Vietnam is among the top five international destinations to visit this summer, along with Japan, New Zealand, Italy, and France, U.S. travel site Travel off Path cited data from travel website Expedia. According to Travel off Path, summer is time for travel and traveling to Europe or Asia is perfect in the summertime due to the many events in each destination. "Things are changing, and traveling is becoming more accessible," Travel off Path wrote on its website. As a result, summer vacation planning is heating up, with searches up 50 percent over last year. Vietnam is one of the most sought-after destinations on Expedia. Searches and bookings for Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City have soared 298, 439, and 219 percent, respectively. The rates prove there is more to the world than stereotypical destinations that people go to every year. Travel off Path added, “Hanoi is the country’s capital and is known as its art capital. You can find some of the city’s most exciting … [Read more...] about Vietnam ranked in world’s top 5 summer destinations for 2023
Why ai will take over the world
AI has important role to play in hydrometeorology: official
Hoang Duc Cuong, Deputy General Director of the VNMHA under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, said the sector has applied information technology, digital technology, and AI for a long time, and that AI plays a very important role in its activities. About the application of Big Data and AI to hydrometeorology, Vu Hoang Long, an advisor from Viettel Solutions of the Military Industry-Telecoms Group (Viettel), said the sector should collect and standardize information and data to serve as a basis for applying Industry 4.0 technology to make precise forecasts. It also needs to gather data from different sources in a concentrated database system. The sector should build a data architecture matching its specific features, use the Big Data technology for handling monitoring and specialized data, and coordinate with international experts and organizations such as the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in AI research and application, he suggested. Pointing out some … [Read more...] about AI has important role to play in hydrometeorology: official
Foreign Minister meets UNESCO World Heritage Center Director
Son stressed UNESCO’s important role in maintaining and consolidating peace, sustainable development and prosperity of countries worldwide, and in preserving and promoting heritage and cultural values of humankind in particular. Vietnam has worked to contribute to major UNESCO mechanisms to which it is a member such as the Executive Board, the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage and the Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, he said. The minister noted that Vietnam always attaches importance to culture, considering it a spiritual foundation of the society, a target and momentum of national development. He appreciated the support of Assomo himself and the center for the recognition, conservation and promotion of cultural and natural heritage of Vietnam, saying he believes that the world heritage in Vietnam have significantly contributed to raising living standards of local residents as well … [Read more...] about Foreign Minister meets UNESCO World Heritage Center Director
Forest fires, air pollution hit danger level in Laos
A forest fire is reported at Phou Pha Nang mountain in Sangthong district, Vientiane. (Photo: thestar.com) Vientiane (VNA) – Fires caused by farmers burning scrubland in preparation for crop planting across Laos have made authorities struggling to extinguish the fires as the hot weather continues. Over 400 soldiers, emergency rescue volunteers and local people have teamed up to bring a wildfire under control at Phou Khao Khuay mountain in Pakngum district, Vientiane, where at least 300 hectares of land are believed to be affected. The fire has spread to more than 300 hectares of land in the villages of Vernkabao, Xienglaena, Xienglaetha, and Non. District authorities have gathered more than 400 soldiers and other individuals to help contain the fire and prevent it spreading further. Efforts are concentrated on preventing the fire reaching nearby tourist attractions such as Tad Tham Pha, Tad Vangluang Taleo, and Nam Pien Yorlapa. Elsewhere, a fire has been burning in … [Read more...] about Forest fires, air pollution hit danger level in Laos
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
Vietnam authority identifies 90,000 cases of trade fraud in 2019
In 2019, the authorities were able to handle major cases of smuggling and selling of counterfeit products, a fact that was not possible in the past. The Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) identified 90,000 cases of trade fraud and smuggling, and issued nearly VND670 billion (US$28.96 million) in fines in 2019, up 7,700 cases and VND180 billion (US$7.78 million) in fines year-on-year, the governmental portal reported. Overview of the meeting. Source: Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance. During the year, the agency collected nearly VND500 billion (US$21.61 million) for the state budget, confiscated goods and products worth over VND170 billion (US$7.34 million) and destroyed smuggled and faked goods worth over VND120 billion (US$5.18 million). Tran Huu Linh, director general of the Vietnam Directorate of Market Surveillance, said at a meeting on January 13, that in 2019, the authorities were able to … [Read more...] about Vietnam authority identifies 90,000 cases of trade fraud in 2019
First Da Nang Asian Film Festival to take place in May
The event will be co-organized by the Vietnam Association of Film Promotion and Development, the authorities of Da Nang, and the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema. The festival will select and honor outstanding Asian and Vietnamese cinematographic works with humanistic values, new discoveries and unique artistic expression; encourage new talents of Vietnamese and Asian cinema; and widely introduce to the public new, high-value cinematographic works of Asian and Vietnamese cinemas and selected films of the world. The opening and closing ceremonies will be held on May 9 and May 13, respectively, with film screenings available at Le Do theater in Da Nang. Awards for DANAFF 2023 will also be presented during the closing ceremony. The festival will showcase more than 40 Vietnamese and international films, of which 14 movies will compete in the Asian film category, with grand prizes on offer for the best movie, the best director, the best actor, the best actress, and the best … [Read more...] about First Da Nang Asian Film Festival to take place in May
At least 39 killed in fire at Mexico-US border migrant center
The fire broke out shortly before midnight at the National Migration Institute (INM) facility in Ciudad Juarez, prompting the mobilization of firefighters and dozens of ambulances. An AFP journalist saw forensic personnel remove a dozen bodies from the INM's parking lot, where several other bodies were laid and covered with blankets. "The National Migration Institute (INM) of the Interior Ministry regrets the deaths -- so far -- of 39 foreign migrants, caused by a fire," an INM statement said. A rescuer, who asked not to be identified because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said there were about 70 migrants, mostly Venezuelans, at the center. Numerous migrants have been detained in the center in recent days after local authorities rounded up street vendors, some of whom were foreigners, from the area. A Venezuelan woman who gave her name as Viangly stood outside the immigration center, desperate for information about her 27-year-old husband who had been detained … [Read more...] about At least 39 killed in fire at Mexico-US border migrant center
Magnitude 6.1 quake shakes northern Japan, no tsunami warning
The quake hit at 6:18 pm (0918 GMT) at a depth of 20 kilometres (12 miles), according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Major Japanese media outlets carried no immediate reports of damage or injuries. The US Geological Survey put the magnitude of the quake at 6.2. Earthquakes are common in Japan, which sits on the Pacific "Ring of Fire", an arc of intense seismic activity that stretches through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin. The country has strict construction regulations intended to ensure buildings can withstand strong earthquakes, and emergency drills are routinely held to prepare for a major jolt. … [Read more...] about Magnitude 6.1 quake shakes northern Japan, no tsunami warning
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