Both Vietnam’s southern metropolis and the capital Hanoi climbed up one place from last year to 31st and 52nd respectively in the annual Top City Destinations Ranking report, released Thursday by the U.K.-based global business intelligence firm Euromonitor International. Da Nang, the country’s third largest city after HCMC and Hanoi, jumped six places from last year to 90th in the list, which ranked over 400 cities around the world based on the number of international tourist arrivals. The report said HCMC received 7.2 million foreign tourist arrivals last year and is expected to welcome 8.2 million this year, up 14 percent from a year ago. Hanoi received 4.6 million foreign tourists in 2018 and expects 5.1 million arrivals this year, a year-on-year rise of 9.5 percent. The Huc Bridge that connects Ngoc Son Temple to the banks of Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake in Hanoi. Photo by Shutterstock/Jimmy Tran. Da Nang, home to My Khe Beach and neighbor to the hot tourism destination of … [Read more...] about 3 Vietnamese cities among world’s most visited destinations
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New values in demand for living space
New values in demand for living space Homebuyers growing picky There are big changes in homebuyers’ demands nowadays. If location and pricing were the top factors in the past, now comfort also plays a decisive role. This has required developers to scale up investment into ensuring living space and the comfort of their projects. Late last year, a string of projects introduced by some major developers in Ho Chi Minh City, albeit carrying high price tags, could still garner a great deal of attention from homebuyers. Saigon Mystery Villas on Bat Nan Road (District 2) by Hung Thinh Corporation consists of 12 attached house blocs and two villa complexes covering nearly 15 hectares. Despite its fairly high price averaging VND100 million ($4,500) per square metre, more than 70 per cent of the products put on offer have found owners in a short time. Huy, a homebuyer at the project, said that the project perfectly fit his requirements despite the high price tag. Besides its proximity to … [Read more...] about New values in demand for living space
PM Phuc meets New Zealand Speaker of House of Representatives
New Zealand’s Speaker of the House of Representatives Trevor Mallard presented a gift to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at their meeting in Auckland on March 13. (Photo: VNA) Auckland (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had a meeting with New Zealand’s Speaker of the House of Representatives Trevor Mallard on March 13 during which both leaders agreed that the two countries’ legislations should maintain traditional cooperation and close coordination at international and regional parliamentary forums. PM Phuc and Speaker Mallard expressed their delight at the development of Vietnam – New Zealand relations in recent years, notably the two-way trade which is likely to hit 1.7–2 billion USD in 2020. They agreed to soon upgrade the bilateral ties to the level of Strategic Partnership and held that the two nations must step up practical and specific measures to boost cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, tourism, aviation connectivity and … [Read more...] about PM Phuc meets New Zealand Speaker of House of Representatives
New RoK rules bring challenge, opportunity to Vietnam’s farm produce
Le An Hai, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Department for Asian – African Markets, speaks at the workshop. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – The full introduction of the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s positive list system (PLS) for agricultural chemical residues in foods is not only a challenge for Vietnam’s farm produce but also an opportunity for the country to improve its product quality to access tougher markets. Le An Hai, Deputy Director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Department for Asian – African Markets, told a workshop held by the MoIT and the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in Ho Chi Minh City on June 21 to update Vietnamese businesses operating in agricultural production and export on the PLS. The RoK introduced the PLS for imported nuts and tropical fruits in December, 2016, and the country plans to implement the PLS for all agricultural products starting from January 1, 2019, said … [Read more...] about New RoK rules bring challenge, opportunity to Vietnam’s farm produce
Vietnam Poetry Day experiments with new activities to attract audiences
Poetry Day attracts a lot of visitors - Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – A string of new activities are expected to take place within the framework of the 16th Vietnam Poetry Day, scheduled to start on February 27 (the 12th of the first lunar month), in the hope of attracting more audiences. In the previous years, the even kicked off in the 15th day of the first lunar month and art performances honouring Vietnam’s poetry organised on the previous night. However, this year’s event, themed “Literature accompanying the nation”, will take place over four days, from February 27 to March 2. Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association Nguyen Tri Huan said the association issued 1,500 more invitations to members of poetry clubs compared to previous years to increase the presence of audience at the event. Four members from Japan’s poets association have been invited to exchange with Vietnamese poetry lovers on the occasion. A … [Read more...] about Vietnam Poetry Day experiments with new activities to attract audiences