Vietnam's first international tourism office named “The Visit Vietnam” was officially opened in London, the UK, on February 18, the Government Portal reported.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Quang Tung said that the UK is one of Vietnam’s strategic partners and its second largest travel market in Europe. Therefore, Vietnam's international tourism office in the UK will help British people know more about the country.

Vietnam's first international tourism office named “The Visit Vietnam” was officially opened in London. Photo: VNA

The Visit Vietnam will cooperate with British partners to promote tourism cooperation between the two countries and boost bilateral ties in the coming time, Tung added.

According to Tran Trong Kien, chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Advisory Board (TAB), The Visit Vietnam in the UK is responsible for coordinating with the UK’s PC Agency to promote destinations of Vietnam.

Besides, the office aims to introduce and update new Vietnamese tourism products to travel businesses in the UK in order to boost the number of British tourists as well as those from key European countries to Vietnam in the time ahead, Kien said.

Director of Asia Pacific Directorate of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK Kate White appreciated opening of the office.

Vietnam News Agency reported that Kate White praised the natural beauty and culture of Vietnam. She also believed that the F1 race to be held in Hanoi once again proves that Vietnam is an attractive destination for international visitors.

Vietnam is considered the fastest growing tourism market in the world by many international travel organizations such as the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the Asia-Pacific Tourism Association, among many other prestigious bodies in the field.

The country has received many awards such as the leading travel destination in Asia for two consecutive years, the world's leading golf destination, the top cultural tourism destination in Asia, among others.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, Vietnam's tourism welcomed nearly 18 million international arrivals in 2019, up 16% compared to 2018, including 237,355 British visitors, up 105% year-on-year.