Phong hailed Chengdu for winning the title of the happiest city of China, adding that Ho Chi Minh City is working to turn itself into a civilised, modern and friendly city. 

He said China is now among the five largest sources of tourist arrivals to Ho Chi Minh City and Chinese localities such as Guangdong and Jilin regularly hold trade and tourism promotion events in the city. 

The scheduled launch of direct flight services between Ho Chi Minh City and Chengdu in 2019 will contribute to facilitating exchange as well as trade, investment, tourism promotion, he said. 

Luo, for his part, said Chengdu is the capital of Sichuan province, which is home to numerous relic sites and beautiful landscapes, adding that Chengdu wants to further enhance tourism cooperation with Vietnamese localities. 

According to him, Sichuan Airlines is conducting procedures to launch flights linking Chengdu and Ho Chi Minh City, which he said, will step up bilateral trade, cultural and tourism ties. 

Following the reception, Phong and his guest witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism and the Chengdu Tourism Bureau. 

Accordingly, both sides will share information regarding tourism policies, travel agencies and tourist destinations, and consider cooperation plans related to workforce training and tourism investment.

Source: vov.vn