Vietnam Delegation Visits Department | Western Cape Government

News

Vietnam Delegation Visits Department

28 May 2013

On Thursday, 23 May 2013, a delegation from the National Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism in Vietnam visited the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport (DCAS) to discuss opportunities to improve sport through major sporting events.

The delegation used the visit to learn from Cape Town’s successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and exchanged knowledge and experience as Vietnam prepares for hosting the 2019 Asian Games (ASIAD). Members also visited Pretoria on Wednesday, 22 May 2013, to exchange similar ideas and knowledge with the national Department of Tourism and the National Heritage Council.

The Head of DCAS Mr Brent Walters warmly welcomed the delegation and explained the functions of the department. He said DCAS is committed to achieve the vision of an active, creative and social inclusive province. DCAS staff did presentations on sport and recreation, and on culture and heritage.

Head of the Vietnamese delegation Mr Vu Xuan Thanh said he was impressed by what he had seen and heard. “We share similar functions and aims in relation to culture, sport and tourism. We hope we can learn from the DCAS Mass participation, Opportunity and access, Development and growth (MOD) programme, which keeps youth occupied in sport, recreational and cultural activities after school on weekdays,” he said.

Mr Thanh praised the school sport and heritage structures in the Western Cape, and expressed confidence that Vietnam can learn from DCAS in order to improve its own efforts in these areas. “We’ve had meaningful discussions with various organisations, which we believe will assist us in hosting successful future major events,” he said.

The delegation visited heritage sites as well as the Cape Town Stadium before they left the country on Sunday, 26 May 2013. The visit showed that DCAS can benefit from the international exchange of ideas relating to cultural affairs, sport and recreation, better together.

Media Enquiries: 

Daniel Johnson
Spokesperson for the Minister
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 3261
E-mail: Daniel.Johnson@westerncape.gov.za

or

Tania Colyn
Acting Head of Communication Service
Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport
Tel: 021 483 9877
E-mail: Tania.Colyn@westerncape.gov.za