Kuala lumpur: Malaysia is exploring closer cooperation with Vietnam in the Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector to strengthen bilateral tourism and boost high-end business travel between the two countries. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing expressed these intentions during his recent visit to Ho Chi Minh City, where he encouraged Viettours, a prominent travel company in Vietnam, to share proposals related to high-end business travel and corporate incentive programmes with Malaysia.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the aim is to leverage Malaysia's robust infrastructure, extensive convention and exhibition facilities, and its rich tourism and cultural offerings. Tiong emphasized the potential to work alongside local MICE agencies, such as the Malaysia Convention and Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), to develop packages that blend business and leisure. These packages could combine conferences with cultural activities, team-building retreats in Langkawi, adventure-themed programmes in Sabah, and medical or tech-focused meetings in Penang or Perak.

Tiong noted that the Viettours team had expressed the need for more detailed destination information and professional partners to help design suitable itineraries. Looking forward, Malaysia plans to organize a dedicated Malaysia MICE roadshow in Vietnam to facilitate business-to-business (B2B) engagements and partnerships. He expressed hope that this exchange would mark the beginning of a new chapter in Malaysia-Vietnam tourism cooperation, promising mutual benefits and shared growth.