Foreign tourists visit Ho Chi Minh City's Post Office. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – Travel firms in Ho Chi Minh City have launched tours between Vietnam and China as soon as China decided to include Vietnam in the list of countries to which Chinese group tours can be conducted from March 15. According to the city’s businesses, more Chinese tourist groups will arrive in the city this month and April will be the peak time marking the return of Chinese tourists to Vietnam. On the contrary, the number of Vietnamese tourists booking tours to China will also increase, helping to stimulate demand in the tourism markets of the two countries in the coming time. The forecast is based on the huge tourism demand of Chinese tourists after about three years of disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Vietnam being one of the Chinese tourists’ favourite destinations. In addition, Vietnamese businesses have developed high-quality and oriented products and services for specific tourist … [Read more...] about HCM City’s tourism shows positive signs with return of Chinese visitors
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N.A. Vice Chairman visits RoK, meets host leaders
At the meeting on March 21, the RoK N.A. speaker noted that the relations between Vietnam and the RoK have been developing strongly, highlighting the elevation of bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in December 2022. He stressed that during his meetings with key leaders of the Vietnamese Party, Government and National Assembly during his visit to Vietnam last January, he noticed that both sides have been aware of the great potential of bilateral cooperation. Kim extended an invitation to N.A. Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and legislators of Vietnam to attend a forum for ASEAN and Korean leaders, slated for June in the RoK’s Jeju Island. For his part, Hai affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to the relations with the RoK and suggested the two sides maintain all-level delegation exchanges and meetings, saying coordination and sharing of views on the bilateral cooperation as well as the regional and international situation would help deepen relations between their … [Read more...] about N.A. Vice Chairman visits RoK, meets host leaders
Vietnam calls for stronger ASEAN – E.U. relations
Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao, who is also head of Vietnam's Delegation to the E.U., made the statement at a workshop to review the relations between ASEAN and E.U. over the last four decades in Brussels on March 21. Speaking on behalf of ASEAN at the discussion on trade cooperation, Thao highlighted the great potential for the two sides to further step up trade cooperation, which he said is a driver of the ASEAN - E.U. relations. According to the diplomat, the two sides are now the third largest trade partners of each other. They have mutual complementarity in key export products, and at the same time have the needs and policies to diversify supply chains. The E.U. is also the second biggest foreign investor in ASEAN with more than 380 billion EUR invested in ASEAN as of 2021. He proposed that the two sides should set up a free trade agreement (FTA) on the basis of bilateral FTAs that the E.U. has signed with ASEAN member nations, including Vietnam. The … [Read more...] about Vietnam calls for stronger ASEAN – E.U. relations
Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism shows positive signs with return of Chinese visitors
According to the city’s businesses, more Chinese tourist groups will arrive in the city this month and April will be the peak time marking the return of Chinese tourists to Vietnam. On the contrary, the number of Vietnamese tourists booking tours to China will also increase, helping to stimulate demand in the tourism markets of the two countries in the coming time. The forecast is based on the huge tourism demand of Chinese tourists after about three years of disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Vietnam being one of the Chinese tourists’ favorite destinations. In addition, Vietnamese businesses have developed high-quality and oriented products and services for specific tourist segments. Accompanying the business community, the city’s Department of Tourism has just coordinated with the Zhangjiajie city People's Committee in China’s Hunan province and the Vietnam Global International Travel Group Joint Stock Company to organize a tourism promotion conference in Zhangjiajie … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism shows positive signs with return of Chinese visitors
Vietnamese stylist to work with Fan Bingbing
The 33-year-old stylist said the project is part of a series of activities marking Bingbing's return this year. Kye will work as a stylist for Bingbing in photoshoots for magazine covers. Kye sent his profile to Bingbing’s agent in late 2022 and received a work invitation in February. He’s set to be in Beijing from April 15 to April 20 to work with the famous actress in photoshoots. "In addition to outfits from famous fashion houses, I want to take this chance to introduce Vietnamese designs to international stars," Kye said. Fan Bingbing in a gown designed by Tony Ward at the Oscars on March 13, 2023. Photo by Fan Bingbing Studio Currently, Kye is spending time learning basic Chinese so that he can communicate with Bingbing at work. He said he’s not under pressure because he has worked on many projects before. Bingbing caught the attention of the public when she appeared at a fashion event in the United States this month, following a five-year hiatus after being … [Read more...] about Vietnamese stylist to work with Fan Bingbing
Lotte switches focus after cancellation of warehouse development in Dong Nai
Property arm Lotte Land last month said it would cease plans for the Lotte Eco Logis Dong Nai, which was granted an investment certificate only in November 2022. illustration photo/source baodautu.vn In a document dated March 2, Dong Nai Industrial Zones Management Board stated that Lotte Land had sent an official document on cancelling the project in Nhon Trach Industrial Zone VI from February 17. The board requested the investor to liquidate the project and fulfill all obligations related to the operation of the enterprise in accordance with the law. Younggun Ko, a director of Lotte Land, told VIR that various circumstances and investment plans related to this project had been changed, leading to the cancellation. Ko added that the move would not make much of an impact on the business of Lotte Land, and its general business strategy would remain the same. Lotte Mall Hanoi, a $600 million facility, is still expected to open in August and will include a hotel, … [Read more...] about Lotte switches focus after cancellation of warehouse development in Dong Nai
Italy – Vietnam relationship “strongly rooted in history”: Ambassador
The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the National Associated Press Agency of Italy (ANSA) sign a professional cooperation agreement at an online ceremony held in Hanoi on February 20. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Antonio Alessandro cited Italian President Sergio Mattarella's words as saying that the relationship between the two countries “strongly rooted in history” while granting an interview to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (March 23, 1973 - 2023). The following is the full text of the interview. Reporter: How do you evaluate the relations between Vietnam and Italy since the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic ties 50 years ago, especially since the upgrading of the relationship to a strategic partnership in January 2013? Ambassador Antonio Alessandro : I would use the words of the President of the Italian Republic Sergio Mattarella, who has just released a … [Read more...] about Italy – Vietnam relationship “strongly rooted in history”: Ambassador
Friendship sub-associations practically help with Italy – Vietnam ties: insider
Renato Darsie (R), Chairman of the Italy - Vietnam Friendship Sub-Association in Veneto , presents the right to use the Vietnamese cultural centre to a representative of Vietnamese students in May 2022. (Photo: VNA) Rome (VNA) – With multiple-year experiences, the Italy - Vietnam friendship sub-associations in regions of the European country can make practical contributions to the friendship and cooperation between the two countries by providing information on Vietnam to Italian people and businesses. So said Renato Darsie, Chairman of the Italy - Vietnam Friendship Sub-Association in the Veneto region, in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency. He described the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship (March 23, 1973 - 2023) as an important milestone marking the growing friendship and political, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries. Bilateral relations over the last 50 years are those of solidarity and friendship across the board as … [Read more...] about Friendship sub-associations practically help with Italy – Vietnam ties: insider
Indonesia hastens ASEAN’s adoption of regional QR Code
Jakarta (VNA) – The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) has called for the adoption of the ASEAN Quick Response (QR) Code by all ASEAN countries at the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (BAC) meeting. The transactions carried out via ASEAN QR Code will use local currencies, KADIN Chaiman Arsjad Rasjid said after chairing the ASEAN-BAC meeting in Magelang district, Central Java of Indonesia, on March 22. He said that if a transaction is conducted in Indonesia, it will use the rupiah. Likewise, if it is conducted in Thailand, it will use the Thai baht, and so on, he explained. The QR code adoption will also reduce the cost of transactions, thus it can be the key for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and bigger business players in ASEAN to collaborate, he said. The ASEAN QR Code is one of the comprehensive legacy programs promoted by KADIN as a solution to strengthen digital transformation in ASEAN, which is one of the five ASEAN-BAC priority … [Read more...] about Indonesia hastens ASEAN’s adoption of regional QR Code
Thailand arrests phone scam gang targeting elderly Americans
Bangkok (VNA) – Thai police on March 22 announced that they had arrested 20 suspects, including five Indians and 15 Thais, for alleged involvement in a phone scam network preying on elderly Americans. According to local police, the scammers were arrested in Chon Buri, Rayong, Roi Et and Surat Thani on March 21, adding that all five of the Indian suspects were men and 11 of the 15 Thais detained were women. The police also seized 162 bank account books, 61 mobile phones, two cars, one pistol, land title deeds and other assets. The investigation dates back to last year, when US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Secret Service agents informed Thai police that Indian cyber criminals and Thai nationals had set up a phone scam network to trick elderly people in US into transferring money to them. The fraudsters, pretending to be US law-enforcement officials, preyed on the fear of their victims by telling them that they were being investigated for alleged money … [Read more...] about Thailand arrests phone scam gang targeting elderly Americans