Press briefing 9 29 17

Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency. - Vietnam pledges to actively participate in and contribute to the building of the Global Digital Compact (GDC) to promote the implementation of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda, a Vietnamese representative told the first Informal Consultations on GDC in New York on January 30. The building of the compact is necessary to promote a safer, fairer and more developed digital world for all. Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, said at the event. Read full story - Vietnam will participate in ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2023 themed “ASEAN: A Journey to Wonderful Destinations”, and the Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) trade fair in Yogyakarta, Indonesia from February 2 – 5, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT). At the forum, Vietnam will introduce tourism development, mechanisms and policies, tourism products and … [Read more...] about ☕ Afternoon briefing on January 31

Total revenue from tourists during the month was estimated at VND 46 trillion (USD 1.96 billion). During the seven-day lunar New Year (Tet) holiday that lasted from January 20-26, the country was estimated to serve 9 million domestic visitors, an increase of about 47.5% compared to the 2022 Tet, with an estimated revenue of VND 17.5 trillion. The local tourism sector targets 110 million tourists this year, including 8 million foreign visitors and 102 million domestic holiday-makers; and earn some VND 650 trillion from the non-smoke industry. In 2022, Vietnam recorded around 101.3 million domestic tourists, exceeding the yearly plan by 68.3%. The tourism sector booked some VND 495 trillion (USD 21.1 billion) in revenue, 23% higher than the target, thanks to the whopping number of domestic tourists. Source: VNA … [Read more...] about Tourism sector serves 13 million domestic tourists in January

The group offered services to nearly 80,000 passengers on nearly 500 flights on January 18. Later on January 29, it recorded around 93,000 passengers with around 550 flights. Compared to the same period three years ago, the number of passengers served by Vietnam Airlines increased by some 20%. Though the number of flights increased, Vietnam Airlines’ on-time performance (OTP) remained high, at about 90%. To ensure good services during the holiday, the group took a number of solutions, from making the most of wide-body aircraft, increasing night flights to enhancing ground staff and promoting online check-ins. Between now and February 5, the group suggested passengers check in online, arrive at the airport two hours before departure for domestic flights and three hours for international flights. Source: VNA … [Read more...] about Vietnam Airlines Group serves 2.4 million passengers during Tet holiday

At the forum, Vietnam will introduce tourism development, mechanisms and policies, tourism products and services after the COVID-19 pandemic, and the message of Vietnam tourism through the slogan "Vietnam - Timeless Charm" and the campaign "Live fully in Vietnam." TRAVEX is one of the most important activities within ATF 2023, attracting the attention of international partners, businesses and tourists. It will feature exhibitions and symposiums. Vietnam’s booth at the exhibition will highlight the National Tourism Year 2023 in the South-central province of Binh Thuan. The events are expected to offer a good chance for the tourism sector to introduce Vietnam’s attractive destinations, and help travel agencies to seek partners, towards speeding up tourism recovery. ASEAN is one of the most dynamic tourism development regions in Asia and the Pacific. Most of ASEAN member countries consider tourism an important economic sector. According to data from the ASEAN Secretariat, in … [Read more...] about Vietnam to attend ASEAN Tourism Forum 2023 in Indonesia

Around 60 plays by artists from over 20 countries have registered to take part in the 3 rd International Experimental Theater Festival, which will be held from November 12-19 in Hanoi. Among the entries, 23 plays by artists from China, Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), Singapore, Hungary, Germany, France and Vietnam, among others have been selected to perform at the festival, which is co-organized by the Vietnam Stage Artists Association and the Performing Art Bureau (under Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism). The event provides an opportunity for domestic and international artists to exchange experiences and raise the level of expertise and artistic quality, said Meritorious Artist Le Chuc, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Stage Artists Association at a press conference on October 25 in Hanoi. Meritorious Artist Le Chuc, Deputy Chairman of the Vietnam Stage Artists Association, speaking at the press conference on October 23. Photo: sankhau.com.vn It … [Read more...] about Hanoi to host 3rd Int’l Experimental Theater Festival next month

"We have to be determined to improve the traffic infrastructure in the region within this government term [2021-2026], especially the expressway system," the prime minister said when meeting with authorities in the Mekong Delta. Between now and 2026, the region should build an additional 463 kilometers of expressways, he said. As per a master plan for traffic infrastructure development, the region is set to have six expressways measuring 1,166 kilometers long in total. They are to be funded by either state funds or via the public-private partnership format. Until now, only four expressways have been completed, running a combined total of 171 kilometers in length. The delta now has eight expressway projects that are either under construction or still waiting for investment procedures to be completed. The eight projects will cost a total VND94.4 trillion (US$4 billion). PM Chinh ordered that related agencies and localities where the projects go through must speed up work so … [Read more...] about PM wants Mekong Delta expressways tripled in length by 2026

Chairperson of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Arsjad Rasjid (second from right), at the press conference. (Source: ANTARA/Ade Irma Junida/uyu) Jakarta (VNA) - The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), which is chairing the 2023 ASEAN Business Advisory Council ( ASEAN-BAC ), is about to introduce seven legacy breakthroughs on five priority issues during the country’s ASEAN chairmanship this year. Antara news agency of Indonesia reported that the Kadin chairperson, Arsjad Rasjid, unveiled the information at a January 30 press conference on the “ASEAN-BAC Chairmanship Handover Ceremony 2023” (from Cambodia to Indonesia). Three of the seven legacies involve digitisation programmes that focus on fintech and e-trade, namely the ASEAN QR (Quick Response) Code, the ASEAN P2P (peer-to-peer) Lending Platform, and WIKI Entrepreneurship. Rasjid said that Kadin is collaborating with all central banks in ASEAN countries for the QR code … [Read more...] about Indonesia to introduce ASEAN breakthroughs on fin-tech, e-commerce

Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. (Photo: VNA) Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has said that the country, as the ASEAN chair this year, aims to push for more concrete and inclusive cooperation among countries in the region. Speaking in a hearing of Indonesia ’s parliament on January 30, the minister emphasised they want to show the world that ASEAN is relevant and important for all regions and countries across the globe. She added that they should be confident because the economy in Southeast Asia will still be more stable and grow faster than the global economy. According to Marsudi, during its ASEAN chair manship, Indonesia will organise a flagship discussion about the creative economy, digital economy for sustainable development goals, infrastructure development, as well as inclusive business and investment. Indonesia wants ASEAN to uphold the principle of development inclusiveness so that no country will feel excluded or … [Read more...] about Indonesia aims to push regional inclusive cooperation as ASEAN chair

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand is set to open three new “smart” piers on the Chao Phraya River this year to help reduce traffic problems and offer improved transport links between road, rail, and river. The Rama VII Pier, Tha Tian Pier, and Kiakkai Pier will be upgraded to become smart piers this year, deputy spokeswoman of the Thai Government Tipanan Sirichana said on January 30. The government planned to upgrade 29 piers into smart ones by 2025, at a cost of about 942 million THB (28.77 million USD). They will be equipped with real-time displays to inform commuters of boat arrival times. The facilities will also have free WiFi and mobile-phone charging stations, with a design that offers support for wheelchair users. The smart piers will have a landmark-worthy aesthetic and will connect to other transport platforms, she said, adding that they will also accept digital payments, including prepaid cards and mobile payments. Six smart piers at Sathon, Memorial Bridge … [Read more...] about Thailand to open more smart piers

Police in Ho Chi Minh City arrested a man suspected of stealing a large amount of gold jewelry equal to over 100 taels of gold worth US$190,000 from a local gold shop on Sunday. The alleged thief, Pham Van Nu, 37, hailing from Dong Thap Province, was detained while hiding in Binh Duong Province, which borders the city, local police reported on Tuesday. Earlier on Sunday morning, M.T.P.D., the owner of the Kim Thinh gold shop in District 12, reported to local police that a thief had stolen gold jewelry equivalent to 113 taels of gold (a tael = 1.33 ounces) valued at VND4.5 billion ($192,000) from her shop. The district police coordinated with their colleagues from the city level to immediately launch an investigation into the case. This photo shows some of the gold items recovered from Pham Van Nu, who allegedly committed a theft at Kim Thinh gold shop in District 12, Ho Chi Minh City, January 29, 2023. Photo : Supplied After examining the scene and watching … [Read more...] about Suspect held for stealing gold jewelry worth $190,000 from Ho Chi Minh City shop