Tourism official in Gumi City aims to attract more Vietnamese tourists

The Việt Nam Tourism Travel Mart (VITM) this year showcased 150 booths of South Korean localities and companies, highlighting the strong tourism ties between the two countries. South Korea has emerged as a popular destination for Vietnamese tourists, with over 420,000 visitors from Vietnam in the last year, making it the largest number in Southeast Asia and the fifth most in the world to South Korea. On the other hand, Việt Nam welcomed 3.6 million South Korean visitors, the highest number in the world to the country.

During the VITM event, Lê Hương from Việt Nam News had the opportunity to chat with Kim Yeong-cheol, the director of Gumi City’s Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau. This was Gumi City’s first time participating in the VITM, and Kim expressed his excitement at the interest shown by Vietnamese people in tourism. He aims to promote Gumi City as a new and exciting destination for Vietnamese travelers.

Gumi City offers a unique blend of industrial tourism, with attractions like the Samsung complex and the Dongshin noodle plant where visitors can experience noodle-making. Additionally, the city boasts beautiful landscapes, ancient pagodas dating back 1,000 years, and vibrant seasonal festivals.

With around three million tourists visiting Gumi City annually, including a community of 160,000 Vietnamese residents, there is a strong foundation for future cooperation between Gumi City and Việt Nam. Kim hopes to increase awareness of Gumi City through events like VITM and looks forward to hosting the Asian Economy Conference in 2025, showcasing the city’s potential as a tourism hub.