World tourism year

The 2023 Hanoi Fall Festival from September 29 to October 1 will bring visitors the beauty of Hanoi's landscape, culture and gastronomy. With a vast array of cultural and tourist activities, the Hanoi Fall Festival 2023 is expected to boost the capital's tourism industry, Nguyen Thi Mai Anh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA), told The Hanoi Times . Foreign tourists enjoy the fall in Hanoi. Photo: Hoai Nam/The Hanoi Times What is the meaning and purpose of Hanoi Fall Festival 2023 with the theme "Hanoi - Come to fall in love"? Through surveys of tourists' experiences when coming to the capital, we have learned that the ideal time to travel to Hanoi is in the fall, from August to November every year, as this is the most pleasant period in Hanoi in terms of weather, with clear blue skies and fresh breeze. This is the best time for visitors to explore scenic spots and enjoy the capital's unique cuisine. In particular, CNN recently … [Read more...] about Hanoi Fall Festival 2023 to boost capital tourism

World Wellness Weekend (WWW) is considered one of the largest wellness campaigns in the world, with the participation of more than 6,000 organisations and individuals in 147 countries and territories, with the message "Wellness for all - Healthy living for everyone." General manager of Garrya Mu Cang Chai Hylton Lipkin (yellow shirt) and associates Celebrating WWW this year, were the top brands of Banyan Tree Group, including Garrya Mu Cang Chai – a new resort brand in Northern Vietna expected to launch in early 2024; and Banyan Tree Lang Co - the most luxurious resort on the central coast of Vietnam, known for its core values of wellbeing. In the Northwest mountain area of Vietnam, with the guidance of Hylton Lipkin, general manager of Garrya Mu Cang Chai, also the ambassador of WWW in Vietnam, the attendees had a meaningful weekend. Not only organising meditation and yoga activities, this was also an opportunity for Garrya Mu Cang Chai to offer the bustling … [Read more...] about Banyan Tree Group celebrates World Wellness Weekend

A street in Vientiane capital of Laos. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Vientiane (VNA) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised down its growth forecast for the Lao economy in 2023 to 3.7%, from a 4.0% projection released in April. According to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2023, economic growth in Laos is forecast to be slower than expected due to weaker growth prospects in China, and macroeconomic pressures arising from unsustainable public debt and a weak Lao currency, the kip. The 2024 growth forecast was kept at 4.0%. Curbing inflation is among the main challenges to Laos. Though inflation decelerated in August to stand at 25.88%, down from 28.64% in June and 27.8% in July, the rate is still among the highest in the region. The Lao Statistics Bureau said the weak kip is one of the main drivers of inflation. Lao media cited ADB Country Director for Laos Sonomi Tanaka as saying that sound macro-economic management, including stronger coordination … [Read more...] about ADB lowers growth forecast for Lao economy this year

Vehicles that Singaporean police seize in raids against a suspected international money laundering ring last month. (Photo: SDF) Hanoi (VNA) – Singaporean media on September 20 reported local police have seized or frozen more than 1.76 billion USD worth of assets in one of the biggest money laundering cases ever uncovered in the city-state. In sweeping raids against a suspected international money laundering ring last month, Singaporean authorities seized assets worth nearly 750 million USD including bank accounts, cash, real estate, vehicles, and luxury goods. Police also arrested 10 foreign nationals who are members of a group suspected to be laundering proceeds from overseas criminal activity including scams and online gambling. Police on September 20 confirmed that they conducted additional operations and seized additional assets, bringing the total amount involved to more than 2.4 billion Singapore an dollars (1.76 billion USD). The seized assets now includes … [Read more...] about Singapore cracks down money laundering case worth over 1.76 billion USD

According to the Ministry of Culture , Sports and Tourism , since the beginning of this year, the sector has welcomed 8 million international arrivals, reaching the set target. The county expects to receive about 12 million foreign visitors this year. Meanwhile, many travel agencies reported good business results. Tour operator Vietravel revealed that in the first eight months of 2023, the company completed up to 80% of its plan on welcoming international tourists , including those from the EU and the Republic of Korea (RoK). Hanoitourist Corporation said it has received many orders from previous months for this year’s peak season. Vietnam has also experienced an upward trend in the number of foreign visitors, such as Cambodia with a rise of nearly 340 percent, India, over 230 percent, and Laos, nearly 120 percent. Several programs have been carried out to welcome international arrivals, and introduce new tourism products to attract new markets, such as Islamic … [Read more...] about Number of international tourists to Vietnam bounces back

Mexico’s magazine Voces Del Periodista has run a story spotlighting the traditional ties between Vietnam and Latin America in general and Brazil in particular. (Photo: VNA) Mexico City (VNA) – Mexico’s magazine Voces Del Periodista (Voice of Mexican journalists) has run a story spotlighting the traditional ties between Vietnam and Latin America in general and Brazil in particular, on the occasion of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh ’s official visit to Brazil from September 23-26. The article, entitled "Vietnam opens its arms of friendship to Latin American countries", highlighted the image of a Vietnamese nation with increasing integration in all fields with friends all over the world, becoming an important factor in the Indo-Pacific region. Vietnam’s glorious history of national defence has inspired millions of peace-loving people around the world, it said, underlining that the country has risen from the ashes of war into a strong country playing a … [Read more...] about Vietnam opens arms wide to Latin American friends: Mexican journal

Nguyen Thanh Hong, director of the Quang Nam Province Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said an inspection was done of tourist accommodation establishments in Hoi An on September 11 and a number of hotels were found proclaiming four- and five-star status without designation as such by authorities. They were also found using misleading advertising, he said. They included Le Pavillon Luxury Hoi An Resort & Spa, Allegro Hoi An Little Luxury Hotel & Spa, Koi Resort & Spa Hoi An and Bellerive Hoi An Hotel & Spa. Quang Nam authorities said Le Pavillon Luxury Hoi An Resort & Spa has not received any star rating but claimed to be a four-star establishment on signboards outside, its official website and travel sites. It has since removed the signs at the gate. Inspectors also found these hotels have been advertised as four-star or five-star rating on online room booking platforms, such as Agoda and Booking. Pham Hong Phuoc, marketing manager of … [Read more...] about Hoi An hotels hauled up inflating star ratings

NParty General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) receives then Bulgarian President Risen Plevneliev in 2013 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’s upcoming official visit to Bulgaria is expected to help consolidate and enhance time-tested friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries in general and the two parliaments in particular. Hue’s trip is made 15 years after the visit to the European country by then NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong in 2008. Vietnam and Bulgaria set up their diplomatic relations on February 8, 1950. Over the past years, the bilateral relationship has enjoyed positive developments in all fields from politics-diplomacy, economy, trade, defence-security, science-technology, education-training, culture to sports and tourism. In addition to regular visits by high-ranking leaders, the two countries have maintained close cooperation at regional and international forums, particularly within the … [Read more...] about Top legislator’s official visit expected to help boost Vietnam-Bulgaria multifaceted cooperation

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (Photo: VNA) New York (VNA) – Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son joined nearly 150 ministers and representatives from UN member countries at a preparatory ministerial meeting for the 2024 Summit of the Future in New York on September 21 (local time). At the meeting, ministers pointed to major difficulties and challenges currently, especially those related to climate change, environment, food security, energy, water resources as well as the decline in trust and multilateral cooperation. They were especially concerned as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been completed by 14%, and believed that the 2024 Summit of the Future is significant in creating new catalysts to promote the implementation of the 2030 Agenda . The ministers shared their countries' vision and priorities for the summit, and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening global governance and multilateralism, calling for respect for the basic principles of … [Read more...] about Vietnamese FM attends preparatory meeting for 2024 future summit, holds bilateral meetings

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh during his receptions for leaders of several global and U.S. corporations on Thursday afternoon (local time), such as Apple, Boeing, Google, and Siemens proposed them to expand their businesses in Vietnam. Nick Ammann, vice president for global government affairs at Apple, and an Apple high-ranking delegation said Vietnam is an important market and has much potential for cooperation. Apple is interested in clean energy strategies and the approach to clean energy for Apple contract manufacturers in Vietnam, Ammann said. The Apple representative also wanted to jointly organize training programs for software personnel in Vietnam, which has developed strong human resources in the digital economy. PM Chinh congratulated Apple on its achievements in Vietnam and around the world, adding that he welcomes businesses that enhance the use of clean energy and training for human resources in the hi-tech sector to invest in Vietnam. The Vietnamese … [Read more...] about PM Pham Minh Chinh calls on US enterprises to expand business in Vietnam