Delegates exchange information on the sidelines of the conference. — VNS Photo

HCM CITY (Biz Hub) — There is huge potential for co-operation between Vietnamese and Taiwanese firms in many areas, including MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and events) and medical services, a conference heard in HCM City on September 23.

Vo Tan Thanh, director of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry's HCM City office, said bilateral trade has grown strongly in recent years, reaching US$13 billion last year, with Taiwan enjoying a surplus.

Taiwan ranked fourth among countries and territories investing in Viet Nam, with $31.9 billion as of July this year in 2,540 projects, he said.

The number of Taiwanese travellers to Viet Nam has steadily increased in recent years, reaching nearly 300,000 in the first seven months of the year, a year-on-year increase of 15 per cent, he said.

Taiwan has also become an increasingly attractive travel destination for Vietnamese, with around 150,000 visiting last year, he said.

Liang Guang Chung, director general of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in HCM City, said the MICE industry has strongly developed in Taiwan thanks to the Government's intensive investment in the sector.

Since last November Taiwanese Government has eased visa procedures for many emerging countries in Asia like Viet Nam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and India.

Starting this month Vietnamese can get a long-term, multi-entry visa for 2-5 years.

This would create favourable conditions to boost tourism co-operation between the two sides, Liang said.

There is huge potential for co-operation between Vietnamese and Taiwanese firms in many areas, he said.

Thanh said with incomes increasing, the number of Vietnamese going abroad to treat heart, cancer, and digestive problems and get cosmetic surgery has also increased, with around 2,000 heading for Taiwan last year.

This is an area in which the two sides can boost co-operation, he said.

Organised by VCCI and the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), the conference saw executives from six Taiwanese MICE firms and two hospitals taking part.

Delegates spoke about Taiwan's MICE industry, MICE tours and medical tourism, and the incentives and support offered to overseas groups coming to Taiwan for corporate meetings and incentive travel.

The conference was part of Taiwan's trade promotion activities meant to expand bilateral co-operation with ASEAN countries in sectors like human resources, manufacturing, education, culture, tourism, and agriculture. — VNS