The sons of Hanoi held their heads high and persevered in the cause of national liberation in the face of brutality and harassment. The lethal and brutal treatment and torture in Phu Quoc jail could not weaken the determination of the sons of Hanoi to survive and fight for the freedom and independence of their homeland. Former Hanoi imprisoned veterans attend a ceremony on March 22 that honors their sacrifices for national unity and liberation. Photo: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times Phu Quoc Prison was built in 1949-1950 under French colonial rule to detain political dissidents and national patriots. From 1963 to 1973, more than 40,000 Vietnamese patriots, soldiers, and communist activists who fought for the liberation of their country were incarcerated in the prison, which was run by the South Vietnamese regime. Located some 90 kilometers from the Vietnamese mainland, Phu Quoc prison was the site of the deaths of some 4,000 people who gave their lives in the … [Read more...] about Hanoi patriots recount memories of captivity
Paris accords
One more Vietnamese officer taking on peacekeeping duties
Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, who is also Head of the MND’s Steering Committee on Vietnam’s Participation in U.N. Peacekeeping Operations, chaired the event. According to the decision, Major Nguyen Van Phong, assistant at the Division of Political Affairs of Brigade 229 under the Engineering Corps, will work as a military observer at the U.N. Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Assigning tasks to the officer, Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien asked him to promote the spirit of pro-activeness, self-reliance, overcoming difficulties, being flexible and creative; promptly integrate into the international environment and demonstrate his capability while observing military discipline, U.N. regulations and the host country’s laws, and others. According to Major General Hoang Kim Phung, Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations (VNDPKO), Major Phong participated in various … [Read more...] about One more Vietnamese officer taking on peacekeeping duties
Military officers reinforced to vehicle registration centers
The event was attended by Major General Ha Tuan Quan, Second-in-Command of the general department; and leaders of the Department of Vehicles and Machinery under the General Department of Technical Services and the Vietnam Registry Department, among others. Accordingly, the General Department of Technical Services decided to send 19 military vehicle inspectors from its military units in Southern provinces to support registration centers of the Ministry of Transport in Ho Chi Minh City and some Southern localities. Addressing the ceremony, Major General Ha Tuan Quan hailed the troops’ efforts in making good preparation for their assigned mission. He also requested them to be well aware of their task, strictly observe military discipline and regulations, while promoting Uncle Ho’s virtues during their inspection, so as to leave good impression on the people. Meanwhile, the Department of Vehicles and Machinery should actively work with the Vietnam Registry Department and relevant … [Read more...] about Military officers reinforced to vehicle registration centers
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
Visa exemption means international tourists can visit Phu Quoc for up to 30 days
Phu Quoc is currently the only destination in Vietnam with this unique visa policy. According to current legal regulations, from July 2020, foreigners and Vietnamese holding foreign passports entering, exiting, and residing in Phu Quoc Island are exempt from visas for a temporary stay of no more than 30 days. Foreigners can enter an international border gate (including air and sea), stay in the transit area at that border gate, and then transfer to Phu Quoc Island to be exempt from visas following this regulation. Phu Quoc is famous for its beautiful and dreamlike beaches Phu Quoc has this visa policy because it is the only island that meets the conditions of visa exemption for foreigners under Vietnamese law. It has an international airport, definite geographical boundaries, is separate from the mainland, supports the nation's socioeconomic development policy, and does not jeopardise national defence, security, social order, or safety. As an isolated island located … [Read more...] about Visa exemption means international tourists can visit Phu Quoc for up to 30 days
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
Zebra Technologies eyes potential of logistics, healthcare, and public sectors in Vietnam
Christanto Suryadarma, sales vice president for Southeast Asia at Zebra Technologies, told VIR at a press briefing on March 21, “There are many industries that we can participate with in Vietnam to modernise and automate. Transportation logistics is a key, and we are already gaining customers in this field. We are also starting to see some good use cases in healthcare, and we want to continue growing that." "Recently, we also saw interest from the Vietnamese government in terms of safety and security, looking at how they can equip security and police officers with our technology to improve safety and productivity,” he added. Christanto Suryadarma, sales vice president for Southeast Asia, Zebra Technologies Retail and manufacturing are now the two best performing industries for Zebra Technologies in Vietnam. For example, in retail, the company sees many retailers automating and digitalising using its solutions. Moreover, the nation is now a strategic location for … [Read more...] about Zebra Technologies eyes potential of logistics, healthcare, and public sectors in Vietnam
Hanoi traditional markets suffer fall in sales
Many of Hanoi’s traditional markets have attracted fewer customers after the Covid-19 pandemic. At around 9 am on March 22, Nga Tu So Market in Dong Da District was quiet, with more traders than customers. A man who works for the market’s parking lot said that over the past few years, just 20-30 motorbikes have been kept there every day compared to the hundreds a decade ago. Dang Viet Bang, deputy head of Dong Da District’s Market Management Board, said amid the fierce competition from online shopping, the number of traders at Nga Tu So Market has fallen to 200 compared to the previous 754. Some areas in the market have seriously deteriorated. Kim Yen, a 59-year-old trader, often turns on music to exercise as she has so much free time. Kim Giang Market in Thanh Xuan District is in the same situation. Ha The Hoach, owner of an electronic shop, said more people flock to supermarkets and shopping malls to buy electronic products, causing … [Read more...] about Hanoi traditional markets suffer fall in sales