KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is exploring closer cooperation with Vietnam in the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector to strengthen bilateral tourism and boost high-end business travel between the two countries.
Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing said during his recent visit to Ho Chi Minh City, he had encouraged Viettours, a well-known travel company in Vietnam, to share proposals related to high-end business travel and corporate incentive programmes with Malaysia.
Among other things, he said the aim was to leverage Malaysia’s strong infrastructure, extensive convention and exhibition facilities, and its diverse tourism and cultural offerings.
"By working alongside local MICE agencies such as Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), we can jointly develop packages that blend business and leisure.
"For example, combining conferences with cultural activities, team-building retreats for executives in Langkawi, adventure-themed programmes in Sabah, and medical or tech-focused meetings in Penang or Perak," he said in a Facebook post on Thursday (July 31).
Tiong said the Viettours team had expressed the need for more detailed destination information and professional partners to help design suitable itineraries.
Looking ahead, he said Malaysia plans to organise a dedicated Malaysia MICE roadshow in Vietnam to facilitate business-to-business (B2B) engagements and partnerships.
"We hope this exchange marks the beginning of a new chapter in Malaysia-Vietnam tourism cooperation, one that brings mutual benefits and shared growth,” he added. - Bernama
