Published on
September 10, 2025
Hanoi recently hosted an interesting cultural and tourism event, “Experience Azerbaijan”, organized jointly by the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Vietnam, Azerbaijan Tourism Bureau (ATB), and Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism. The event served to intensify bilateral relations and promote Azerbaijan’s tourism potential to Vietnamese tourists.
The event assembled top leaders, such as Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of ATB, Nguyen Thi Hoa Mai, Deputy Director of Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), ambassadors, tourism specialists, Vietnamese institution representatives, and college students.
Promoting Cultural Exchange and Friendship
Trinh Thi Thu Ha, Rector of the Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism, emphasized that cultural exchange plays a vital role in fostering friendship between nations. She noted that events like these not only showcase foreign cultures but also create opportunities for educational collaborations, joint research, and tourism partnerships. The event included interactive presentations, cultural performances, and exhibitions, giving attendees a vivid insight into Azerbaijan’s heritage, lifestyle, and natural landscapes.
Strategic Partnership Strengthens Bilateral Ties
Azerbaijan’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Shovgi Mehdizade, highlighted the progress in relations between the two countries. He noted that following the state visit of To Lam, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, to Azerbaijan in May 2025, bilateral ties have been elevated to the level of strategic partnership. This partnership, he said, paves the way for closer collaboration in tourism, trade, education, and culture, making the countries more attractive for mutual investment and travel opportunities.
Tourism Cooperation: A Promising Future
In her speech, Deputy Director Nguyen Thi Hoa Mai underlined the potential for tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Azerbaijan. She highlighted that Azerbaijan’s rich cultural heritage, historic monuments, and scenic landscapes make it a highly attractive destination for Vietnamese travelers. She also emphasized the importance of mutual promotion, noting that joint tourism projects, exchange programs, and collaborative marketing campaigns could further strengthen understanding and cultural appreciation between the two nations.
Azerbaijan Invites Vietnamese Tourists
Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of ATB, presented Azerbaijan’s tourism strategy and highlighted the country’s unique appeal. He invited Vietnamese tourists to explore Azerbaijan, describing it as a destination where ancient cultural heritage meets modern lifestyle, complemented by stunning natural beauty from mountains and rivers to the Caspian Sea coastline. Sengstschmid emphasized the opportunities for adventure tourism, cultural exploration, culinary experiences, and eco-tourism, positioning Azerbaijan as a diverse and vibrant travel destination for Vietnamese visitors.
Strengthening Tourism Ties Through Education
The event also highlighted the role of education and student engagement in tourism development. Students from the Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism actively participated in discussions, exhibitions, and cultural workshops, gaining firsthand exposure to Azerbaijan’s tourism offerings. This approach encourages future tourism professionals to understand international markets, enabling long-term collaboration and innovation in both countries’ tourism sectors.
Mutual Benefits of Cultural Tourism
The event emphasized that tourism cooperation offers dual benefits, both economic and social. Attracting Vietnamese tourists can generate revenue, create jobs, and boost Azerbaijan’s tourism sector while also fostering cultural understanding, friendship, and educational collaboration, deepening people-to-people ties between Vietnam and Azerbaijan. Both countries aim to leverage tourism as a tool for diplomacy, strengthening relations while promoting shared cultural and economic growth.
Looking Ahead: Joint Tourism Initiatives
Moving forward, Vietnam and Azerbaijan plan to expand collaborative efforts in tourism through exchange programs for tourism professionals and students, joint marketing campaigns, tourism fairs, roadshows, cultural exhibitions, and cooperation on sustainable tourism projects. Such initiatives are expected to enhance travel experiences, encourage repeat visits, and establish long-term tourism partnerships.
A Vibrant Cultural and Tourism Partnership
The “Experience Azerbaijan” exhibition in Hanoi presented beyond mere tourism prospects. It depicted a well-thought-out initiative to enhance economic and cultural relations. With the help of interactive activities, student participation, and cooperative collaboration, the two nations are creating possibilities for strong tourism relations. Through further development of mutual tourism by Vietnam and Azerbaijan, tourists from both sides are likely to enjoy distinct cultural encounters, lively locations, and hassle-free travel exchanges, indicative of a promising future in bilateral relations.
