Vietnam welcomed 12.6 million international arrivals in 2023, with the Republic of Korea (RoK) and China being the largest source markets, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT).

Bui Thi Xuan Hanh, 22, from the northern province of Ninh Binh was crowned the 2023 Miss Cosmo Vietnam, which ended in Da Lat City of the central highlands province of Lam Dong on December 31, 2023.

During the course of the three-day New Year holiday a total of 155 accidents claimed 56 lives and injured 131 others, according to figures released by the Ministry of Public Security.

This certification came nine months after the Da Nang City-based airport receiving a 4-star rating from Skytrax thanks to its efforts in improving facilities and services to enhance passenger experience.

The construction of the urban railway’s line will alleviate traffic congestion and air pollution while encouraging regional economic development.

It becomes vital for Vietnam to reform investment incentives in the context of rapidly changing and complicated world, the ministry said. The international business environment and cross-border investment face challenges.

Ban Soc ceremony (a ceremony to distribute calendars for royal mandarins during the Nguyen Dynasty) and announcement of the Hue Festival 2024 was held on January 1 at Ngo Mon (Noon Gate) in the Hue imperial citadel.

The sports landscape in Vietnam in 2023 was marked by numerous significant events in both domestic and international competitions, with sports enthusiasts recognizing several notable and professionally valuable achievements.

E-commerce has greatly boosted consumption in Vietnam lately, and the wise management of tax in this sector can bring back a large amount of budget revenue and ensure a healthy business environment for economic growth.

Forty precious archival photos of Hoan Kiem Lake and its surrounding relics will delight tourists visiting Hanoi's symbolic lake for the New Year.

The aim of this step is to build a green airport, where the quality of service for local and international tourists is constantly improved.

The total tourism revenue in 2024 is expected to reach VND840 trillion (US$34.6 billion).

Capital to be prioritised for spearhead sectors: central bank

Despite a challenging year, Vietnam can be proud of its achievements in 2023.

Producers and importers shall have to recycle rubber tires and inner tubes, batteries, and lubricant oils, and cartons according to the mandatory recycling rate and specifications from January 1, 2024.

5000 marathoners open 2024 with running and race walking categories at the Vietnam International Half Marathon on January 1, the first sport event of the new year, in Hanoi.

The Vietnamese Writers’ Association has announced six winners of this year’s Literature Awards, including three prose works, one poetry work, one theoretical and critical work, and one children’s literature work.

The police are scouring the country for over 42,000 victims of a massive bond fraud thought to involve VNĐ30 trillion (US$1.24 billion) by property developer Vạn Thịnh Phát.

Vietcap Securities Joint Stock Company (Vietcap) predicted a potential weakening in the upward momentum of the VN30 basket, which could result in downward adjustments for large capitalisation groups leading the VN-Index.

Life insurance companies could be fined up to VNĐ100 million for providing "incorrect advice intentionally" under a decree proposed by the Ministry of Finance.

According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the country counted more than 130,500 active foreign workers as of August 2023.

Vietnam's labour force (aged 15 and above) in 2023 counts for 52.4 million people.

Vietnam’s public debt in 2023 amounted to VND3.8 quadrillion, equivalent to 37% of gross domestic product (GDP), according to the Ministry of Finance.

Around 402,000 tourists visit Hanoi on New Year holiday

Vietnam’s fruit and vegetable exports surged to a record high in 2023, yet insiders said it is just a start as ample room remains for the sector.