism Year is an important event for the culture, sports and tourism sector, contributing to the goal of developing tourism into a key economic sector of the country.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ho An Phong delivered a speech.

Minister Nguyen Van Hung requested that the organization of the National Tourism Year be thoroughly prepared, ensuring practical and effective content.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Lich, Vice Chairwoman of the Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee, delivered a speech.

Regarding the theme of the National Tourism Year, the Minister suggested that localities continue to clarify its meaning, content, and message, ensuring that it reflects the development vision, connects cultural potentials, and leverages heritage values ​​to create distinctive and attractive tourism products.

Regarding the implementation plan, the Minister highly appreciated the localities' issuance of the plan for organizing the National Tourism Year, while noting that this is a framework plan. During implementation, it is necessary to clearly define priorities and specific tasks. Activities of the National Tourism Year should be implemented along key axes, with the opening ceremony playing a focal point, kicking off the series of events for the tourism year.

Minister Nguyen Van Hung delivered the concluding remarks at the meeting.

Furthermore, state management activities related to tourism governance should be organized through conferences, forums, and cooperation agreements, ensuring their substance and alignment with the industry's development needs.

The Minister also proposed strengthening linkages with major tourism businesses to promote market connections, expand tourist sources, and enhance cooperation effectiveness.

Regarding tourism product development, Minister Nguyen Van Hung emphasized the need to focus on upgrading and revitalizing Gia Lai's distinctive tourism product groups such as ecotourism, island and beach tourism, community tourism, golf tourism, and sports tourism, with a focus on leveraging natural resources, cultural heritage, and local identity.

Representatives from various units spoke at the meeting.

Regarding the organization of activities, the Minister suggested selecting events of appropriate scale, ensuring quality, and avoiding a scattered approach. Units under the Ministry need to coordinate closely with localities during implementation, while also reviewing assigned tasks to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.

Regarding the opening ceremony of the National Tourism Year, the Minister requested that preparations for content, participants, and program script be completed soon. The ceremonial part should be concise and solemn, while the celebratory part should focus on conveying the message of the tourism year through artistic programs and cultural experiences.

Minister Nguyen Van Hung also emphasized the need to prioritize communication and promote publicity before, during, and after the events of the National Tourism Year. At the same time, it is requested that relevant units continue to coordinate closely and implement tasks with a proactive, creative, and effective spirit, thereby contributing to promoting tourism development, improving the lives of the people, and preserving the cultural values ​​of the locality.