Members of the Hoan Kiem District Tourism Association held their first congress on December 11 to identify key missions for 2023-2028.

Hoan Kiem Lake. Photo: Lai Quynh/The Hanoi Times

The meeting marked the official launch of the association as a community of local travel businesses and government agencies working to bring new and positive changes to the tourism sector and contribute to the growth of the district and the capital.

Nguyen Quoc Hoan, Vice Chairman of the Hoan Kiem District  People's Committee, said that the Hoan Kiem District Tourism Association gathers local businesses in travel, accommodation, logistics and catering services.

So far, they have made utmost efforts to promote local values, improve the quality of local products and services, and contribute to the socio-economic growth of the district, he said.

Their aim in joining an association is to provide mutual assistance and fulfill their social responsibility to help poor people and support those suffering from calamities in the capital and across the country, Hoan said.

The vice chairman of the district urged the association to leverage its solidarity for the development of the local tourism and service industry, the networking of all enterprises, and the common development of the district.

The members of the association should be the ones to spread the policies of the Party, the government, the city administration and the district authorities to build a modern, friendly and sustainable tourism sector, he said.

Group photo of the delegates partaking in the congress. Photo: The Hanoi Times

"Businesses should work with local authorities and the Old Quarter Management Committee to develop new, distinctive and high-quality products and services," Hoan said.

"They should cooperate to launch tourism development programs that support domestic and overseas operations to tap the unexplored markets," he added.

Other tasks include improving facilities and equipment to provide better services to visitors, developing a circular and sustainable economy, promoting local cultures and values to international customers, and improving the quality of tour guides and service providers, the vice chairman recommended.

At the congress, the association voted a standing committee of nine members. Duong Thi Thanh Tam was voted the chairwoman of the standing committee, while Le Xuan Vinh and Nguyen Ho Anh were designated as the committee's vice chairmen.

The first congress of the association foundation of the association has a significant meaning to the district as it highlights a new chapter for the local area.

Nine members of the association's standing committee. Nguyen Thi Bang Tam (center) has been elected as Chairwoman of the Hoan Kiem District Tourism Association. Photo: The Hanoi Times

Hoan Kiem District is considered Hanoi's social and cultural center. It is home to the Old Quarter, famous for the ancient 36 neighborhoods selling different products.

The district is also for Hoan Kiem Lake, the name it is called after. The historical lake comes with the tale of Le Thai To King returning the holy sword to the gods after defeating a foreign enemy in the early 15th century.

Since 2010, Hanoi has been well-known for having the first pedestrian zone in Vietnam. The area attracts thousands of visitors every weekend, inspiring the authorities of Hanoi and other cities and provinces to open more.

Given its rich cultural and historical values, the 146-ha area of Hoan Kiem Lake and surrounding streets has recently been recognized as a city-level historical site.

In early December, the Hanoi Tourism Department launched 15-night tours to take visitors around the city at night through multiple exciting places, including the O Quan Chuong (Old East Gate), Hoan Kiem Lake, and several ancient houses in the Old Quarter.