Like so many others in Lam Dong Province and other rural areas of southern Vietnam, Toan saw the value of his agricultural land skyrocket in 2020-2021. He took it as an opportunity to start flipping properties for profit. But the market froze last year and short-term loans at high interest rates have now sunk him and many other farmers-turned-inexperienced-traders in impossible debt instead. The veteran coffee grower sold his land 7 km from the center of Di Linh District for several billions of dong in profit during a property price bubble in 2021. He then took out short-term, high-interest loans and used them plus money he made from his land sale to by several more plots he planned to resell for profit in what he thought would be at most 1-2 months. He said he thought he’d be able to sell some of the land back in even just a couple of weeks. But the properties still haven’t sold. In early 2022, Toan poured another VND15 billion ($635,600), including VND6 billion from another … [Read more...] about Debt buries farmers trying to flip property in frozen market
Ho chi minh city international university
Problems must be settled for Long Thanh airport construction: Prime Minister
During a working session with ministries, agencies, localities and stakeholders of the project after making a fact-finding trip earlier the same day to the construction site, he assigned them to responsibility for the work under their watch and solve existing issues. The Government has directed the establishment of a working group led by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to oversee and speed up the project, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh revealed. At the construction site, he asked ministries, agencies, localities and investor to hasten the implementation of the project, with quality guaranteed. Covering a total area of more than 5,580 hectares, the Long Thanh international airport will spread across six communes in Long Thanh district, Dong Nai province. The airport’s total investment is VND 336.63 trillion (USD 14.6 billion), with construction divided into three phases. In the first phase, a runway and one passenger terminal along with other supporting facilities will be … [Read more...] about Problems must be settled for Long Thanh airport construction: Prime Minister
2023 a promising year for tourism: official
Statistics released by the VNAT on January 29 showed that over 871,000 foreigners arrived in Vietnam in January, up 23.2% month-on-month. Of them, 91.9% travelled by air, 7.5% by road, and 0.6% by sea. Tourism revenue during the month was estimated at VND 2.2 trillion (USD 95.6 million), up 113.4% annually. Several localities posted spikes in receipts such as Hai Phong up 541.5%, Da Nang 387.1%, Tien Giang 380.2%, Lao Cai 196.3%, Hanoi 113.8%, and Ho Chi Minh City 98.7%. International flights and maritime travel services have returned to the pre-pandemic level. This year, the VNAT will also partner with the South-central coastal province of Binh Thuan to hold National Tourism Year 2023 themed “Binh Thuan – Green convergence,” which is expected to attract more domestic and foreign tourists. Recently, the VNAT’s Tourism Information Center debuted the first 2023 video clip “Golf Tourism - Enjoying every moment" in a media campaign entitled “Vietnam: Travel to Love,” introducing … [Read more...] about 2023 a promising year for tourism: official
2022 destination selection trend of Vietnamese tourists
Costume of Ha Nhi ethnic people in Ha Giang province. (Photo: VietnamPlus) It is hoped that 2022 will be a more optimistic year for the tourism sector. A survey revealed that up to 80 percent of Vietnamese people said they are planning vacations to make up for what the COVID-19 pandemic has deprived them of, and 43 percent said they want to experience a lesser-known place, instead of the destinations too familiar to them. It is also noteworthy that booking by tourists in Vietnam to share popular destinations is becoming a dominating trend. Ethnic minority culture paradise Up to 84 percent of Vietnamese tourists said they want to visit Meo Vac in Ha Giang province. It is a small but attractive valley in the northeast, surrounded by limestone mountains and inhabited by H’Mong and Ha Nhi ethnic groups, boasting a unique dish – thang co – cooked from the inner organs of cattle, of which 70 percent of Vietnamese tourists said they want to try during their 2022 tours. For … [Read more...] about 2022 destination selection trend of Vietnamese tourists
Mekong Delta – An ideal destination for foreign visitors
A boat carries tourists on a sightseeing tour of the Tram Chim National Park in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap. (Photo: VNA) Can Tho (VNA) – Boasting a network of canals, immense rice fields and fruit orchards, the Mekong Delta has become a favourite destination for foreign visitors who wish to explore the life on the water and the original culture of the southwestern region . Located on the lower part of the Mekong River with rich alluvial soil, interlacing canal networks, and temperate climate, the region has the best conditions for growing fruit trees. It is the country’s largest fruit growing area with fruits such as rambutan, mango, durian, longan, guava, orange, and plum. Many orchards in the Mekong Delta are known nationwide, including Cai Be, Vinh Kim and Cho Gao in Tien Giang province; Cai Mon in Ben Tre; Cu Lao An Binh in Vinh Long; and My Khanh in Can Tho city. These orchards have not only brought in agricultural income, but have become … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta – An ideal destination for foreign visitors
Retail sales of goods, services up 20% in January
Vietnam ’s total retail sales of goods and services in January is estimated at 544.8 trillion VND (23.22 billion USD), up 5.2% from the previous month and 20% as compared with the same period last year. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s total retail sales of goods and services in January was estimated at 544.8 trillion VND (23.22 billion USD), up 5.2% from the previous month and 20% as compared with the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO). The office explained that the hike was attributed to the growing consumption demand as Tet ( Lunar New Year ), the biggest and longest festival in the Southeast Asian nation, fell in the month. Of the total, the retail sales of goods were 435.4 trillion VND, a year-on-year rise of 18.1%, with the biggest increase seen in garments (27%). The revenue from lodging and catering services reached 56 trillion VND, representing a year-on-year rise 37.3%. Notably, tourism raked in 2.2 trillion VND, a … [Read more...] about Retail sales of goods, services up 20% in January
Co To island a top choice of holidaymakers
A fishing village on Co To island. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – With beautiful and pristine beaches, unique “check-in” corners and hospitality of local residents, in recent years, Co To island in the northern province of Quang Ninh has become a top choice for travel lovers. Extremely important position in security-defence Almost all islands in Vietnam hold an extremely important position in defence and security; however, Co To has its own characteristics which are a rich floral ecosystem, beautiful natural landscapes and locals’ cultural identities. Co To is formerly known as Chang Son (Chang Mountain) or “Cau Dau” in some old books which means a place with many mountains gathering at the middle of the sea. The island district has an area of 46.2sq.km with about 50 islands, in which Big Co To and Small Co To are the two most famous islands with pristine beaches and landscapes. At present, Big Co To has primeval forests with an area of 10ha. Many streets on the … [Read more...] about Co To island a top choice of holidaymakers
Art exchange held in celebration of the Party’s 93th anniversary
The event was attended by President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics Nguyen Xuan Thang, Head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education Nguyen Trong Nghia, and Deputy Chief of the General Department of Political Affairs (GDP) Lieutenant General Trinh Van Quyet. The program had three parts, recalling the construction and development of the Communist Party of Vietnam. It has passed 93 springs, promoting its pioneering role and deserving the trust of the country and people. The event showed the determination of the whole Party, people and military in the cause of Party’s construction and reinforcement, contributing to promoting the Party’s leadership capability, among others. Translated by Minh Anh … [Read more...] about Art exchange held in celebration of the Party’s 93th anniversary
Market’s uptrend may slow down in the near future
Employees of HCM City Securities Corporation (HSC). The market's uptrend in the near future may slow down and the risk of correction is increasing. — Photo HSC The market's uptrend in the near future may slow down and the risk of correction is increasing, brokerages have said. The market's gaining momentum lingered in the first session of the Year of the Cat, said Viet Dragon Securities Co. However, the uptrend somewhat slowed down before the profit-taking supply, as shown by the Shooting Star candle. On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, the VN-Index gained 0.81 per cent, to close Friday at 1,117.10 points. On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange, the HNX-Index rose 0.40 per cent to close Friday at 220.76 points. “Market still remained in green at the end of the session, showing that the pressure of supply is not great. It is expected that the market will temporarily step back in the next session to find a balance after the recent rise,” said Viet Dragon Securities Co. “Therefore, … [Read more...] about Market’s uptrend may slow down in the near future
At California gun fair, few speak of recent massacres
With ammunition, rifles and bullet-proof vests on display, business is brisk at a Los Angeles area gun show -- so much so you'd never know a mass shooting unfolded nearby just days ago. Thousands of people turned out this weekend in the city of Ontario in California to view dozens of stands at the trade fair called the Crossroads of the West Gun Show. Women pushing baby strollers looked at small pistols while strapping young men examined military-style semi-automatic riles that can handle several calibers of ammo. The vibe is cheerful. Kids under 12 get in free. Most people did not want to address the elephant in the room, though, even as the state mourns. Kids look at magazines in a firearms and accessories shop at the Crossroads of the West Gun Show at the Convention Center in Ontario, California, on January 28, 2023. Photo: AFP A mass shooting at a dance hall in Monterey Park, a 30-minute drive away, left 11 dead on September 21. Two days later, another … [Read more...] about At California gun fair, few speak of recent massacres