Vietnam Industry - Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin) will invest in new alumina production and aluminium smelting plants, along with increasing the capacity of the existing Nhân Cơ Alumina Plant.

With the goal of developing the bauxite-alumina-aluminium industry in a synchronous, modern, and sustainable manner, Vinacomin is focusing resources on building and implementing investment projects in Đắk Nông.

Vinacomin strives to increase total alumina output to 6-8 million tonnes each year after 2030 and produce 450,000-900,000 tonnes of aluminium ingots each year.

Ore supply for alumina plants will be from mines such as Nhân Cơ, Gia Nghĩa, Gia Nghĩa 2, Bắc Gia Nghĩa, Tuy Đức, Đắk Song, and Quảng Sơn.

The investment capital for the increase of Nhân Cơ Alumina Plant's capacity to two million tonnes per year is VNĐ31.2 trillion. The upgraded plant is expected to come into operation in 2029.

With reserves of about 5.4 billion tonnes of raw bauxite, Đắk Nông Province has a large advantage in attracting investment to the development of the alumina industry.

Nhân Cơ alumina plant is one of two pilot projects of the bauxite ore mining and processing industry in this province to process alumina for aluminium production.

In the first eight months of 2022, Nhân Cơ Alumina Plant processed 500,000 tonnes of alumina. Consumption of this product was quite favourable, with export prices ranging from $390 to $470 per tonne, and sometimes up to $530.

This alumina output has also contributed to promoting production and business activities at Đắk Nông-TKV Aluminium Company.

Based on the potential and actual operation of the project, Đắk Nông Province has proposed that the Government have an action plan and national mineral planning. It also needs to consider the investment policy of the bauxite-alumina-aluminium complex, and the mechanism for investment in the production of renewable energy together with bauxite deep processing.

In February 2022, the Politburo issued Resolution 10-NQ/TW on the mining industry strategy until 2045, highlighting the application of a transparent and efficient mineral resources management model of the world and strengthening the inspection and supervision role of localities and people.

The resolution also states that priority is given to licensing mineral exploitation projects to organisations and businesses that have capacity, experience, and use of advanced and modern technology.

On August 17, Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà signed a decision approving the planning for exploration, exploitation, processing, and use of minerals for the period 2021-30, with a vision to 2050.

The general goal of the planning is to manage the exploitation and processing of mineral resources strictly and use these resources economically and effectively, associated with economic development and environmental protection.

Under the planning, the Government has specific goals for a number of strategic minerals with large reserves in the period 2021-30, including bauxite ore in Đắk Nông and some other Central Highlands provinces. 

Promoting blockchain application in the digital economy

Blockchain technology will not be able to create breakthrough growth and contribute strongly to Vietnam’s digital economy without a full legal corridor. The message was given at the Application of Blockchain Technology in the Digital Economy conference on September 27.

The conference was organised by the Science, Technology, and Environment Committee and the Vietnam Blockchain Association, with the participation of National Assembly delegates from the Science, Technology, and Environment Committee, as well as representatives of the Economic, Law, Finance and Budget, Justice, Defence and Security, and Foreign Affairs Committees.

Phan Duc Trung, vice president of the VBA speaking about how blockchain technology works and can be applied in daily life
During this conference for lawmakers, experts representing the Vietnam Blockchain Association (VBA) emphasised the issues related to the legal corridor to promote blockchain technology, outlined their experience in accessing and managing digital assets in other major countries and economies, and highlighted the challenges and opportunities for Vietnamese lawmakers.

Le Quang Huy, member of the Party Central Committee and chairman of the National Assembly's Science, Technology, and Environment Committee, said that the National Assembly highly appreciates the potential of blockchain technology and is considering it to promote development, monetise innovation, and spur economic growth.

“The innovation and technology strategy until 2030 is to apply new science in all fields, with priority given to modern applications such as AI, cloud computing, and blockchain,” Huy said.

According to Hoang Van Huay, chairman of the VBA, many countries and territories such as the US, China, the EU, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore have issued regulations on digital asset management to enhance user and investor protection, prevent financial crime, and promote innovation and fair competition.

“Although Vietnam does not have any specific legal documents on digital assets, recently, management agencies have made many positive moves in approaching this new trend,” Huay emphasised.

He feels that Vietnam needs to urgently seize the opportunity to deploy a complete legal system to promote the development of technology in general and blockchain in particular.

Currently, although digital assets do not have a full legal framework in Vietnam, they have been mentioned in a number of legal documents, demonstrating the proactive approach by management agencies and legislative bodies in promoting the development of the digital economy.

The VBA recommends that promoting blockchain in innovation and digital economic development requires legal support, and also proposes that lawmakers approach virtual currencies, cryptocurrencies, and digital assets from the perspective of the 2015 Civil Code when researching and drafting new laws.

More consideration lent to US investment

Vietnam has underlined the need to formulate a joint action plan with the United States for its new bilateral framework in the hope of boosting trade and investment ties, particularly in high-tech cooperation.

Just a week after Vietnam and the US elevated their bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid a working trip to the US to attend the 78th session of the UN General Assembly where he underlined Vietnam’s contributions and commitments to the UN’s activities, and met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

In the US, he also met with US Vice President Kamala Harris, leaders of the US Congress, the national security advisor, and several members of the US cabinet. He also visited the New York Stock Exchange where he knocked the gavel to open a trading session.

He underlined the need for both nations to focus on materialising the new cooperation framework into specific strategies, projects, and business cooperation. Noting priorities to be implemented, the PM said both nations must continue to prioritise resources for realising commitments in the joint leaders’ statement on elevating US-Vietnam relations. Vietnam wants the US to support it in building “a strong, independent, self-reliant, and prosperous Vietnam,” as jointly wished by the two sides.

What is more, the two nations must strengthen mutual understanding, and build up and consolidate political trust between both sides’ leaders, political circles, and people. They also need to increase exchanges and contacts between the parliament and political parties, while expanding exchanges in all the sectors of interested to both sides, and furthering people-to-people exchanges.

Additionally, Vietnam and the US need to consider economic, trade, and investment cooperation as the crucial momentum and an “eternal impetus” for boosting bilateral relations.

The US is suggested to pay more attention to providing practical support for Vietnamese enterprises to approach modern technology and governance practices, and develop models of green economy and circular economy meeting international standards.

“Vietnam encourages and creates the best conditions for US companies to invest and develop big projects, especially in the manufacturing industry and expansion of supply chains in Vietnam,” PM Chinh said. “Vietnam will continue implementing strategic breakthroughs in institutions, infrastructure, and human resources, while standing ready to conduct exchanges and combination with the US to facilitate US economic, trade, and investment cooperation.”

Vietnam and the US also need to soon complete new cooperation frameworks for a stronger comprehensive partnership. “Sci-tech and innovation will be a new breakthrough in unlimited cooperation. Focus will be laid on digital technology, the semiconductor ecosystem, AI, energy transition, biotechnology, health, pharmacy, and human resources training,” Chinh added.

While meeting with US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, he also suggested that to effectively implement the newly upgraded partnership, the Department of Commerce should recognise Vietnam’s market economy status, and continue increasing bilateral economic and trade ties, especially encouraging US high-tech firms to do business in Vietnam.

Earlier on September 8, the US noted that Vietnam had officially requested the review of its market economy status. “The US will review Vietnam’s request as expeditiously as possible, in accordance with US law,” said a joint leaders’ statement.

Raimondo said the department will push the US government to soon recognise Vietnam’s market economy status, and would coordinate with the country to materialise the contents agreed in the statement.

The US appreciates Vietnam’s efforts to modernise and enhance transparency of its monetary policy and exchange rate management framework, promote macroeconomic stability, and ensure the safety of the banking system, it said.

Vietnam has also proposed that the US open its doors wider for Vietnam’s goods such as electronics, garments and textiles, footwear, farm produce and fresh fruit, and the US will not impose trade remedies on Vietnamese goods.

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, as of August 20, total US registered investment capital in Vietnam reached nearly $11.8 billion in 1,300 projects, making the US the 11th largest foreign investor in Vietnam. From January to August 20 this year, total newly registered and newly added capital, stake acquisitions, and capital contributions from US investors in Vietnam hit $490 million – including 72 new projects registered with $75 million.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and the US has increased from $450 million in 1995 when the two countries established their diplomatic relations, to $123.7 billion last year, and $71.6 billion in the first eight months of this year.

Raimondo noted that US trade with Vietnam and its investment into the country would continue increasing thanks to the US’ Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, currently under negotiations involving Vietnam. “US firms are greatly interested in the Vietnamese market, where there are many business and investment opportunities,” she said. “We believe that after the negotiations are concluded, more US funds will invest strongly into Vietnam.”

The framework focuses on trade, supply chains, clean energy, decarbonisation, infrastructure, tax, and anti-corruption.

Building and enhancing the brand of Cần Giờ's bird nest products

To enhance the brand value of Cần Giờ agricultural specialty products, the HCM City government needs to coordinate among departments, production and trade enterprises, and e-commerce platforms, experts said.

In the past 10 years, Cần Giờ has also developed bird's nest products that are considered to have better quality than those from other areas. The district has 519 houses raising birds, of which 459 houses are harvesting nests, with output estimated at 14.96 tonnes worth about VNĐ250 billion a year.

The district has eight key agricultural products, including brackish water shrimp, oysters, blood cockles, clams, pineapple fish, bird nests, mango and salt, with an output of more than 140,000 tonnes per year.

Cần Giờ's mango, bird nests, and pineapple fish products were granted trademark registration certificates by the Department of Intellectual Property in 2019. In the near future, oysters and nipa palm syrup will also be granted this certificate.

Cần Giờ currently has 18 OCOP products, of which 12 are four-star products and six are three-star products. The district is also preparing documents to earn OCOP classification for other 20 products, including 12 products made from bird nests, six assorted dried seafood products and two tourism products.

Trương Tiến Triển, deputy chairman of Cần Giờ District People's Committee, said Cần Giờ District has rich and diverse specialties with high quality that are different from other places. However, many specialties have not been introduced to international markets.

Most of the products are consumed in the domestic market, Triển said.

He suggested that authorities soon issue a document guiding the registration and granting of codes for swiftlet-raising establishments to help in the preparation of documents for bird nest exports.

To support market development and branding for agricultural products and specialties of Cần Giờ District, the HCM City Department of Industry and Trade, Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and Tiki have coordinated to promote consumption of Cần Giờ's products under the One Commune One Product programme of HCM City and other provinces and cities involved in the city’s socio-economic development co-operation progarmme via an e-commerce platform.

Nguyễn Nguyên Phương, deputy director of the Department of Industry and Trade, said localities have developed a wide range of OCOP-certified products, of which many are recognised at ‘four-star’ and ‘five-star’, signifying their potential to reach international standards, but the products have encountered difficulties.

According to Phương, through preliminary assessments of departments, branches, experts and businesses, Cần Giờ bird nests are products that face challenges building a brand. The remaining problem is the coordination of departments with local authorities and entities that produce and trade bird nest products in Cần Giờ.

To develop a value chain for Cần Giờ bird nests, building a closed production process, controlling the supply chain and standardising quality are necessary.

In addition, it is necessary to create an effective environment, mechanisms, and support system for businesses, cooperatives, and OCOP entities in Cần Giờ District to improve their products. From there, it will be important to improve competitiveness, encourage product promotion and consumption, reach consumers nationwide and aim to export to international markets.

Nguyễn Quách Nhi, food and FMCG commercial director at Tiki, said HCM City and Cần Giờ have the opportunity to expand and develop the bird's nest brand. The world bird's nest market size is more than US$8 billion, of which the Vietnamese market is about $800 million, with an average growth rate of 20 per cent per year.

Currently, Vietnamese bird nests are considered by the world's largest consumer markets to have the best quality and are priced higher than similar products from other countries.

Nhi said: "Even though Cần Giờ bird's nests have not yet been branded, they are considered to have outstanding quality. Many large bird's nest manufacturers have registered their production area code in Cần Giờ".

With these advantages, Cần Giờ bird's nest products have been set to become a strong brand of the city and Việt Nam.

Rice and agricultural exports surge in January-September

Vietnam has witnessed remarkable growth in rice and agricultural product exports during the first nine months of 2023, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development said.

Agricultural exports this month have reached US$4.8 billion, a 22% increase compared to the same period last year. Farm produce accounts for US$2.45 billion, up by 46.9% year-on-year, while livestock exports are up by 32.6% to US$45.3 million.

Despite these gains, the overall agricultural export revenue for the nine-month period is US$38.48 billion, a 5.1% decline against the same period last year, largely due to substantial drops of 21.7% and 20.6% in fisheries and forestry exports.

In the year to date, farm produce exports have expanded by a staggering 71.8% versus the previous year to US$4.2 billion. Rice exports closely follow at US$3.66 billion, up by 40.4%.

The demand for Vietnamese produce may rise further, especially in major markets like China, Japan, and the U.S., the online news site thanhnien.vn quoted Hoang Phuc Nguyen, general secretary of the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, as saying.

Nguyen also highlighted that durian exports to China have contributed significantly to the growth in the farm produce sector, with the export value potentially reaching US$5.5 billion by year-end.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has provided data on rice exports, primarily destined for countries within the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Rice exports to RCEP nations in the first eight months have totaled 4.24 million tons, valued at US$2.25 billion, up by 31.4% in volume and 46.3% in value versus the same period in 2022.

Notably, Chile has imported 7,123 tons of rice worth US$3.3 million from Vietnam during this period, a substantial increase of 4,114% in volume and 2,708% in value year-on-year.

However, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has cautioned exporters to exercise prudence due to the prevailing volatility in rice prices. Businesses are encouraged to fulfill their contracts and explore new markets for Vietnamese rice.

Vietnamese tourists come to South Korea in droves

Vietnam has emerged as the leading Southeast Asian source of tourists for South Korea, with 350,000 Vietnamese coming to the Northeast Asian country in the year to date.

Lee Jae Hoon, chief representative of the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) in Vietnam, shared this information at the signing ceremony of a cooperation agreement between the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA) and KTO held in Hanoi on September 28.

The cooperation aims to foster exchanges between the two countries, enhance tourism management, and facilitate the sharing of tourist information and policy updates.

According to Lee, the number of Vietnamese visitors to South Korea is expected to reach 420,000, equivalent to 85% of the 2019 figures. Currently, Vietnam is among South Korea’s biggest source markets for tourism.

Meanwhile, data from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism showed that South Korea is Vietnam’s largest tourism source market, with over 2.27 million South Korean arrivals in the country reported in January-August.

The central coastal city of Danang has become the most favorite destination for South Korean tourists due to its numerous direct flights and suitability for family vacations and young travelers, said the KTO chief representative.

Meanwhile, Hanoi and HCMC are destinations preferred by South Korean tourists for business trips and golf outings.

South Korean tourists have also shown growing interest in other destinations such as Nha Trang, Dalat and Phu Quoc.

Vu The Binh, chairman of VITA, emphasized the significance of attracting South Korean tourists, as Korean arrivals in Vietnam have grown since Vietnam’s reopening after the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dragon Capital increases stake in FPT Retail

Fund management firm Dragon Capital has continued to raise its ownership in FPT Digital Retail Joint Stock Company by acquiring 490,000 more FRT shares on the Hochiminh Stock Exchange.

Dragon Capital conducted the transaction on September 25, increasing its stake in FPT Retail from 8.65% to 9.01%.

Hanoi Investments Holdings Limited, a member of Dragon Capital, bought 390,000 shares, while DC Developing Markets Strategies Public Limited Company as another member acquired 100,000 shares.

Previously, Dragon Capital acquired 175,200 FRT shares on September 14, making it one of the major shareholders of FPT Retail.

Regarding business performance, FPT Retail incurred losses of VND212.68 billion in the first half of this year, according to its semi-annual consolidated financial report.

FPT Techday scheduled for October

FPT Techday, one of Vietnam’s largest annual technology events, is scheduled to take place from October 24 to 25 in Nam Tu Liem District, Hanoi.

The event, organized by FPT Corporation at the National Convention Center, will have 8,000 square meters of exhibition and conference space.

FPT Techday 2023 serves as a central hub for keeping up with the latest technological advancements and business trends. It provides a platform for businesses and industry experts to exchange ideas, envision the future, explore a potential growth pathway, and foster innovation.

First launched in 2013, the event has underscored FPT’s commitment to contributing to the development of a thriving global technology community.

FPT Techday 2023 will be attended by Andrew Ng, a globally recognized leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and an adjunct professor at Stanford University. He is founder and CEO of Landing AI, a pioneering company specializing in Data-Centric AI.

The event will also welcome representatives from renowned market research companies, including HBR Analytics Services and Forrester.

Participants will have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge services, products, and solutions within the FPT ecosystem showcased during the event.

Long An aims for 10 logistics centers by 2030

The Mekong Delta province of Long An has devised ambitious plans to establish 10 logistics centers by 2030 to fuel economic growth within the southeastern and Mekong Delta regions.

To achieve this goal, the province is centering on logistics infrastructure development, especially roads, warehouses, and hi-tech logistics solutions.

These 10 logistics centers are planned to be strategically located in the districts of Can Giuoc, Ben Luc, Chau Thanh, Can Duoc, Duc Hue, Tan Tru, and Kien Tuong.

The Long An International Port, occupying a sprawling 147-hectare area in Can Giuoc, is envisioned to serve as a comprehensive sea port service complex. It will feature a range of auxiliary facilities, including high-quality warehouses, to support trade activities within the port, both inbound and outbound.

In addition to these developments, the province is focused on enhancing the transportation network by creating intersections that link national-level and provincial-level traffic infrastructure. It also plans to add more entrances and exits along the Eastern North-South Expressway in Ben Luc and Thu Thua districts, aiming to improve inter-regional traffic connectivity and drive socio-economic development.

Simultaneously, Long An aims to renovate 53 existing provincial roads, construct 29 new provincial roads, and upgrade five waterway transport routes.

The province also has plans to construct and upgrade 18 cargo ports, designed to handle both general and bulk cargo vessels with tonnages ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 tons. Additionally, it will establish 17 specialized ports, including petroleum terminals and ports catering to various factories and industrial parks, capable of handling ships ranging from 200 to 5,000 tons.

Long An’s ambitious agenda also includes the development of 14 passenger ports aligned with passenger transportation routes in line with the province’s urban planning initiatives.

Two dry ports, Ben Luc and Tan Lap, are set to be established in Ben Luc and Thu Thua districts. Each dry port will cover an area of 10 to 15 hectares and have a capacity of 150,000 TEUs.

Trade Office helps Vietnamese firms grasp opportunities in Canadian market

The Vietnam Trade Office in Canada is focusing on helping Vietnamese businesses make the most of CPTPP's principles of origin in the garment and textile sector through connection activities and provision of information about the Canadian market, according to Trade Counsellor Tran Thu Quynh at the Vietnamese Embassy in Canada.

She said after the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) took effect in December 2018, Canada immediately eliminated 42 tariff lines on Vietnamese textile and garment products, and after five years of implementation, the export value of Vietnamese textile and garment products increased by 100% compared to that in 2018.

At the Apparel and Textile Sourcing Canada 2023, held in Toronto in late August, Vietnam’s Viet Vuong company received attention from the organisers and the Canadian Textile Industry Association, thanks to its efforts to shift to green production.

Nguyen Vinh Bao, Managing Director of Viet Vuong in the southern region, said that that Canada is a new market with a long winter to which the company's products are suitable. Notably, as companies and big brands in Canada are paying great attention to production in green factories, this is a trend that the company has grasped and is prepared to meet the standard requirements of brands, he said.

Executive Director of the Canadian Apparel Federation Bob Kirke said that Vietnam's garment industry has many opportunities because its factories have long invested in implementing environmental measures and using energy efficiently. Therefore, their products have high competitiveness.

The Canadian garment and textile market is worth 10 billion USD per year. In 2022, Vietnam surpassed Bangladesh to become the second largest exporter of apparel and textiles to Canada, after China, with a market share of more than 12%.

Data from the Canada Border Services Agency showed that Vietnam's garment and textile export value reached about 1.8 billion USD in 2022, up 41.2% year-on-year.

Vietnam attracts over US$20 billion in FDI in Jan-Sept

Foreign investors have pledged more than US$20.21 billion for their projects in Vietnam in the year to date, a 7.7% year-on-year increase, according to statistics from the Foreign Investment Agency.

So far this year, 2,254 new foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, valued at over US$10.23 billion, have got investment registration certificates. The respective figures represent a 66.3% surge and a 43.6% rise compared to the previous year.

Around 2,539 transactions involving capital contributions have contributed over US$4.82 billion to the Vietnamese economy, up 47% against last year.

Although the total revised capital of operational projects has declined by 37.3% year-on-year to US$5.15 billion, there are signs of improvement in this trend in recent months: a 39.7% decrease in the first eight months, 42.5% in the first seven months, 57.1% in the first six months, 59.4% in the first five months, and 68.6% in the first four months, according to the Foreign Investment Agency.

Investors have allocated capital to 18 out of 21 sectors, with the processing and manufacturing sector leading in terms of foreign investment attraction, totaling US$14 billion, accounting for 69.3% of the total and increasing by 15.5% over the year-ago period.

The real estate sector comes in second with US$1.94 billion, followed by the finance-banking sector and wholesale-retail with respective pledged capital of US$1.54 billion and US$734 million.

Hanoi has secured the largest investment with nearly US$2.53 billion, accounting for 12.5% of the country’s total FDI. Haiphong follows with total pledge capital of about US$2.21 billion, followed by HCMC, Bac Giang and Binh Duong.

Singapore is Vietnam’s largest investor with US$3.98 billion, representing over 19.7% of the total, followed by China with US$2.92 billion and Japan with nearly US$2.9 billion.

Slump in traditional markets in HCMC major concern

Facing the slump in traditional markets, relevant agencies are attempting to revive these special markets including both business and tourism to attract tourists to Ho Chi Minh City.

In previous years, customers had to jostle and get tired to enter An Dong Market in District 5, Binh Tay Market in District 6, and Ben Thanh Market in District 1 whereas shoppers find it easy to walk in wide aisles with few people and traders are relaxed even during busiest hours of trading.

Every Saturday and Sunday, the number of visitors visiting and shopping at An Dong market in District 5 increases more than usual, but according to shop assistants and traders, the number of visitors dropped significantly compared to a few years ago. In the cool air-conditioned floors, assistants were seen to gather in small groups of 2-3 people to chat.

This time in previous years, buyers were bustling whereas less than a dozen people on the entire large floor visited and asked prices, said trader Ngoc Hanh who sells fashion clothes at An Dong market. In the area of the second and third floors, dozens of stalls closed and posted rental signs due to sluggish business. Some small businesses said that purchasing power at the stalls decreased by 50 percent-70 percent compared to the prosperous period, some stalls even decreased by more than 80 percent.

District 6-based Binh Tay Market also falls into the same fate where there are more sellers than buyers and is only really vibrant around holidays and the lunar New Year. At noon on a weekend, there are a whole row of candy and food stalls in the area. The market stalls have few buyers, the rest are small traders and assistant staff.

Confectionery trader Ung Thi Lien who has been with the market for more than half a century, moaned about the poor business adding that some days, she earned just a few tens of thousands of Vietnamese dong. She revealed that she has sat in the market to sell sweets for a long time, so no matter how difficult it is, she still tries to hold on.

Many stalls in the market are closed with signs for rent. According to preliminary statistics from the Binh Tay Market Management Board, about 384/2,358 stalls have stopped selling currently , while 294 stalls stopped business in 2019.

Traders of Ben Thanh market in District 1 said that there is an increase in the number of visitors and eaters in comparison to the same period last year, but the value of shopping orders is not equal to the time before the Covid-19 epidemic.

Responsible agencies are worried about the prospects of a slump in business in traditional markets. Amid the difficult situation, the management boards have given traders at the above-mentioned traditional markets compliment as many of them have proactively shifted their business online in parallel with direct sales and door-to-door delivery.

Trader Lan Anh at Ben Thanh market said that more customers especially those in Australia, Canada, and America are interested in online trading; she regularly delivered specialties such as candies, fruits, and dried fruits of all kinds to customers in faraway districts or overseas Vietnamese.

Market management boards also lend traders in traditional markets a helping hand. Ms. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Ha, Deputy Head of the Management Board of An Dong Trade and Service Center, said that the District 5 Economic Department has organized many training sessions for traders to apply sales information technology on TikTok, Zalo, Facebook, and live stream. In addition, the market management board contacts YouTubers with large views to film a clip introducing the entire market and share it directly on their channel. After that, many customers came to visit and shop.

Similarly, the Ben Thanh Market Management Board said that it regularly mobilizes small businesses to join in promotion programs launched by the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City, with discounts ranging from 5 percent - 30 percent to stimulate shopping demand. In addition, traders at the market also apply non-cash payments via QR codes and payments via POS machines which is quite convenient. The diverse payment methods and promotions have contributed to increasing the number of shoppers.

Ms. Nguyen Ngoc Que Phuong, Head of the Binh Tay Market Management Board, said that the management board always accompanies small businesses in innovating, improving service quality, and increasing sales. Additionally, they have been applying information technology to sales online, the market management board has introduced to domestic and foreign tourists typical souvenir gift products such as fashionable cloth bags, tea sets, and glass cups printed or engraved with the Binh Tay market logo.

Currently, District 6 has a project to develop night tourism to bring many new experiences to tourists with typical dishes of the Cho Lon area, in which the Binh Tay market plays a central role. The Cho Lon Night Street project is expected to be held on the streets surrounding Binh Tay market, operating from 6:00 p.m. daily on the sidewalks of 4 streets including Nguyen Huu Than, Thap Muoi, Le Tan Ke, Tran Binh with 8 areas selling typical Chinese food and drink, fashion, souvenirs, technology items.

Currently, the Department of Industry and Trade of Ho Chi Minh City as well as the Department of Tourism have plans to make traditional markets including An Dong, and Binh Tay become tourist destinations that holiday-makers can visit on their tour to the southern metropolis. Accordingly, traditional markets need to create unique, memorable features to attract customers. At the same time, the service attitude towards guests is very important. Above all, tourism experts recommend that welcoming guests at traditional markets require stability and sustainability.

Fly to Adelaide, Perth now with Vietjet’s tickets from only 0 VND

Continuously expanding its flight network to Australia, Vietjet has opened new routes connecting Ho Chi Minh City to Perth and Adelaide, becomes the first airline to have flights connecting Vietnam with the five largest cities in Australia.

The flights connecting HCM City with Perth and Adelaide will officially serving passengers from November 21, 2023 with five return flights per week. The flights from Ho Chi Minh City will take off at 6:35 (local time), land in Perth at 14:20 (local time) and continue flying to Adelaide, land there at 21:10 (local time) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. In the opposite direction, the flights will depart from Adelaide at 7:25 (local time), land in Perth at 8:55 (local time) and depart from Perth at 9:55 (local time), and land in HCM City at 15:40 (local time) on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

The flight tickets from Ho Chi Minh City to Perth and Ho Chi Minh City to Adelaide are opened for sale on website www.vietjetair.com and Vietjet Air mobile app, booking offices and agents worldwide. In particular, Vietjet offers the opportunity to discover the beautiful "Country of Kangaroos" with ticket prices from only 0 VND (excluding taxes and fees) from October 2 to October 10, 2023 on website www.vietjetair.com and Vietjet Air mobile app for all routes connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney (Australia) and Vietjet's other international routes with the flight times from now until March 29, 2024.

Localities gearing up for peak tourism season

Localities are diversifying tourism products and stepping up promotion activities to attract both domestic and foreign holidaymakers in the remaining months of this year.

The Department of Planning and Investment of Ho Chi Minh City reported that in the first nine months of this year, the southern metropolis welcomed 27 million domestic visitors and 3.5 million foreign tourists, up nearly 25% year-on-year, and earned 125.45 trillion VND (5.16 billion USD) from the sector, a rise of 35.8%.

In the south-central coastal province of Binh Thuan which hosts the 2023 National Tourism Year, the total number of tourists surged 75% year-on-year to hit nearly 7 million, exceeding the yearly target by 0.4%. 

Notably, its tourism revenue in the nine months doubled that of the same period last year to reach 17.67 trillion VND.

In the southeastern region, Tay Ninh emerged as a major destination with 4.2 million visitors, and tourism revenue of 1.76 trillion VND, up 49.7% year on year. In the Mekong Delta, Ben Tre reported a 79% surge in the number of visitors with 1.7 million and 2.14 trillion VND in revenue.  

As the peak season for international tourism is approaching, HCM City has launched new products, including community-based tours to Thieng Lieng island hamlet in Can Gio district, and night tours.

Notably, tours exploring the architecture of the headquarters of the municipal People’s Council and People’s Committee, which have been launched since the National Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day holidays, will be maintained until the end of this year, available on the last weekends of each month.

The city has also offered cultural and tourism products in combination with events, conferences, cuisine, health care and waterway services, while enhancing tourism promotion in such markets as the Republic of Korea (RoK), India and China.

Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, Director of the municipal Department of Tourism, said the 17th International Travel Expo of HCM City which took place last month attracted 25,000 visitors, with thousands of trade commitments made, promising breakthroughs for the tourism sector of the city and other localities.

According to tour operator Saigontourist, the Vietnam Pho Festival 2023, slated for October 7-8 in Japan’s Tokyo capital city, will be a highlight among such promotion activities.

The event, which marks the seventh edition of the 'Day of Pho' (December 12), will feature many Vietnamese brands of pho, an iconic Vietnamese soup consisting of broth, rice noodles, herbs, and meat – usually beef or chicken, namely Pho Dau, Pho Hai Thien, Pho Phu Gia, Pho 'S, Pho Sen SASCO, Pho Ta - Binh Tay Food, Pho Thin Bo Ho, along with brands served at five-star hotels such as Majestic Saigon Hotel, Grand Saigon Hotel, and Thu Duc Golf Club, among others.

It is held by Tuoi Tre newspaper, Saigontourist Group, the Vietnam–Japan Friendship Association of Ho Chi Minh City, with support of Vietnam Embassy in Japan and Manichi Newspaper.

In the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, the Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) Can Tho, themed “Eco-tourism in the Mekong Delta,” will take place from December 1-3.

It is expected to feature 350 booths from 40 provinces and cities across the country as well as 10 countries and territories worldwide. The aim is to boost recovery and accelerate the development of tourism in Can Tho City, a tourism hub in the Mekong Delta.

Source: VNA/SGT/VNS/VOV/Dtinews/SGGP/VGP/Hanoitimes