Two local travel bloggers, Quy Coc Tu (Ngo Tran Hai An) and Duong Vu, went on an expedition tour to Hang Va (Va Cave), which features a diverse range of stunning stalactites and stalagmites in Quang Binh Province, north-central Vietnam. With a total length of 1.7 kilometers, Va Cave is part of the cavern system found in the UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. A pathway to Va Cave in the UNESCO-listed Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh Province, north-central Vietnam. Photo: Ngo Tran Hai An The cave is some 50 meters away from the exit of Son Doong Cave, which is considered the world’s largest known cave. Va Cave is home to numerous cone-shaped, unique, and strikingly beautiful stalactites. Inside Va Cave in Quang Binh Province, north-central Vietnam. Photo: Ngo Tran Hai An When the rainy season ends, rainwater seeps into the ground and through underground waterways to enter the cave, forming extremely unique underground … [Read more...] about In photos: This million-year-old cave in central Vietnam boasts incredibly beautiful stalactites
Thi phong chong tham nhung bac giang
Vietnam’s foreign investment plunges 39% in Q1
Vietnam attracted nearly 5.45 billion USD worth of foreign investment in the first quarter of the year, down 39% year-on-year, according to the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment. A factory in Dong Nai province's Giang Dien Industrial Zone. (Photo: VNA) Of the three-month figure, over 3 billion USD came from 522 newly-licensed projects, up 62% in a number of projects but down 6% in the amount of capital compared to the same period last year. Some 1.2 billion USD was added to 228 existing ones, representing a yearly hike of 3% in a number of projects and a yearly decline of 70.3% in the capital. However, foreign investors' capital contribution and share purchases rose 4% year-on-year to 798 million USD, the FIA said. Along with the contraction in fresh capital, the disbursed capital also slightly plunged 2.2% from a year earlier to 4.3 billion USD, it noted. The most significant proportion of the period's … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s foreign investment plunges 39% in Q1
Lao Cai and Yunnan provinces agree to strengthen bilateral ties
In 2022, two-way trade between Yunnan (China) and the bordering provinces of Vietnam is expected to reach US$3.25 billion. The provincial authorities of Vietnam's Lao Cai and China's Yunnan agreed on March 28 to take necessary measures to lift their comprehensive ties, especially trade. A truck that links Lao Cai and Yunnan Province passes the Kim Thanh II International Border Gate. Photo: The Hanoi Times "The comprehensive partnership between Lao Cai and Yunnan has improved tremendously in recent years, but it has not reached its full potential," said Hoang Quoc Khanh, permanent vice chairman of the Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee. Khanh suggested that Yunnan authorities further relax regulations and facilitate cross-border trade and travel between the two nations to improve bilateral relations. The Lao Cai official said Chinese authorities should restore trade and travel activities to pre-pandemic levels. He also urged the Chinese government to … [Read more...] about Lao Cai and Yunnan provinces agree to strengthen bilateral ties
Ho Chi Minh City hotels waiting for int’l guests
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
Durian to make breakthrough for Viet Nam’s fruit exports
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
Vietnam-grown Musang King durian more expensive than imports
A kilogram of husked local Vietnamese Musang King ranges from VND500,000-850,000 per kilogram, equivalent to VND1.5-1.8 million per kilogram (husk removed). The price has increased 10% over the a year ago. Malaysia’s Musang King is considered the "best durian in the world" and is currently grown by Vietnamese farmers in the Central Highlands and the Mekong Delta. The fruit regularly sells out at local markets, and buyers have to wait between two weeks and a month to receive their stocks. Oanh, a durian connoisseur in Ho Chi Minh City, said Musang King durian flesh is fragrant, supple and fat. "I have to pay deposits a month in advance to receive the goods." A fruit shop in Hanoi also reported that it had just sold 10 unhusked Musang Kings for VND700,000 per kg (2-4 kg per fruit). "Since it is a fallen fruit, and is shipped by air, the quality is high. No matter how many we have, customers buy them all," the store manager said. Explaining the high price of Vietnam-grown … [Read more...] about Vietnam-grown Musang King durian more expensive than imports
UNESCO continues fund for gender equality project in Vietnam
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