Cultural Diplomacy Opens Doors to Tourism Connections

Cultural Exchange Goes Hand in Hand with Tourism Promotion

Implementing the Cultural Diplomacy Strategy through 2030 in the province, Lam Dong has identified the promotion of its distinctive cultural values and stronger exchanges with other countries as key approaches to bringing the province and its people closer to international friends.

With diverse ecological zones stretching from the highlands and midlands to the coastal area, Lam Dong is home to forests, seas, lakes, geological landscapes, border gates and seaports, as well as rich cultural resources of 49 ethnic groups, each with distinctive cultural heritage.

Of particular significance are internationally recognized heritages, including the Space of Gong Culture, Nguyen Dynasty Woodblocks, the Lang Biang World Biosphere Reserve, Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark, Central Vietnamese "Bai Choi" Art, "Don Ca Tai Tu" Art, the Art of Pottery Making of the Cham People, and Da Lat – UNESCO Creative City of Music.

Alongside these assets, the province's rapidly developing high-tech agriculture, which leads the country in many areas, provides an additional distinctive advantage.

These foundations give Lam Dong favorable conditions to develop high-quality tourism products centered on resort, ecological, cultural, wellness, agricultural and MICE tourism.

Over the years, Lam Dong has organized a wide range of external cultural activities with countries that maintain friendly and cooperative relations with Vietnam, including South Korea, Japan, Laos, Cambodia, India, France and several European countries.

Activities have included a Kathakali classical dance exchange in Cat Tien; French, British, Italian and Dutch cultural programs marking anniversaries of diplomatic relations; the Da Lat–Chuncheon cultural and arts exchange with South Korea; Korean Culture Day in Da Lat; cultural exchanges with Indian states; the International Tea Festival; the Southeast Asian Gong Festival; and numerous activities held as part of the Flower Festival, Sea Festival and international music festivals.

Events such as the Flower Festival, Tourism Golden Week and Lam Dong Tourism Destination Experience Month have also provided opportunities to introduce the province's landscapes, culture, people and tourism products.

In particular, the cultural heritage of ethnic minority communities is regularly showcased through events, exchanges and festivals, enhancing visitor experiences, adding depth to destinations and receiving positive feedback from international tourists.

In addition, international sporting events such as women's cycling races, marathons and off-road motor races have helped introduce Lam Dong to foreign athletes and visitors.

Expanding Connections Through Cultural Diplomacy

Over the past five years, Lam Dong has welcomed more than 100 international delegations for visits and working sessions, including senior officials, ministers, consuls general and local leaders from various countries.

Through these visits and working sessions, the province has promoted its tourism and cultural potential while expanding exchanges in education, agriculture and heritage conservation.

Cultural diplomacy activities have also been connected with overseas Vietnamese communities through the “Homeland Spring” program, contributing to bringing Vietnamese culture closer to Vietnamese people living abroad.

During a survey of tourism products and services in Lam Dong, Kukunuru Ranga Readdy of the Indian Association of Tour Operators spoke highly of the province's culture, natural landscapes, friendly people and accommodation facilities.

According to him, Lam Dong has the potential to develop products suited to the Indian market, but appropriate tours and travel routes need to be developed to better tap into its cultural and natural heritage.

The Cultural Diplomacy Strategy through 2030 in Lam Dong is aimed not only at strengthening exchanges and promoting the province's image, but also at improving the quality and effectiveness of external cultural activities.

The strategy seeks to leverage cultural values as a resource for development, expand cooperation with foreign localities, organizations and individuals, and international organizations, thereby contributing to attracting investment, promoting trade and tourism, and developing the cultural industries.

This orientation also requires external relations activities to become more substantive. Cultural values must be introduced in a way that accurately reflects their intrinsic significance.

Tran Thanh Hoai, Deputy Director of the Department of Foreign Affairs, said the province would continue linking cultural diplomacy with economic and political diplomacy while stepping up heritage conservation and promoting Lam Dong's cultural values to international audiences.

Cultural diplomacy activities will be diversified through events, festivals and programs promoting culture and tourism domestically, regionally and internationally.

At the same time, favorable conditions will be created for foreign countries, international organizations and foreign cultural and tourism agencies to introduce their countries, people and cultural and tourism products in Lam Dong.

The province will continue expanding relations with countries and territories, international cultural organizations, economic groups and cultural agencies in the region to further promote its cultural values, tourism potential and development achievements.

Building on these advantages, Lam Dong is developing distinctive tourism products, with cultural diplomacy serving as a process of fostering mutual understanding, expanding relations and gradually bringing the destination closer to international visitors.

Quynh Uyen