The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on Friday plans to develop historical travel routes centered on Bonghwa county. The initiative draws on the story of 13th-century Vietnamese prince Ly Long Tuong to attract visitors from Vietnam.
Bonghwa County in North Gyeongsang Province is the burial site of Prince Ly Long Tuong, who fled a palace coup in Vietnam during the 13th century and settled in the Goryeo Kingdom. After Vietnamese officials highlighted the site during an April bilateral summit, the government decided to connect the developing K-Vietnam Valley with nearby UNESCO sites including Buseoksa Temple and Hahoe Village.
A familiarization tour for Vietnamese travel agencies, Vietnam Airlines executives and VTV producers begins on Monday. Lee Chang-kun, Vietnam’s tourism ambassador to Korea and a 26th-generation descendant of the prince, will join the delegation.
"This project marks a vital turning point in expanding the reach of K-tourism into smaller rural areas," a Culture Ministry official said. "By unearthing compelling local histories that resonate deeply with international travelers, we hope to decentralize tourism demand and breathe new vitality into local economies."
