(TITC) - On 23rd September (local time), the working delegation of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) led by MOCST’s Deputy Minister Ho An Phong had a meeting with the representative of Google in Mountain View, California, USA.

This is a sideline activity of Vietnam Tourism and Cinema Promotion Programme in San Francisco and Los Angeles, California, USA, under the theme “Vietnam - The new destination of World Cinema”.

The working delegation of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) led by MOCST’s Deputy Minister Ho An Phong had a meeting with the representative of Google in the USA

Numerous supports for Vietnam’s tourism industry

At the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Chairman of Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) praised the work Google have done recently. In particularly, Google has supported MOCST in introducing the image of the Vietnamese country, people and culture to the public around the world through a number of projects, including "Google Arts & Culture: Wonders of Vietnam" on Google Arts & Culture in January 2021. 35 virtual exhibitions displayed over 1,300 photos related to famous tourist attractions, heritages, natural landscapes, culture and cuisine of Vietnam. These exhibitions have honoured the natural landscapes, tangible and intangible heritage elements recognized by UNESCO of Quang Binh, Ninh Binh, Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang and Quang Nam. Recently, the project “Vibrant Vietnam” honoured a vibrant, attractive and colourful Vietnam, with a mosaic of rich culture, people and biodiversity from North to South.

MOCST’s Deputy Minister Ho An Phong highly appreciates and suggested Google to keep up their support toward the Vietnam culture and tourism promotion works

Remarkably, in the field of tourism, Google coordinated with the Tourism Information Technology Center (Vietnam National Authority of Tourism) to implement the media campaign on Youtube “Live fully in Vietnam!”. The project drew in many content creators and influencers at that time and hit million views as well as attention from public and press. In 2022, the media campaign “Live fully in Vietnam!” achieved prestigious awards at the national level, said VNAT's Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh.

In addition, Google has also implemented a training programme to improve capacity and digital skills for small and medium-sized enterprises in Vietnam, including tourism businesses. After the COVID-19 pandemic, Google also shared with the tourism industry information about digital search demand for tourism in Vietnam through Travel Insights tools (including Destination Insights, Hotel Insights and Travel Analytics Center). VNAT's Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh stated, this is considered the practical and effective support in promoting the digital transformation in Vietnam tourism industry.

Representatives of Google at the meeting

Speaking at the meeting, Mr. Marc Woo - Managing Director of Google Vietnam, Google Asia Pacific, affirmed, the cooperation between Google and MOCST in the past times has achieved “miraculous results”, positioning Vietnam tourism image on the world map via Google platforms, as well as joining projects of both sides.

Google especially appreciates the attention of MOCST to the digital transformation work in culture and tourism activities. According to Mr. Marc Woo, AI technology is becoming increasingly important in the development of countries around the world, Google is committed to accompany MOCST to advance this technology. Google also emphasised the importance of human resource training and development in Vietnam, especially in the field of digital transformation and grasping and absorbing scientific and technological advances, including the fields of culture and tourism.

Ms. Mukpim Anantachai, Head of YouTube Partnerships, Thailand & Vietnam, said, YouTube - the world's largest video sharing platform and one of Google's outstanding products and services has gradually affirmed its role as an important channel providing information, images, promotional videos, and introductions to culture, tourism, the country, and people of Vietnam. Most importantly, YouTube contributes to closely connecting the State Management Agency of Vietnam Tourism, as well as content creators with people who love the country and people of Vietnam around the world, creating interest and love of tourists around the world for Vietnam, contributing to promoting the development of the tourism industry, affirming the image of Vietnam on the world map.

Ms. Clare Brooks - Southeast Asia Manager, Google Arts & Culture shared a number of results that Google Arts & Culture implemented in localities of Vietnam, focusing on the conservation aspect of cultural heritage, especially UNESCO-recognized world heritage sites in Vietnam, typically the project to digitise Tu Duc Tomb, Hue Monuments Complex for conservation work (2018), as well as other projects being implemented at Trang An Landscape Complex and Ha Long Bay…

Expand the cooperation to promote Vietnam culture and tourism

MOCST’s Deputy Minister Ho An Phong suggested Google to keep up its support in promoting the cultural industry in Vietnam, cooperation between the two sides to further affirm the importance, role and contribution of enterprises in the development of cultural and tourism industries in Vietnam.

Regarding projects serving the conservation and promotion of cultural heritage values, especially world heritages in Vietnam, MOCST’s Deputy Minister Ho An Phong enquired Google to digitise all 08 world heritage sites, as well as intangible cultural heritage elements and types of titles of Vietnam recognized by UNESCO.

MOCST working delegation and representatives of Google at Google headquarter in the USA