Some 600 new European standard shelters will be built at public bus stops in Hanoi city. Hanoi will allow investors to build advertising boards in exchange for 600 modern bus stop shelters and shelter displays worth VND1 trillion (US$43 million) in 12 urban districts, Kinhtedothi.vn reported. The move is part of efforts to encourage Hanoi’s residents to turn to public transportation for mobility, thus easing the number of cars on road and improving air quality. Hanoi to have 600 new bus stop shelters Currently, there are 1,078 bus stops in Hanoi's downtown, but only 365 of them have shelters. The shelters are built by different investors, which make them apprear ununiform. According to the municipal People's Committee, 600 new European standard shelters will be built at public bus stops in the city under the PPP funding mechanism. Among them, 270 shelters will be newly installed and the other 330 will be replaced. In exchange, 1,200 advertising boards … [Read more...] about Hanoi to allow advertising rights in exchange for 600 bus stop shelters
Northern express bus
50th anniversary of Vietnam-Italy diplomatic ties celebrated in Ho Chi Minh City
In his remarks, Chairman of the People’s Committee Phan Van Mai highlighted the increasingly close ties between the two countries, saying over the past 50 years, the bilateral relationship has grown actively across spheres, both bilaterally and multilaterally. The good traditional friendship has also been consolidated and enhanced, the official added. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam presented Italy with more than 300,000 masks, while Italy donated 2.8 million doses of vaccines to the Southeast Asian nation. This vividly demonstrates the intensive and effective strategic partnership and friendship between the two countries, he said. Ho Chi Minh City, for its part, has actively worked to promote cooperation with Italy, Mai noted, adding that the relations between Ho Chi Minh City and Italy have reaped achievements in trade, investment, education and training, culture, and tourism. According to the official, the two-way trade reached 591 million USD last year. For … [Read more...] about 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Italy diplomatic ties celebrated in Ho Chi Minh City
Lan Ha Bay faces pollution
Lan Ha Bay in the northern city of Haiphong is struggling with pollution, mostly caused by deteriorating styrofoam buoys. Pieces of styrofoam buoys have appeared on Lan Ha Bay since early this month in addition to rubbish that has also been discharged into the bay, worsening the pollution. The area which is adjacent to Ha Long Bay has been the hardest hit. Pieces of styrofoam buoys have worsened Lan Ha Bay's pollution The bay has also recently seen red-orange water areas. A person who specialises in raising groupers in Cat Ba Town said that he witnessed the phenomenon on March 23-24. According to some local fishermen, this would be the phenomenon of red tide, caused by the simultaneous blooming of marine algae, which occasionally appears in the waters of Cat Ba. Red tides can threaten fish. A representative from the Cat Ba Bay management board said that since early March, the pollution has had a bad impact on tourists. The board is focusing on rubbish … [Read more...] about Lan Ha Bay faces pollution
Van Don int’l airport to pilot biometric authentication for passengers
The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has announced that passenger biometric authentication (facial recognition) will be piloted at check-in desks in Van Don international airport in the northern province of Quang Ninh. The Van Don int’l airport will pilot biometric authentication for passengers. - Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) The authority has asked the airport to take measures to prevent congestion and handle situations that arise during the trial period. It also requested the airport to coordinate with relevant agencies and businesses to evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot application regarding aviation security risks and convenience for passengers, and submit monthly reports to the CAAV. Vietjet Air and Hanoi-based Noi Bai international airport’s aviation security centre will worked closely with Van Don international airport and related partners in this scheme. Previously, the CAAV has proposed to the Ministry of Transport on extending the … [Read more...] about Van Don int’l airport to pilot biometric authentication for passengers
Lang Son considers building four routes for panoramic geopark touring
The Dong Lam meadow in Huu Lung district, Lang Son . (Photo: VNA) Lang Son (VNA) – The northern mountainous province of Lang Son is working to complete a report on the addition of tourist attractions to the four sightseeing routes planned for its geopark area ahead of March 30, heard a working session on March 27. The session took place between the Lang Son authorities and a delegation of consultants for developing the geopark into a global one, led by Guy Martini , chairperson of the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council . Chairing the meeting, Permanent Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Duong Xuan Huyen took into account recommendations of the experts. He assigned localities involved to coordinate with the management board of the geopark to complete the report. On March 11-15, the delegation examined the current status of geological heritage, biodiversity, cultural heritage and tourism products in Lang Son city and the six districts of Loc Binh, … [Read more...] about Lang Son considers building four routes for panoramic geopark touring
International Friendship Exchange – Spring 2023 held in Lao Cai
The International Friendship Exchange – Spring 2023 held in Lao Cai. (Photo: VNA) Lao Cai (VNA) – The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), in collaboration with Lao Cai province, held the International Friendship Exchange – Spring 2023 in the northern mountainous province on March 26-27. The event attracted the participation of 150 delegates from foreign embassies, and international organisations, and foreign non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Vietnam. This is an annual activity held by VUFO to create a chance for international friends to visit historical and cultural relic sites and landscapes, and exchange with local authorities and people to learn more about the land, people and culture of Vietnam as well as cooperation opportunities with its localities. Within the framework of this year’s event, delegates climbed up to the top of Mount Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina. VUFO President Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, said that the union … [Read more...] about International Friendship Exchange – Spring 2023 held in Lao Cai
Thailand intensifies measures to fight drug influx
Thailand intensifies measures to fight drug influx (Photo: VNA) Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai army has tightened security along the northern border following reports of greater quantities and varieties of illegal drug s flowing into the country from Myanmar. He added that narcotics production is now faster and cheaper, which makes the product more accessible, especially via online dark web sales. As many as 29 districts, covering provinces in the northern and northeastern regions, have reported recent drug smuggling activity. The Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) has laid charges in 219 narcotics cases since October, with 233 suspects arrested and nearly 432 million THB (nearly 13 million USD) worth of properties seized along the way, he said. Last year, 362,888,336 pills of methamphetamine or ya ba were seized along the northern border as well as 5,418 kg of crystal methamphetamine , or ya ice, and 252kg of heroin , he noted./. VNA … [Read more...] about Thailand intensifies measures to fight drug influx
Thua Thien-Hue, Laos’ Attapeu province strengthen cooperation
Secretary of the Thua Thien - Hue provincial Party Committee Le Truong Luu. (Photo: VNA) Thua Thien-Hue (VNA) – The cooperation between the central province of Thua Thien-Hue and Attapeu province of Laos has been strengthening and generating practical results in fields, Secretary of the Thua Thien - Hue provincial Party Committee Le Truong Luu said on March 27. At a working session with a Lao delegation led by Secretary of the Attapeu Party Committee and Governor of the province Let Xaynhaphon, Luu and his guest informed each other of their local socio-economic developments, administration and Party building work, and cooperation results over the past time. They also discussed cooperation opportunities in the coming time, and affirmed the two sides will further coordinate to finalise a draft cooperation agreement for the 2023-2027 period. They will effectively implement an agreement to manage and protect the borderline, prevent and fight against all kinds of cross-border … [Read more...] about Thua Thien-Hue, Laos’ Attapeu province strengthen cooperation
$42mn coastal route put into use to boost economic development in south-central Vietnam
A coastal route costing nearly VND1 trillion (US$42.5 million) has been put into use for economic development in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam. The coastal route was put into operation in Van Ninh District, Khanh Hoa Province on Monday morning. The road, stretching from National Highway 1 to Dam Mon Peninsula in Van Phong Bay, located in Van Ninh District, is about 14.3 kilometers long and 34 meters wide with six lanes. The project was developed by Van Phong Economic Zone Management Board, and the construction was initiated in 2016. The road was built to create favorable conditions for transport infrastructure in the region, connect Hon Lon Island with other islands in Van Phong Bay, and gradually complete the infrastructure of the northern area of the Van Phong Economic Zone. The first cars to travel on the coastal route in Khanh Hoa Province, Vietmam. Photo: Minh Chien / Tuoi Tre Van Phong to become the center of a green economy At the … [Read more...] about $42mn coastal route put into use to boost economic development in south-central Vietnam
VN-Index extends its long winning streak
Logo of Vietcombank on its trading office in Tran Hung Dao Street, Ha Noi. The bank shares soared 2.25 per cent on Monday, led the market's bullish sentiment. — VNS Photo Ly Ly Cao Benchmark indices opened the week on a positive note, buoyed by the improvement of risk appetite. The VN-Index on the southern bourse Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) ended Monday at 1,052.25 points, a gain of 5.46 points, or 0.52 per cent. It logged a long rising streak of five days with the market's breadth inclining to the uptrend. Meanwhile, liquidity increased slightly, of which over VND9.7 trillion (US$413.2 million) worth, equivalent to nearly 557 million shares, was traded on HoSE. The VN30-Index also advanced 5.03 points, or 0.48 per cent, to close the trading day at 1,056.45 points. Twenty of the 30 biggest stocks in market capitalisation of the VN30 basket jumped, of which one hit the ceiling price. Eight stocks declined while two stayed flat. On the Ha Noi Stock Exchange (HNX), the … [Read more...] about VN-Index extends its long winning streak