Lunar new year greetings

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

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has ordered state agencies to prepare grand events and ensure safety with many foreign tourists expected to flock to one of the country's biggest festivals, Bangkok Post reported. Some 20 million people are expected to travel around the country between April 13 and 15 when the New Year is celebrated. The police have urged both Thai and foreign tourists to install their mobile app called "Tourist Police i lert u" to file complaints or call in an emergency. During Songkran, which falls in mid-April annually, crowds pack the streets for boisterous celebrations, which involves spraying water guns and hurling water off pick-up trucks. But to contain Covid, the government canceled celebrations for the last three years. … [Read more...] about Thailand expects 20 million travelers during Songkran holidays

Although Vietnam reopened its door to international tourists over a year ago, small and medium lodging facilities in Ho Chi Minh City are still struggling to recover due to the small number of international visitors. Their largest source market is China while the number of guests from the northern neighbor remains modest, forcing many hotels to use their facilities for other purposes or stop leasing spaces. Shutdown, falling room occupancy In District 1, many hotels which used to be crowded with foreign travelers are now empty or have been replaced by other businesses. On Ly Tu Trong Street, a spacious hotel is being repurposed. The hotel is in a prime site, near Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, and Le Loi Boulevard, once favored by international tourists. Many 'House for Lease' signboards can also be seen along Bui Vien Walking Street and De Tham Street with many of them being hung in front of small, one- and two-star hotels. The director of a chain of … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City hotels waiting for int’l guests

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

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

Phu Quoc Island is an ideal choice for travel and long-term relaxation, with a complete visa exemption policy for international visitors, a temporary stay of up to 30 days, a rich natural environment, and pleasant architecture. Phu Quoc is famous for its beautiful and dreamlike beaches. Foreigners and Vietnamese holding foreign passports benefited from a 30-day stay on Phu Quoc island exempt from requiring visas from July 1, 2020. Foreigners can enter Vietnam by air or sea and stay in transit and then transfer directly to Phu Quoc Island without requiring a visa. Hon Thom cable car, the longest of its kind in the world, is in the South of Phu Quoc island. As an isolated island located in the Gulf of Thailand, located off the southwest of mainland Vietnam, the means of transportation to Phu Quoc are very convenient with air, sea, and land routes. Tourists can use Phu Quoc International Airport Border Gate, Ha Tien International Border Gate, and … [Read more...] about Phu Quoc attracts international tourists thanks to superior visa policies

Tourists experience making clay arrows on the opening ceremony of  the Hanoi Tourism Festival 2023 on March 24 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) themed “Cultural tourism” will take place on April 13-16 at the Cultural Friendship Palace in Hanoi, featuring 450 pavilions from over 50 localities nationwide, and 15 countries and territories aroundthe world. The event is expected to attract over 60,000 visitors, and representatives from 2,500 businesses, that are interested in seeking cooperation opportunities and partners. Speaking at a press conference in Hanoi on March 28 to announce the event, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association Vu The Binh said this year’s event aims to encourage travel firms to invest in developing new tourism products through making the most of unique traditional culture and culture heritage values of Vietnam. The difference in culture, customs, production activities, and daily life of 54 ethnic groups … [Read more...] about Vietnam International Travel Mart 2023 to spotlight cultural tourism

The event is expected to attract over 60,000 visitors, and representatives from 2,500 businesses, that are interested in seeking cooperation opportunities and partners. Speaking at a press conference in Hanoi on March 28 to announce the event, Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association Vu The Binh said this year’s event aims to encourage travel firms to invest in developing new tourism products through making the most of unique traditional culture and culture heritage values of Vietnam. The difference in culture, customs, production activities, and daily life of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam is always attractive to domestic and international tourists, Binh stressed, expressing his hope that VITM 2023 will help bring tourism into an important part of the cultural industry, thus contributing to preserving the value of Vietnamese cultural heritage. Within the event's framework, a forum on Vietnamese cultural tourism development will be held on April 14, with the participation of … [Read more...] about Vietnam International Travel Mart 2023 to spotlight culture tourism

A durian farm in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau's Chau Duc District. — VNA/VNS Photo The export of Vietnamese durian to China through the official channel since September 2022 opened up new prospects for Viet Nam's fruit and vegetable industry. According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD), Viet Nam has over 100,000 ha of durian with an annual output of about 1.3 million tonnes. However, only 3,000 ha (3 per cent) of the total meet standards for export to China. The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang and the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak have the largest durian areas meeting export standards in the country. According to the Deputy General Director of Dung Thai Son Import-Export Company, Vu Ngoc Huy, China is a large market with a strong durian consumption capacity. The firm can export 500,000 tonnes of fresh durian per year, accounting for over one-third of the total durian output of the country, Huy said. La Tran … [Read more...] about Durian to make breakthrough for Viet Nam’s fruit exports