Leh, Dec,29: As a part of the first Cultural Exchange and Tourism Introduction programme in Vietnam, a day-long seminar was held on Dec 29 at Samtan Hill Dalat between the Travel and Tourism stakeholders of Vietnam and Leh Ladakh, which was presided by the esteemed Consulate General of India in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Dr Madan Mohan Sethi in the presence of Chairman/CEC, LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyalson.

Representatives from LAHDC Leh, such as Councillor Tsering Namgyal; Councillor Lobzang Sherap; experts and stakeholders of travel and tourism sector from both Leh Ladakh and Vietnam and other concerned officials were also present.

In the seminar, President, All Ladakh Travel Trade Alliance (ALTTA), PT Kunzang; President All Ladakh Hotel and Guest Houses Association (ALHGHA), Skarma Tsering Dehlex; President All Ladakh Tour Operator Association (ALTOA), Delex Namgail presented presentation highlighting the Travel and Tourism industry of Ladakh and its potential.

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Another landmark achievement was the signing of three separate Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) between the stakeholders of the two regions i.e Lam Dong Province, Vietnam and Leh Ladakh, India. The first MoU dealt with collaboration in Agriculture between Ladakh and Vietman, which was signed by Councillor Khaltse, LAHDC Leh, Lobzang Sherap representing Ladakh. The second MoU was signed between the Travel and Tourism stakeholders of Vietnam and Ladakh and the third MoU focused on Hotel Industry and was signed between the respective stakeholders and experts of hotel industry.

Addressing the gathering, Counsul General Dr Madan Mohan Sethi appreciated the novel initiative of LAHDC Leh in promoting tourism and cultural exchange in Vietnam. Counsul General Sethi assured his full support in promotion of tourism between Ladakh, India and Vietnam. He also concurred to take up the issue of charter flight between Ladakh and Vietnam with the concerned higher authorities.

Chairman/ CEC, LAHDC Leh, Tashi Gyalson, in his address, shed light on the religious and spiritual bonding between Vietnam and India and the strong bilateral relationship shared by the two countries in different sectors. He added that Hanley in Ladakh is the abode of the first Dark Sky Sanctuary in the whole of South-East Asia and highlighted the booming tourism in Ladakh and its potential.

 He expressed gratitude to the government officials of Lam Dong Province and Samtan Hill Dalat for the support extended in successfully conducting the first cultural exchange and tourism introduction programme with immense potential and opportunities embedded in it for both the regions.H’CEC also expressed heartfelt gratitude for the support and guidance provided by the Counsul General of India in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Dr Madam Mohan Sethi.

CEC Gyalson added the signing of the three MoUs would deepen the bilateral relationship between the two and bring economic prosperity and inclusive development in the respective sectors.

Further, CEC Gyalson extended warm invitation to the stakeholders of Vietnam to organise and conduct a cultural exchange and tourism promotion programme in Ladakh and expressed hope that the result of such initiative would reflect in the increase of tourists from Ladakh and India in Vietnam and vice-versa, fostering a deeper sense of connection and bond between the two countries.