(VOVworld) - A conference linking the development of Northwest tourism 2014 and meetings with diplomats, organized by the Northwest Steering Committee, opened in Dien Bien province on Tuesday.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chairs the conference (Photo: VNA)

The conference is a useful forum for organizations, investors, enterprises, and diplomatic corps to meet, exchange experiences and establish cooperative ties and investment links to develop the Northwestern region. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc spoke at the event: "Tourism holds an important position in the national economy. Opening a space to develop tourism not only helps promote cooperation and investment but also international exchanges. Vietnam’s Northwestern region has great potential for tourist development. But in order to develop tourism, it is essential to expand cooperative links, thus ambassadors, international organizations and localities play important roles in this effort".