Liu Hsi-lin, deputy director-general of the bureau, said it was the first time the bureau had organized such a fair in Vietnam and he hoped the event could serve as an exchange platform for operators in the industry from the two sides.

The fair focused on tour packages featuring food and shopping themes, he said.

Liu told attendees that Taiwan was ranked one of the top 10 destinations for travelers to visit in 2012 by world-renowned travel guide publisher Lonely Planet and that Taipei was listed as one of the budget travel destinations for 2012 by Fox News in the U.S.

He said the inclusions matched the bureau's 2012 promotion slogan "Time for Taiwan" and that it was time for Taiwan to receive global attention as a top travel destination.

Nearly 20 Vietnamese tourism operators attended the event, Liu said, adding that the bureau will host a banquet after the fair to sign a cooperation agreement on tourism with its Vietnamese counterpart.

Source: CAN