European Union (EU) will provide Vietnam with EUR11 billion to promote environmental and social responsibility in the development of tourism in 2011-2015. 

The information was released at a ceremony announcing the financial agreement on the largest ever technical assistance given to Vietnam’s tourism held on January 14 in Hanoi.

Vietnam will contribute about EUR1 million to the programme. The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has been assigned its implementation.

The project aims to promote environmental and social responsibility in tourism services on part of Vietnam’s tourism development strategy.

It will focus on three components, including policy of assistance and regulation increasing competitiveness; and promoting education and vocational training.

Staff from the VNAT and executives from tourism sector at all levels will be the targets of the programme.

The programme was made possible due to the project on developing the success of human resources for tourist sector which was financed by the EU in 2004 - 2010.