Nguyen Van Tinh, head of the International Cooperation Bureau under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, told the Daily on Monday that talks between the two sides had been finalized, and US$250,000 would be spent on this two-month publicity program.

The second publicity for Vietnam’s tourism on CNN’s Asian coverage, including Japan, will promote the World Heritage Site of Hạ Long Bay, plus other major attractions of the country, similar to the first program in late 2007.

“We’ve finished the discussion about the cost and the content for the program and are waiting for approval on the budget from the Ministry of Finance,” he said, adding the agreement would be signed in September.

“The two sides can ink the deal in this September if the ministry agrees on the budget,” Tinh said.

In late 2007, the country’s tourism image was advertised every day on CNN for the first time. The 30-second spot mainly promoted the World Heritage Site of Halong Bay, plus other major attractions of the country such as the ancient town of Hoi An, HCMC, and the former capital city of Thua Thien-Hue city. The program costs US$290,000 covered by the State Budget.

Tinh said his bureau was also discussing similar programs for the country’s tourism on other international networks. The bureau will also cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to promote Vietnam in the U.S. on the occasion of the Vietnam Day in California in the fourth quarter of this year.

This year, Vietnam’s tourism will have a budget of around VND50 billion or nearly US$3 million to carry out activities to promote the country’s tourism. Half of the budget comes from the National Tourism Action Program, and the balance from the Investment, Trade, Tourism Promotion Fund of the central Government.

According to the National Administration of Tourism, Vietnam has received nearly 1.9 million international tourists in the first-half of this year, down more than 19% year-on-year while the domestic travel saw over 11.7 million tourists, up 13% year-on-year. Tourism revenue totaled VND32.4 trillion, up 8.7%.

VietNamNet/SGT