Vietnam will soon appoint a new tourism envoy who will spread factsabout its cultural riches to the world, as part of efforts to lure moreforeigners to the country.

The line-up for the titleinclude well-known actress Nguyen Lan Phuong, English-language teacherDo Thi Hong Thuan, Miss Tourism 2011 Huynh Thi Ngoc Han and Miss ASEAN2012 Le Thi Dieu Han.

Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports andTourism Ho Anh Tuan informed the media in Hanoi on May 29 that he willlead a jury panel to decide on the winner, with others from the VietnamNational Administration of Tourism, the Vietnam Tourism Association, theInternational Cooperation Department, and possibly even journalists.

He also asked for their feedback on the regulations of theappointment and the rights and responsibilities the envoy should begiven, and vowed that the suggestions will be submitted to seniorministry officials for approval.

The envoy, who will workfor no more than three years, is required to have a full grasp ofVietnamese history, culture and tourism, have reached eminence in aprofession and play a constructive role in social progress.

Foreign applicants must have prestige and make positive impact in theirhome nations while actively contributing to Vietnam’s coordination withworldwide countries.

The winner will join tourism officialsduring the Vietnam culture week in three Russian cities in June, theVietnam festival in Japan and the Republic of Korea, the Vietnam Day inthe Netherlands in October and the Vietnam Year in Indonesia inNovember.

There will also be many tourism envoys for different markets and specific activities, Tuan said.-VNA