Athens on new years eve

Bangkok (VNA) – The acute respiratory disease caused by a novel coronavirus (COVID-19) may subside in the second half of 2020 or earlier, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports Pipat Ratchakitprakan said on February 23, expecting that the country’s tourism would recover after its Songkran New Year festival. Speaking at an event in Phatthalung province, Pipat stated that the disease has had serious impact on Thailand. "Although the virus has caused damage to the tourism industry in the first half of the year, I am confident the situation will return to normal in the second half or after the Songkran Festival, when China will likely produce a vaccine against it," he added. According to him, when the summer comes, coronavirus will not be able to withstand the heat and the situation in many countries, including Thailand, will improve. He shared that the government is preparing to introduce financial measures to help disease-affected businesses. Thailand served … [Read more...] about Thailand expects tourism to recover after new year festival

Vu The Du, a parishioner, said the new church would have a similar design to the old. The statue of Jesus at the top of its facade will be placed in exactly the same position, he added. … [Read more...] about New Bui Chu Cathedral to retain former glory

Gushing about its beauty and architecture, the group said it "cannot begin to describe the intangible historical values that this particular cathedral possesses." They stressed that with renovations in 1974 and 2000, the cathedral is "strongly built to stand for centuries." … [Read more...] about Controversy over 135-year-old church swings towards demolition again

Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodia is planning to build a new container seaport in Preah Sihanouk province with financial assistance from Japan, Minister of Public Works and Transport Sun Chanthol said last week. A 14.5m-deep port, funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), will soon be built in the southern province, he told a press conference. The container port will service about 93 percent of all large vessels travelling in the Asia-Pacific region, the Cambodian minister said, adding that cargo from Cambodia will be able to be shipped directly without having to stop at Singapore or Hong Kong (China). Chheang Pich, Director of the General Directorate of Logistics under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, told the Phnom Penh Post that the project is now underway after JICA recently completed the study. The port will facilitate import and export activities in the region and reduce costs, he said. In a previous interview, Director-General of the … [Read more...] about Cambodia plans new container seaport in Preah Sihanouk

Quang Ninh Chairman Nguyen Van Thang said the PM’s new decision has removed bottlenecks to Van Don’s development. "Many investors, Vietnamese and foreign, had studied business opportunities in Van Don but could not go beyond as the legal framework for the zone was incomplete." … [Read more...] about New PM-approved plan for Van Don EZ offers great clarity for investors