DongThap (VNA) – Ho Chi Minh City and the three provinces in the DongThap Muoi (Plain of Reeds) sub-region, namely Dong Thap, Tien Giang and LongAn, discussed measures to boost their tourism cooperation at a meeting in DongThap’s Cao Lanh city.

Speakingat the event on October 21, Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh spoke highlyof connectivity of the localities in the Dong Thap Muoi sub-region.

Tofurther develop tourism, he suggested the localities pay more attention toupgrading infrastructure, renewing investment attraction methods and intensifyingtourism promotion.

Itis necessary to put tourism development in relation with the socio-economicdevelopment, and protect the environment and the eco-system, he said, asking HoChi Minh City to lead in connecting and facilitating the growth of Dong ThapMuoi provinces.

NguyenNgoc Thuong, Director of the Dong Thap provincial Department of Culture, Sportsand Tourism, affirmed that cooperation in tourism between Dong Thap, Tien Giangand Long An and between them and Ho Chi Minh City is inevitable and essentialin order to sustainably manage natural resources of the Dong Thap Muoisub-region in the context of climate change and economic integration.

Atthe event, the “one journey-three destinations” initiative was put on table. Thejourney will specifically include such tourist attractions as Tan Lap floatingvillage in Long An, Dong Thap Muoi ecological sanctuary and Chanh Giac Truc LamZen Monastery in Tien Giang and Go Thap national cultural-historical relic siteand Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap.

ViceSecretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Tat Thanh Cang proposed thethree provinces design typical tourism products of each locality and regularlyparticipate in domestic travel fairs and intensify links between education andeco-tourism.

Atthe event, businesses donated a total of 57 billion VND (2.5 million USD) tobuild bridges in far-flung areas in Dong Thap, Tien Giang and Long Anprovinces.-VNA