Responsible tourism development

Visitors take a boat tour at Gao Giong eco-tourism site in Cao Lanh district, Dong Thap province. (Photo: dulich.dongthap.gov.vn) Hanoi (VNA) - In recent years, many provinces and cities throughout the country have bolstered the development of rural tourism in a bid to promote their natural landscapes, people, traditional crafts and products to visitors. Rural tourism is considered as the key to facilitating economic development and fostering the building of new-style rural areas. Locals and authorities join hands to develop tourism In 2016, agricultural tourism in Dong Thap began to thrive, making the Mekong Delta province an ideal destination for domestic and foreign tourists. Currently, Sa Dec city, and Thap Muoi and Cao Lanh districts in Dong Thap province have taken advantage of their natural conditions, such as rivers, rice fields, lotus fields, and mango gardens, to build new tourism products. Tu Mach's mango garden in Cao Lanh district welcomes hundreds of … [Read more...] about Localities work to foster sustainable development of rural tourism

Foreign visitors in Da Nang (Photo: Da Nang Newspaper) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam needs to have support policies for developing new tourism products and services capable of attracting high-spending international visitors, said insiders. Addressing a national conference on tourism development in 2023 recently, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung admitted that Vietnam 's tourism products have yet to catch up with global trends and failed to fully utilise the natural advantages, especially cultural resources. “We only offer what we have, not what visitors want, so our products lack attractiveness for tourists,” he said. He added that tourism linkage among regions, localities, and sectors remain weak, resulting in tourism products not diverse and attractive to tourists. According to Chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association Vu The Binh, it is necessary to develop attractive and high-spending products like golf tourism. The number of international … [Read more...] about Measures to lure more high-spending international tourists under discussion

According to the General Statistical Office, the number of foreign visitors to Vietnam in 2022 only reached 3.66 million, a decrease of 79.7 per cent compared to 2019's peak. This poses the pressing dilemma of how to promote tourism further to attract foreign tourists. The following are expert comments from the roundtable entitled Seeking a Boost for Inbound Tourism, hosted by VIR in Hanoi on March 22. Ha Van Sieu, deputy director general of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Vietnam is a stunning tourist destination, but there are still many limitations that need to be improved. We are proud that we have achieved so much and are on the way to transformation and perfection. There will be a resolution made at the National Assembly in May offering a series of both short- and long-term solutions. The current tourism development strategy for this decade, and the upcoming tourism system planning up to 2030, clearly describe the viewpoints, orientations, … [Read more...] about Expert opinions on prospects of luring more foreign visitors to Vietnam

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thuc Hien suggested orientations for bilateral cooperation in hi-tech agriculture, processing industry, investment, tourism, health care, education - training and information technology. He wished for India’s support to hold the "India - Can Tho city" networking conference with an aim to connect Indian importers with local exporters of rice, seafood, farm produce and processed agricultural products, as well as popularize the city’s tourism. Can Tho plans to arrange a trip to India in May for a delegation of investment, trade and tourism promotion officers, he said, suggesting that the Indian side helps the delegation hold a working session with the Indian Institute of Technology to invite Indian investors to Can Tho's concentrated IT zone. The host also wished to visit and share experience in economic and tourism development with authorities of a suitable locality. Sethi, for his part, pledged to … [Read more...] about Can Tho, India cultivate multifaceted cooperation

Architect Ngo Viet Nam Son said Da Lat's infrastructure system is strained and it urgently needs to share the load with other urban centers. Da Lat should not be concretized further and should not add more high-rise buildings, said Son, who has spent years studying the city’s urban planning. The government should divert construction projects to satellite areas, he added. "Green spaces should be returned to the Da Lat center," said Son. Houses in the center of Da Lat, February 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Phuoc Tuan A plan approved recently by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh aims for Da Lat to encompass a total area of 335,000 hectares by 2045, from the current 39,400 hectares. Da Lat will soon encompass the Lac Duong, Don Duong, Duc Trong and Lam Ha districts to the north, south, east and west. All four districts are currently home to vast spaces of forest land. According to the plan, the existing town of Da Lat will be the center of six "satellite towns." Each … [Read more...] about Expansion plan should return green spaces to Da Lat: experts

Advances in technology may be the key to solving the problems faced by local taxi companies. Hanoi-based taxi companies are seeking permission from the Government and the Hanoi authorities to allow the import and use of electric cars. G7 taxis stop at a local park in Hanoi. Photo: Tuan Anh/The Hanoi Times The electric car helps reduce environmental pollution by consuming clean energy, which is now the global vibe, said chairman of the Hanoi Taxi Association Nguyen Cong Hung. The Covid-19 pandemic, the growth of ride-hailing technology applications, and rising fuel prices are some of the factors impacting traditional cab firms, Hung said at a meeting on March 21. "Several taxi companies are being dissolved and their assets sold because they are operating at a loss," Hung said. "Domestic cab companies need a new form of business operation to adapt to the global development of technology and transportation," he added. "Modern technologies, especially … [Read more...] about Hanoi’s taxi companies seek permission to operate electric cars

Vietnam considers the US as one of its most important partners and welcomes the US to support a strong, independent, and prosperous Vietnam. Vietnam aims to enhance the Comprehensive Partnership with the US, focusing on mutually beneficial outcomes that generate employment opportunities and growth for both nations. Overview of the meeting. Photos: Nhat Bac “Such an effort would contribute to supporting global and regional stability, cooperation, and development while promoting peace and harmony.” Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed the remarks during a meeting with a delegation of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) today [March 22]. At the meeting, Chinh welcomed a delegation of over 50 large US enterprises to visit and work in Vietnam, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership (2013-2023). The Prime Minister expressed gratitude to the US Government and businesses for their support in providing vaccines and … [Read more...] about Vietnam continues to push for stronger ties with US: PM

At the meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni in Brussels on December 14, 2022 on the occasion of the ASEAN-EU Commemoration Summit (Photo: VNA) Rome (VNA) – Despite ups and downs in the world situation over the past 50 years, the relationship between Vietnam and Italy has still developed positively and comprehensively with in-depth cooperation in all fields, both bilaterally and multilaterally, especially after they lifted their ties to a strategic partnership 10 years ago, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung. In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Italy diplomatic relations, the diplomat said that Italy is an important partner and a loyal friend of Vietnam. In all meetings, leaders of Italy affirmed the country’s great attention and determination to promote the all-round bilateral relations, considering Vietnam as a priority for … [Read more...] about Ambassador highlights progresses of Vietnam-Italy relations over 50 years

Taxies wait to pick up passengers at Tan Son Nhat Airport. The use of electric vehicles would lesson reliance on fluctuating global fuel prices and supply sources. — VNA/VNS Photo Hong Dat The Hanoi Taxi Association is urging for the pilot implementation of battery-powered cabs to reduce environmental impact and stay abreast of global trends. The association's Deputy President, Ho Quoc Phi, noted that electric cars are widely regarded as the future of the automobile industry, offering advantages such as easy refuelling, reduced maintenance, increased safety, no need to change oil or coolant, and less engine noise. Several taxi companies in the capital have conducted surveys, tests, and preliminary evaluations on using electric vehicles in their operations to keep pace with the global transportation industry and capitalise on opportunities. The use of electric vehicles would be an advantage in fluctuating fuel prices because of heavy dependence on the global situation and … [Read more...] about Association calls for pilot implementation of battery-powered taxis

At a Wednesday meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the delegation of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council (USABC), the council's president Ted Osius said U.S. businesses consider Vietnam a strategic market and are ready to commit to long-term investments in the Southeast Asian nation. Osius said the delegation were highly supportive of the Vietnamese government’s moves towards a more digital and green society. He also encouraged steps the country has taken in infrastructure development, such as the construction of new highways and metro rail public transit options, the Vietnam Government Portal reported. U.S. ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper said the American grouping at the meeting was the largest U.S. business delegation to ever visit Vietnam. He said this confirmed the commitment of the U.S. government and the private sector to support a strong and prosperous Vietnam via cooperation. At the meeting, the delegation proposed new ideas and opportunities for business … [Read more...] about Major US companies laud Vietnam as strategic market