Taiwan draws attention at int'l travel expo in Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City, Sept. 7 (CNA) The Taiwan pavilion, set up by Taiwan's Tourism Administration at the International Travel Expo (ITE) in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, drew interest from local and international travel industry professionals Thursday through Saturday.

The pavilion at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) featured stage performances, cultural experiences, cakes and interactive games during the three-day event.

Vietnamese tourism industry professionals told CNA that Taiwan is increasingly popular among Vietnamese travelers for its scenery, cuisine and culture.

Quốc Tòng, who studied Chinese in Taiwan, said his favorite Taiwanese attractions are the National Palace Museum and the Ximending shopping and entertainment area in Taipei.

He said more Vietnamese have grown fond of Taiwan in recent years and that Vietnam Airlines will add another scheduled flight to Taiwan in October.

Meanwhile, Vân told CNA she likes Taiwanese foods such as oyster omelets and milkfish soup.

She said Vietnamese are drawn by Taiwan's climate, places, and people, and that her relatives and friends hope to send their children to Taiwan to study.

Vietnamese arrivals to Taiwan have increased in recent years, reaching 370,000 in 2024 -- a return to pre-COVID levels, according to data from Taiwan's Tourism Administration.