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Two local travel bloggers, Quy Coc Tu (Ngo Tran Hai An) and Duong Vu, went on an expedition tour to Hang Va (Va Cave), which features a diverse range of stunning stalactites and stalagmites in Quang Binh Province, north-central Vietnam. With a total length of 1.7 kilometers, Va Cave is part of the cavern system found in the UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. A pathway to Va Cave in the UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province, north-central Vietnam. Photo: Ngo Tran Hai An The cave is some 50 meters away from the exit of Son Doong Cave, which is considered the world’s largest known cave. Va Cave is home to numerous cone-shaped, unique, and strikingly beautiful stalactites. Inside Va Cave in Quang Binh Province, north-central Vietnam. Photo: Ngo Tran Hai An When the rainy season ends, rainwater seeps into the ground and through underground waterways to enter the cave, forming extremely unique underground … [Read more...] about In photos: This million-year-old cave in central Vietnam boasts incredibly beautiful stalactites

Local authorities will maintain inspection works at key areas, including Noi Bai International Airport, Yen Vien train station, ports, wholesale markets and shopping malls. Hanoi’s Steering Committee for Combating Smuggling, Commercial Fraud and Counterfeit Goods, known as Steering Committee 389, has announced its plan to intensify efforts to combat smuggling and trade frauds before, during and after the 2021 Lunar New Year holiday. Local authorities would maintain inspection works at key areas. Under the plan, the city’s Steering Committee 389 will enhance inspection works at key areas, including Noi Bai International Airport, Yen Vien train station, ports, wholesale markets, and shopping malls. The committee is set to mobilize personnel and resources to set up checkpoints at roads, railways, airports to prevent movement of smuggled, fake and low-quality products into the country. This is particularly important for the control of banned items or items that … [Read more...] about Hanoi intensifies efforts to combat smuggling and trade frauds ahead of Tet holiday

Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Installing Vessel Monitoring System ( VMS ) equipment and supervising their operations play an important role in removing the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood. According to the Directorate of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the national fisheries database (Vnfishbase) shows that as many as 223 fishing boats in localities have yet to install the VMS equipment although their operating licences are still valid. Nguyen Quang Hung, deputy head of the Directorate of Fisheries, urged localities to work to ensure that all of the remaining fishing vessels are equipped with the device. The number of fishing boats that have been disconnected for more than one year reaches 2,335 to date, accounting for 8% of the vessels equipped with the device, he added. Such boasts should be monitored closely like those without the VMS equipment, he stressed. Hung pointed … [Read more...] about Close supervision over VMS equipment needed to fight IUU fishing

The "We are ABLE" project aims to strengthen the ability of children from ethnic minorities, especially girls, to overcome the challenges they face. The Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union on March 28 announced Phase II of the project "We are ABLE - Promoting Gender Equality and Girls' Education for Children in Ethnic Minority Areas of Viet Nam". The launching ceremony of UNESCO’s “We are ABLE” project occurred on March 28 in Hanoi. Photos: UNESCO Vietnam According to Christian Manhart, UNESCO Representative in Vietnam, the project is expected to contribute to the Vietnamese Government's new 10-year Strategic Plan for Education Development, the Strategy for Ethnic Minority Development, and the national commitment to achieving Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 4 on education and Goal 5 on gender equality. In Vietnam, ethnic minorities are often disadvantaged compared to the majority population due to stereotypes and other cultural barriers. … [Read more...] about UNESCO continues fund for gender equality project in Vietnam

In 2022, two-way trade between Yunnan (China) and the bordering provinces of Vietnam is expected to reach US$3.25 billion. The provincial authorities of Vietnam's Lao Cai and China's Yunnan agreed on March 28 to take necessary measures to lift their comprehensive ties, especially trade. A truck that links Lao Cai and Yunnan Province passes the Kim Thanh II International Border Gate. Photo: The Hanoi Times "The comprehensive partnership between Lao Cai and Yunnan has improved tremendously in recent years, but it has not reached its full potential," said Hoang Quoc Khanh, permanent vice chairman of the Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee. Khanh suggested that Yunnan authorities further relax regulations and facilitate cross-border trade and travel between the two nations to improve bilateral relations. The Lao Cai official said Chinese authorities should restore trade and travel activities to pre-pandemic levels. He also urged the Chinese government to … [Read more...] about Lao Cai and Yunnan provinces agree to strengthen bilateral ties

Locals and visitors to Hanoi in mid-April will be able to immerse themselves in traditional French culture and enjoy exquisite dishes, fine wines, and fresh fruits from France. Vietnam's largest French food festival - Balade en France, or Walk in France - will hold a special edition from April 14 to 16, according to the French Embassy in Vietnam. The poster of the “Balade en France” Festival 2023 This year's festival will be co-hosted by the Embassy and the Hanoi People's Committee, following the success of its two previous editions in 2018 and 2020. It will occur at the Ly Thai To Square and the surrounding area, Speaking at the press conference on March 28, Nicolas Warnery, French Ambassador to Vietnam, said that this large-scale public event is part of celebrating the 50th anniversary of French-Vietnamese diplomatic relations, showcasing French gastronomy. "To celebrate the important milestone of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France, which … [Read more...] about Balade en France gastronomic festival – Walking in France in the heart of Hanoi

In 2019, the authorities were able to handle major cases of smuggling and selling of counterfeit products, a fact that was not possible in the past. The Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) identified 90,000 cases of trade fraud and smuggling, and issued nearly VND670 billion (US$28.96 million) in fines in 2019, up 7,700 cases and VND180 billion (US$7.78 million) in fines year-on-year, the governmental portal reported. Overview of the meeting. Source: Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance. During the year, the agency collected nearly VND500 billion (US$21.61 million) for the state budget, confiscated goods and products worth over VND170 billion (US$7.34 million) and destroyed smuggled and faked goods worth over VND120 billion (US$5.18 million). Tran Huu Linh, director general of the Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance, said at a meeting on January 13, that in 2019, the authorities were able to … [Read more...] about Vietnam authority identifies 90,000 cases of trade fraud in 2019

The event will be co-organized by the Vietnam Association of Film Promotion and Development, the authorities of Da Nang, and the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema. The festival will select and honor outstanding Asian and Vietnamese cinematographic works with humanistic values, new discoveries and unique artistic expression; encourage new talents of Vietnamese and Asian cinema; and widely introduce to the public new, high-value cinematographic works of Asian and Vietnamese cinemas and selected films of the world. The opening and closing ceremonies will be held on May 9 and May 13, respectively, with film screenings available at Le Do theater in Da Nang. Awards for DANAFF 2023 will also be presented during the closing ceremony. The festival will showcase more than 40 Vietnamese and international films, of which 14 movies will compete in the Asian film category, with grand prizes on offer for the best movie, the best director, the best actor, the best actress, and the best … [Read more...] about First Da Nang Asian Film Festival to take place in May

The fire broke out shortly before midnight at the National Migration Institute (INM) facility in Ciudad Juarez, prompting the mobilization of firefighters and dozens of ambulances. An AFP journalist saw forensic personnel remove a dozen bodies from the INM's parking lot, where several other bodies were laid and covered with blankets. "The National Migration Institute (INM) of the Interior Ministry regrets the deaths -- so far -- of 39 foreign migrants, caused by a fire," an INM statement said. A rescuer, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said there were about 70 migrants, mostly Venezuelans, at the center. Numerous migrants have been detained in the center in recent days after local authorities rounded up street vendors, some of whom were foreigners, from the area. A Venezuelan woman who gave her name as Viangly stood outside the immigration center, desperate for information about her 27-year-old husband who had been detained … [Read more...] about At least 39 killed in fire at Mexico-US border migrant center

Property developers should focus on social housing and workers’ housing instead of high-end properties, according to the Prime Minister, who added that "real estate companies should restructure their products and market segments to lower housing and land prices." PM Chinh asked ministries to clear away legal obstacles facing property projects, especially those that issue corporate bonds, use bank loans, or mobilize capital from home buyers. He urged the State Bank of Vietnam to quickly implement an approved credit package of VND120 trillion (US$5.1 billion) for the development of social housing and housing projects for workers, and the renovation of old apartment blocks. Under the package, loan interest rates for buyers or developers of social housing projects and worker housing projects will be 1.5-2% lower than average bank lending rates. The central bank has also been tasked with lowering interest rates at commercial banks. The increasing costs of land, materials, labor, … [Read more...] about Prime Minister calls for more affordable housing