From golf course to Hollywood screen: Ambassadors tell the story of Vietnam tourism

NGUYỄN ĐẠT |

From the generation of King Ly Thai To, Hollywood director to golf legend, many famous people have taken on the role of promoting Vietnamese tourism to the world.

Greg Norman - a world golf legend - continues to take on the role of Vietnam Tourism Ambassador for the 2025 - 2030 term.

In his role as Tourism Ambassador from 2018 to 2021, he made important milestones, contributing to making Vietnam the Best Golf Destination in Asia for 8 consecutive years and Best Golf Destination in the World in 2019 and 2021 voted by the World Golf Awards.

Thu truong Ho An Phong trao Quyet dinh bo nhiem Gregory John Norman dam nhiem Dai su Du lich Viet Nam nhiem ky 2025 - 2030. Anh: TITC
Deputy Minister Ho An Phong presented the Decision to appoint Gregory John Norman as Vietnam Tourism Ambassador for the 2025 - 2030 term. Photo: TITC

Not only is he an inspiration through swinging on the golf course, Greg Norman is also an emotional narrator of the scenery, cuisine, people and culture of Vietnam through tourism promotion videos broadcast on CNN, Golf Channel, CNBC or personal social networking sites.

Greg Norman affirmed: I pledge to do my best to continue to bring the image of Vietnam, a destination not only for golfers but also a country of heritage, nature, culture and friendly people, spreading the image of Vietnam Tourism more strongly to the world.

Greg Norman cam ket quang ba hinh anh du lich Viet Nam gan voi trai nghiem, dich vu dang cap. Anh: Greg Norman
Greg Norman is committed to promoting the image of Vietnam tourism associated with experiences and high-class services. Photo: Greg Norman

During his new term, Mr. Greg Norman will implement a series of long-term initiatives: promoting golf tourism on personal media platforms with more than 175,000 followers, coordinating to build Greg Norman Golf Academy to train the younger generation and popularize golf in physical education...

He will also advise on policies for developing sustainable golf courses associated with environmental protection, propose an international standard golf course inspection system, connect golf tourism with heritage tourism through golf festivals, promote bringing golf tournaments and international cultural - tourism events to Vietnam.

In particular, Greg Norman and a number of investors have proposed developing international standard golf courses in many potential localities in Vietnam, contributing to improving the quality of destinations and expanding the segment of high-end tourists.

Before Greg Norman, Vietnam had appointed many individuals with international influence as Tourism Ambassadors, each representing a field, with different strengths.

Ly Nha Ky

As the first Tourism Ambassador of Vietnam, this actress - businesswoman once caused a stir when mobilizing the international community to vote Ha Long Bay as one of the 7 new natural wonders of the world.

During her one-year term from September 2011 to September 2012, she promoted the image of Vietnam in more than 10 countries, introducing localities such as Hung Yen and Nam Dinh through cultural diplomacy programs.

Despite some controversies, she was recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and awarded a certificate of merit after her term ended.

Ly Nha Ky o tuoi 43. Anh: Facebook nhan vat
Ly Nha Ky at the Cannes Film Festival invited many famous manufacturers to Vietnam to contribute to introducing culture and developing tourism. Photo: Interviewee

Bobby Chinn

World-famous New Zealand chef Bobby Chinn holds the role of Vietnam Tourism Ambassador to Europe, term from July 2014 to July 2017.

With his culinary strength, Bobby Chinn has actively introduced Vietnamese dishes at international fairs such as WTM London, hosting many TV shows such as World Cafe Asia (TLC) or Bobby Chinn Cooks Asia (Discovery).

He also published Wild, Wild East books, affirming that cuisine is a leading competitive advantage of Vietnam tourism.

This chef has repeatedly shared his impressions of Vietnamese cuisine, especially loving street foods such as banh cuon, banh xeo...

Bobby Chinn loves Vietnamese cuisine. Photo: Bobby Chinn

Anoa Suzanne Dussol Perran

As a French businessman of Vietnamese origin, Anoa once made a splash when flying by helicopter from Paris to Hanoi through 22 countries. She was the Vietnamese Tourism Ambassador to France from October 2015 to October 2018.

During her term as Vietnamese tourism ambassador, she launched the project "Vietnam House" in the suburbs of Paris - a place to introduce Vietnamese culture, ao dai, and specialties to overseas Vietnamese and international friends.

She also proposed organizing the "Vietnam Tourism Year in France 2016" and "France Tourism Year in Vietnam 2017", while actively connecting tourism associations of the two countries.

Ba Anoa Suzanne Dussol Perran va Bo truong Nguyen Van Hung. Anh: BVHTTDL
Ms. Anoa Suzanne Dussol Perran and Minister Nguyen Van Hung. Photo: Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism

Jordan Vogt-Roberts

As the blockbuster director of Kong: Skull Island, Mr. Jordan was appointed as Vietnam Tourism Ambassador to the UK and the US for the 2017 - 2020 term.

He has taken advantage of cinema to promote Vietnam, inviting Hollywood filmmakers such as Gareth Edwards (Director of Star Wars) to visit famous places such as Trang An and Ha Long.

Despite the assault in Ho Chi Minh City in 2017, the director always expressed his love for Vietnam, wearing a red shirt with a yellow star at the 90th Oscar to express his affection for the S-shaped country.

Dao dien Jordan Vogt-Roberts gui loi cam on khan gia Viet Nam. Anh: Chup man hinh
Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts sent his thanks to Vietnamese audiences after the success of the blockbuster Kong: Skull Island.

Ly Xuong Can

As the 31st generation successor of King Ly Thai To, Mr. Ly Xuong Can (Lee Chang Kun) has a Vietnamese bloodline and always strives to develop Vietnam - Korea tourism relations. This special ambassador was born in 1958 in Seoul, South Korea.

He once proposed opening a representative office for Vietnam Tourism in Korea, with the task of promoting destinations, supporting businesses in organizing tours, and providing information for Korean tourists.

Ong Ly Xuong Can (bia phai) nhan quyet dinh bo nhiem lam Dai su Du lich Viet Nam tai Han Quoc nhiem ky 2021- 2024. Anh: Hai Minh
Mr. Ly Xuong Can (right cover) received the decision to appoint him as Vietnam Tourism Ambassador to Korea. Photo: Hai Minh

The appointment of Tourism Ambassadors is an important part of the national tourism promotion strategy, especially in key markets such as Korea.

This is an effort of the tourism industry to increase the recognition of Vietnam's image on the world map, attracting tourists not only in quantity but also improving the quality of spending and length of stay.

In the period of 2025 - 2030, with the support of Greg Norman and systematic communication campaigns, the Vietnamese industry expects to continue to become a leading golf tourism destination in Asia and the world - a gathering place for heritage, sports, and high-class experiences.

NGUYỄN ĐẠT
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On the morning of July 18, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism presented the decision to appoint Mr. Greg Norman as Vietnam Tourism Ambassador for the 2025 - 2030 term.

Phu Tho promotes tourism in Korea, expands international market

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Phu Tho actively promotes tourism in Korea, expands international markets and seeks cooperation opportunities with potential partners.

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World golf legend Greg Norman is the Ambassador of Vietnam Tourism

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On the morning of July 18, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism presented the decision to appoint Mr. Greg Norman as Vietnam Tourism Ambassador for the 2025 - 2030 term.