Boosterism approach in tourism planning

"With the approaching summer holidays and potential easing of visa restrictions, which are under considerations by the National Assembly, Vietnam will likely see a punchier boost from international tourism, a much-needed support for its sharply slowing economy," HSBC said in a report. Vietnam has received 4.6 million international tourists so far this year, around 60% of this year’s target of 8 million. In May alone, it received over 916,000 foreign tourist arrivals. Despite falling slightly from April’s figure, Vietnam has seen its inbound tourism recovery reach around 70% of pre-pandemic levels. Tourists from China, the biggest feeder market of Vietnam’s tourism before the pandemic, have recovered to 35% of pre-pandemic levels. Legislators will vote on new bill on June 24 that seeks to extend the validity of e-visas from 30 days to a maximum of three months and allow multiple entries, and triple to 45 days the duration of visa-free stays for tourists from certain … [Read more...] about Vietnam tourism forecast to see robust growth as visa restrictions relaxed: HSBC

A 17-year-old boy in La Gi Town, Binh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam has been arrested for attempting to kill his parents with pesticide after they banned him from having a relationship with a girl. The La Gi People’s Procuracy on Wednesday said it had approved a decision to keep T.A.K. in custody. T.A.K. and P.T.T.T., both 17-year-old residents of La Gi Town, are in a relationship which took a rough turn when K. took T. to his house and his parents began insulting the couple. The couple then made plans to kill the boy’s parents. On Thursdsay last week, K. and T. picked up a bottle of pesticide and poured it into an empty water bottle. K. then brought the bottle home. At about 6:00 pm that day, K. poured the pesticide into a soup pot on the table while his mother was cooking. The mother smelt the pesticide and reported the case to local police. K. and his girlfriend admitted that they had poured the pesticide into the soup in order to kill K.’s parents. Local … [Read more...] about Teenage boy detained for plans to poison parents with pesticide in Vietnam

Quang Binh Province, famous for cave tours, is offering a new travel experience that allows tourists to slide down a 600-metre-long line amidst a hidden valley inside Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Quang Binh, home to UNESCO heritage site Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, is famous for its pristine caves and beautiful tourism sites. Along with famous places such as Thien Duong Cave, Chay River - Dark Cave, Nuoc Mooc Stream, Ngoc Bich Valley in Phong Nha-Ke Bang has become an emerging tourist destination. Ngoc Bich is located in Chay Lap Village, Phuc Trach commune, Bo Trach District. Covering 12 hectares, the valley is surrounded by high mountains, green jungle with Chay River flowing through, creating a beautiful natural landscape in the heart of Quang Binh. The most ideal time to visit Ngoc Bich Valley is in the summer. Due to its location right next to Dark Cave, the valley has a section of the Chay River flowing … [Read more...] about New Quang Binh adventure tour

Local departments and agencies vet 100% of the offices to ensure they're used for legitimate purposes. Hanoi's authorities will no longer be allowed to put public assets into lease, rental, and association contracts, according to a plan to manage public assets for 2023-2030 signed by Mayor Tran Sy Thanh. The building of the Hanoi People's Committee. Photo: The Hanoi Times For their plans to lease the assets, the assets management units will have to obtain the evaluation and approval of higher authorities. The capital city will develop a database to update the information and status of 100% of local public assets and ensure they're used according to purpose. Hanoi will review and reorganize State-owned land and deal with violations committed by agencies and enterprises in the management and use of public property. The city will study feasible plans to develop transportation infrastructure along Ring Road No.4 . In addition, the city … [Read more...] about Hanoi to ban illegitimate renting and leasing of public property

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents in Sydney ahead of the Prime Minister's trip from June 3-4, Thanh said the visit takes place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties and the 5th anniversary of the strategic partnership. This is the second official visit to a Southeast Asian nation by Albanese since he took office, and the third to Vietnam by an Australian Prime Minister, the ambassador said, noting that the trip shows Prime Minister Albanese’s administration attaches importance to Vietnam. Thanh also recalled the visit to Vietnam by Australian Governor-General David Hurley in April, which was his only State-level visit to a Southeast Asian nation, and another trip to Vietnam by Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell in the same month. In June 2022, Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong selected Vietnam as the first ASEAN country to pay an official visit. … [Read more...] about Australian Prime Minister’s Vietnam visit to give impulse to bilateral ties: Ambassador

The government's Private Economic Development Research Board did a survey along with VnExpress on the situation of employees this year at the end of April, polling 8,343 people. It found 31% unemployed, and of them, 53% had worked in real estate, 44% in construction and 43% in hospitality. The highest unemployment rates were reported in Ho Chi Minh City, its neighboring provinces of Dong Nai and Binh Duong and the central city of Da Nang (all over 30%). As for reasons for joblessness, 15% suffer because of lack of foreign language skills and 12% because they lack qualifications. But the main reason is the unfavorable economic situation, which has hit businesses hard. More than 32% said they are jobless because their employer closed down temporarily or for good or went bankrupt, and 27% said they were laid off because their company had no orders and had to downsize. The survey was done in late April 2023 on various aspects like employment, underemployment, housing status, … [Read more...] about People struggle to find jobs amid tanking economy

Indonesia sees 32 billion USD investment in EV battery chain (Photo source:auto.economictimes.indiatimes.com) Jakarta - Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan on May 30 revealed that the country can receive an estimated 31.9 billion USD in investments for project tied to battery supply chain by 2026. According to the minister, with the country rich in nickel used in batteries for electric vehicles (EV), the government wants to see more investment in nickel downstream sectors to boost economic growth. He said the Kalimantan region can receive 12.35 billion USD in investment while North Maluku and Sulawesi can attract 9.78 billion USD and 9.84 billion USD in battery supply chain projects, respectively. To encourage investment from emissions-conscious investors, the Indonesian government has touted the North Kalimantan industrial park on Borneo island as "green”, with a plan to power activities there with hydropower. … [Read more...] about Indonesia sees 32 billion USD investment in EV battery chain

FPT IS teamed up with SAP to introduce the brand-new ERP cloud solution at a seminar last week centred around growing a business with cloud-based solutions. The seminar attracted more than 100 senior leaders from enterprises in various fields such as manufacturing, trade and services, retail, technology, finance and banking, among others, indicating great interest from the market towards the solution. The seminar "Business growth with SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud" was jointly organised by FPT IS and SAP Speaking at the event, Phan Thanh Son, chief business development officer, FPT IS , noted that the uncertainty and constant fluctuations in the market require firms to equip a solid and flexible management system that can adapt to increasingly rapid and diverse systematic changes. In Son's words, “SAP's new ERP cloud solution delivers an open approach for enterprises of all sizes and from different industries to quickly adopt management processes compliant with … [Read more...] about FPT IS and SAP introduce new ERP cloud solution

Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh. (Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in Australia) Hanoi (VNA) – The upcoming visit to Vietnam by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will create momentum for bilateral cooperation in such potential areas as culture, investment, labour and people-to-people exchanges, Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh has said. In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents in Sydney ahead of the PM’s trip from June 3-4, Thanh said the visit takes place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties and the 5th anniversary of the strategic partnership. This is the second official visit to a Southeast Asian nation by PM Albanese since he took office, and the third to Vietnam by an Australian PM, the ambassador said, noting that the trip shows PM Albanese’s administration attaches importance to Vietnam. Thanh also … [Read more...] about Australian PM’s Vietnam visit to give impulse to bilateral ties: Ambassador

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha stressed the need to incentivise the conversion of fossil fuel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles and other types of clean energy . In his conclusions made at a meeting discussing the application of preferential electricity prices at electric vehicle charging stations, Ha said that the transition to green economic development is an inevitable trend and a goal that Vietnam is pursuing. It will also create opportunities for Vietnam to become a pioneer in the region in terms of green growth and recovery, thus keeping pace with the new development trends of the world, he added. The Deputy PM asked the Ministry of Transport to collaborate with the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, Finance, Industry and Trade, Planning and Investment, Science and Technology, and Justice; and related agencies to study international experience, conduct a comprehensive analysis of various … [Read more...] about Deputy PM stresses need to encourage use of electric vehicles