Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province

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As the second event of its kind in Vietnam, the forum is expected to help Vietnam promote its beautiful landscapes, cultural identities, traditions and history to international friends.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the event aims to concretise cooperation among ASEAN countries, towards the ASEAN region "One Vision, One Identity, One Community" with the goal of prosperity and sustainable development.

Various activities will be held during the forum such as the meeting between ASEAN tourism ministers, meetings between officials of ASEAN National Tourism Organisations (NTOs), the ATF Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) and more.

The meeting of ASEAN tourism ministers will focus on measures to enhance competitiveness, standardise and develop human resources for tourism and promote sustainable tourism.

TRAVEX, the annual specialised tourism fair, is expected to provide opportunities for local tourism firms and their partners from key markets to boost ties and promote their products.

Ceremonies to announce the book "Tourism Stories” in Vietnam and to present the ASEAN Tourism Award will be included in the forum.

First launched in 1981 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the ATF is the biggest annual event of ASEAN tourism cooperation, which aims to promote ASEAN as one tourist destination with sustainable development.

Since 1998, Vietnam has participated in the ATF, as well as meetings and activities in the framework of the forum.

The ATF in Vietnam in 2009 approved many important initiatives and proposals, contributing to bolstering tourism cooperation among regional countries.