The signing ceremony, witnessed by top dignitaries and delegates from ASEAN member states, signifies a renewed commitment to deepen bilateral collaboration in tourism promotion, product development, human resource training, and joint promotional activities. This partnership comes at a strategic time as Malaysia prepares for its highly anticipated Visit Malaysia 2026 campaign.
The MoU was signed by Dato’ Seri Dr. Haji Mohd Khalid Harun, President of MATA, and Mr. Cao Tri Dung, Chairman of the Da Nang Tourism Association, during a special session dedicated to regional tourism promotion and cooperation.
“This MoU is a testament to our shared vision for a more connected, resilient, and dynamic ASEAN tourism landscape. As Malaysia gears up for Visit Malaysia 2026, we are committed to building stronger partnerships within the region, starting with vibrant destinations like Da Nang,” said Dato’ Seri Dr. Khalid Harun.
Chairman Cao Tri Dung echoed similar sentiments, stating, “With this partnership, we look forward to developing attractive cross-border travel experiences, expanding our market outreach, and fostering deeper collaboration between our tourism communities.”
Also present at the ceremony were H.E. Dato’ Tan Yang Thai, Ambassador of Malaysia to Vietnam, and H.E. Meynardo LB. Montealegre, Ambassador of the Philippines to Vietnam, who both emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation in post-pandemic tourism recovery and sustainable growth.
The MoU with MATA was signed alongside a separate agreement between DATA and the Calabarzon Alliance of Independent Tour Operators (CAITO) from the Philippines—highlighting Da Nang’s ambition to become a central tourism hub within ASEAN.
The ASEAN Connect Conference, themed “Opportunities to Enhance Cooperation between Da Nang and ASEAN Partners”, served as a platform for city-to-city diplomacy, trade promotion, and regional tourism partnerships.
This collaboration underscores the increasing role of tourism associations in driving forward ASEAN’s tourism integration agenda and promoting people-to-people connectivity.
Tags: Dr. Khalid Harun, Da Nang Tourism Association (DATA), Cao Tri Dung, Malaysia Tourism Agency Association (MATA)
