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| Chairman of Hue City People’s Committee Nguyen Khac Toan presenting a commemorative gift to Sarath B.S. Abayakoon, Governor of Sri Lanka’s Central Province. Photo: Provided by the Office of the City People’s Committee |
The delegation included representatives from Hue City Department of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Vietnam in Sri Lanka. Receiving the delegation were Sarath Abeyakoon, Governor of Sri Lanka’s Central Province, along with representatives of Kandy city authorities and relevant agencies.
At the meeting, Chairman Nguyen Khac Toan gave an overview of Hue’s potential, strengths, and development orientation. Hue is one of Vietnam’s seven centrally governed cities and is developing under the model of a heritage, cultural, ecological, and smart urban area. With increasingly synchronized infrastructure, high-quality human resources, and a favorable investment environment, Hue is becoming an attractive destination for both domestic and international investors.
As Vietnam’s former imperial capital, Hue currently possesses eight UNESCO-recognized heritage elements along with a rich system of historical and cultural relics. The city is also the host locality for Vietnam’s signature festival and is gradually building an internationally recognized festival brand.
Chairman Toan also emphasized Hue’s advantages in geographical location and transport infrastructure, with a full range of road, railway, air, and maritime transport systems. Phu Bai International Airport has a capacity of approximately five million passengers per year, alongside seaport systems in Phong Dien, Thuan An, and Chan May. In particular, the Tam Giang - Cau Hai Lagoon system, the largest lagoon system in Southeast Asia, provides favorable conditions for developing the marine economy and eco-tourism.
Based on similarities in culture, history, and religion, the city leader expressed a desire to promote cooperation with Sri Lanka’s Central Province in various fields, including high-level delegation exchanges, cultural and artistic exchanges, heritage preservation, spiritual tourism development, trade promotion, and high-tech agriculture.
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| At the meeting. Photo: Provided by the Office of the City People’s Committee |
Speaking at the meeting, Governor of Sri Lanka’s Central Province Sarath Abeyakoon expressed his pleasure in welcoming Hue City delegation and highly appreciated the socio-economic development achievements of Vietnam in general and Hue City in particular.
According to Governor Sarath Abeyakoon, the two localities share many similarities in history, culture, education, and spiritual tourism development, creating a favorable foundation for building a sustainable cooperative relationship in the future. The administration of Sri Lanka’s Central Province hopes to soon implement specific areas of cooperation with Hue City in fields of mutual interest.
Regarding future cooperation orientation, both sides agreed to report to the competent authorities of each country for consideration, to sign an official Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in Hue during the upcoming visit of leaders and artists from Sri Lanka’s Central Province to participate in the activities of Hue Festival.