Vietnam’s labour market quality has not yet improved with a large portion of informal workers although the employed population increased, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

As of the fourth quarter of 2023, the number of employed workers is 51.5 million, increasing by 130,400 people compared to the previous quarter and 414,600 compared to the same period last year, the GSO said in a recent report on the 2023 socio-economic situation.

The growth is attributed to increased production and business activities in response to Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday demands.

Vietnam’s labour force (aged 15 and above) in 2023 counts for 52.4 million people. Among them, 51.3 million people are employed, an increase of 1.35% compared to the previous year.

Most of them work in services (20.3 million people), followed by industrial sectors and construction (17.2 million people), and agriculture, forestry and fisheries (13.8 million people).

The country’s total population is estimated at 100.3 million, rising 0.84% in comparison to 2022.

According to the GSO, the average monthly income in 2023 is 7.1 million VND (293 USD), growing by 459,000 VND (19 USD) or 6.9% year-on-year.

There is a wage gap between workers of different genders and in different locations, with men earning a monthly average of 8.1 million VND (334 USD) against 6 million VND (247 USD) for women.

The average monthly income for workers in urban areas is 8.7 million VND (359 USD), while this figure is 6.2 million VND (256 USD) in rural areas.

The GSO report also revealed that the average income per capita in 2023 is estimated at 4.95 million ($204) per person per month, increasing by 5.9% compared to the previous year.

According to surveys, 30.4% of households were negatively impacted by hiking prices, while 4.6% were affected by diseases.

As of Q4-2023, the number of unemployed people in the working age is 1.06 million, or 2.03% of the country’s labour force.

Particularly, with efforts to carry out comprehensive measures to recover and develop the labour market, the unemployment rate in the southeastern region decreased by 0.41 percentage points to 2.67% in Q4, said the GSO.

In HCM City, a municipality in the region and the largest economic hub of the country, the unemployment rate stands at 2.91%, 0.78 percentage points lower than the previous quarter.

Brief reports from localities also showed that the number of workers temporarily made redundant in Q4 also decreased, now standing at around 77,800 people.

Most of them worked in foreign-invested companies (72.6%), and in footwear and textile businesses (respectively 45.7% and 25.1%).

Approximately 85,500 people lost their jobs in Q4-2023 (32,900 people less compared to the previous quarter and 32,100 less compared to the same period last year). A majority of them were working in the non-public sector (75.2%) and in HCM City (28,100 people).

Quang Ninh welcomes 170,000 visitors during New Year holiday

The northern coastal province of Quang Ninh served 170,000 visitors during the New Year holiday (December 30, 2023 – January 1, 2024), up 60% year-on-year,  the provincial Department of Tourism has reported.

The locality’s tourism industry raked in 340 billion VND (nearly 14 million USD) in the three-day holiday, up 48% compared to the same period last year.

Ha Long Bay was a favourite destination for tourists, welcoming 25,400 international tourists out of the 33,500 to the UNESCO-recognised heritage, the department said.

Four and five-star hotels in Quang Ninh were also operating at close to full capacity, topping 90%.

Over 41,000 international holiday-makers visited Quang Ninh in the period, mostly from China, the Republic of Korea, India, Japan, France, and the UK.

Notably, on December 31, Ha Long city welcomed two super cruise liners carrying nearly 3,700 European and American tourists. This was one of the largest groups of visitors since October 2023.

The number of Chinese visitors entering Vietnam through Bac Luan II Border Gate increased sharply, lifting the total of the Chinese tourists crossing the Mong Cai International Border Gate to 13,000.

This is a result of the commence of entry and exit activities through the Mong Cai International Border Gate at the Bac Luan II Border Gate jointly launched by Mong Cai city (Vietnam) and Dongxing city in Guangxi (China) on November 29, 2023. The move has contributed to promoting the tourism and trade cooperation in border areas between the two countries.

Vietnam-financed airport in Lao province to be upgraded to int’l level

The Lao Government has agreed to upgrade Nong Khang airport, funded and built by Vietnam in Houaphanh province, into an international airport, the Vientiane Times reported on January 2.

The newspaper quoted the province’s Governor Khampheng Saysompheng as saying that the expansion of the airport to serve international flights will bring great benefits to the province by creating conditions for not only foreign tourists but also investors to consider establishing operations in Houaphanh to fly directly to the province.

Located in the northernmost part of Laos, Houaphanh is more than 600 km from Vientiane. Previously, it took about two days to reach the province from the capital, but now it takes only one hour by air.

Nong Khang airport is part of the Lao Government’s infrastructure development strategy aimed at transforming Laos from a landlocked to a regionally connected nation. The build-transfer (BT) project has a total investment of 82 million USD, financed through a loan from Vietnam’s Hoang Anh Gia Lai Agriculture JSC. The airport is capable of serving 100,000 passengers per year and accommodating aircraft with 70-100 seats.

Located in an important economic-trade gateway between Laos and Vietnam, the airport also contributes significantly to the development of cross-border export-import activities between the two countries. It not only promotes tourism and economic growth of Houaphanh but also symbolises the enduring friendship and sustainable cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.

Cruise ship brings over 2,000 foreign tourists to Da Nang

The cruise ship Westerdam with over 2,000  tourists and 781 crew members on board, mostly from the Netherlands, docked at Tien Sa Port in the central city of Da Nang on January 2.

There are also British, French, Italian, Danish, Hungarian, Australian, Canadian, US and Japan tourists on board.

This marks the first international cruise to visit the central city during the New Year.

Upon their arrival, the tourists were given flowers and gifts and treated to lion dance performances.

During their stay in Da Nang, they were scheduled to visit some tourist destinations, including Ngu Hanh Son Mountain, Linh Ung Pagoda, and the Cham Sculpture Museum.

The city received 22 international cruise ships with 18,000 passengers last year. It is expected to welcome 45 more ships with more than 40,000 travellers this year.

Ten vaccine types ready for national expanded programme on immunisation

The National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology has signed contracts with domestic vaccine producers on the supply of ten types of vaccines used for the national expanded programme on immunisation (EPI).

According to the institute, the vaccines will be soon allocated to localities this month. Specifically, there will be over 1.55 million doses of BCG vaccine for Tuberculosis, 1 million doses of Hepatitis B vaccine, 4.98 million doses of oral Polio vaccine (OPV), 1.9 million doses of Measles vaccine; 1.7 million doses of Measles-Rubella vaccine; 1.4 million doses of Japanese Encephalitis vaccine; 1.53 million doses of combined Diphtheria-Pertussis-Tetanus vaccine (DPT); 1.47 million doses of Tetanus vaccine and 1.37 million doses of Tetanus-Diphtheria (TD) vaccine.

The quantity of these nine vaccines is enough to vaccinate children who did not get vaccinated in 2023 and those who are scheduled to be vaccinated in the first six months of 2024, according to a representative of the institute.

Particularly, nearly 550,000 doses of Rota vaccine which has been added to the EPI will be provided to children under 1-year-old from the second quarter of this year.

The EPI is a WHO programme that was launched in 1974 and was introduced in Vietnam in 1981. It provides vaccines for 12 preventable diseases, namely Tuberculosis, Hepatitis B, Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Polio, Hib, Measles, Rubella, Japanese Encephalitis, Cholera (in high-risk areas), and Typhoid (in high-risk areas).

Number of tourists fails to meet expectations during New Year holiday

It is estimated that Vietnam's tourism sector served about 3.2 million tourists during the New Year holidays from December 30, 2023 to January 1, 2024, up 6.6% year on year, but the overall number of visitors fell short of expectations.

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the average room occupancy rate in lodging facilitates reached nearly 50%, with some tourism hubs nationwide reporting even higher rates, at around 70%.

The limited duration of the break played a significant role in dissuading tourists from opting for leisure travel, as many preferred reuniting with their families rather than embarking on tourist excursions.

This year's travel trend highlights a budget tightening, reduced purchasing power, and a reduction in expenditures on public transport such as airplanes and trains while transport service costs hiked during peak days, said the VNAT, adding that a portion of domestic tourists contributed to a decline in in-country lodgings, as some chose to explore international destinations instead.

Foreign visitors were mostly from key markets, including the Republic of Korea (RoK), China, Japan, the US, Australia, Europe, Thailand and India.

Vietnamese tourists opting for outbound tours explored diverse destinations, including China, Taiwan (China), the RoK, Japan, and more. Outbound tours within Southeast Asia, such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, held a competitive edge in terms of pricing and attracted considerable attention from Vietnamese travellers.

Airlines like Vietnam Airlines, Bamboo Airways, and Vietravel Airlines offered over 5,300 flights, providing a total of 1.06 million seats. In the railway sector, an additional 30 train services were operated, connecting Hanoi with destinations like Lao Cai, Hai Phong, Vinh and Dong Hoi.

Looking ahead, the tourism industry aims to welcome 17-18 million foreign visitors and cater to 110 million domestic travellers this year, earning a revenue of approximately 840 trillion VND (35 billion USD).

Policies for ethnic minority-inhabited areas pay off

The living standards in ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous areas have been improved in the past year thanks to the Government and Prime Minister’s directions, the active engagement of administrations at all levels and sectors, coupled with the collaborative efforts of people from different ethnic groups in enforcing 188 policies related to them, heard a conference in Hanoi on January 2.

At a national teleconference reviewing the performance of ethnic minority affairs in 20223 hosted by the Government Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang asked relevant ministries and agencies, from the central to local levels, to pay more attention to the proper implementation of ethnic minority affairs.

He said tasks related to ethnic minority affairs require a certain level of flexibility to adapt to the specific cultural, customary and living conditions of each region. It is also essential to disseminate information to foster unity among the public, preventing them from being manipulated or incited by hostile forces aiming to undermine the Party and the State.

The leader suggested that the committee should continue to play a coordinating role in directing programmes for ethnic minority and mountainous communities among various ministries and agencies, avoiding overlapping efforts in the  implementation.

Emphasising the vital importance of building a competent team of officials dedicated to ethnic minority affairs, he urged localities to prioritise the allocation of experienced and capable personnel to support the work, as well as step up the affairs through a decentralised approach.

In order to fulfill ethnic affairs for 2024 and subsequent years, he outlined key tasks such as effectively implementing national target programmes, building ethnic-specific projects and policies, amending and supplementing relevant projects and policies to ensure uniformity, among others.

On this occasion, former Deputy Minister and Vice Chairman of the Government Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs Le Son Hai received a third-class Independence Order while former Deputy Director of the committee’s Digital Transformation Centre was honoured with a third-class Labour Order in recognition of their outstanding achievements in ethnic minority affairs.

IM Japan says all Vietnamese interns under its management remain safe in earthquake

The Public Interest Foundation International Manpower Development Organization (IM Japan) has affirmed the safety of all Vietnamese interns under its management who are working in Toyama, Fukui and Ishikawa prefectures that were hit by the massive earthquake on January 1.

The Vietnamese Embassy in Japan also stated that as of 5pm January 2 (Japan time) there had been no report on any Vietnamese casualties in the 7.6-magnitude earthquake, adding that all groups of Vietnamese connected by the embassy had confirmed their safety and most of them had returned home after spending a night at shelters. 

According to Phan Tien Hoang, First Secretary and head of the labour management board of the embassy, on the evening of January 1, the board provided evacuation addresses for Vietnamese nationals living in Niigata, Ishikawa and Toyama. All Vietnamese living near the quake's epicenter were safely relocated to shelters where they were provided with necessary supplies, he said, adding that most of them returned home on the next day's morning. However, due to aftershocks in the afternoon, triggering tsunami alerts, authorities in some places have urged residents to return to evacuation centres.

The labour management board said it has been keeping contact with labour unions and employers hiring Vietnamese to confirm the group's safety and provide assistance for them when needed.

The embassy, meanwhile, emphasised that it is maintaining close contact with local authorities, relevant agencies, and representatives of Vietnamese communities in severely affected areas, ready to carry out citizen protection work if necessary.

Top legislator works with Ba Ria-Vung Tau authorities

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on January 2 held a working session with the Standing Board of the provincial Party Committee of the southern province of Ba Ria–Vung Tau.

At the function, the top legislator commended the province for the remarkable and comprehensive achievements that it has attained in recent times. He noted that in mid-December 2023, the Prime Minister approved the masterplan for Ba Ria-Vung Tau in the 2021–2030 period with a vision towards 2050. The plan sets the overall goal of comprehensively developing the province into one of the vital development hubs in the southeastern region, a national maritime economic centre, and one of the top five sea-based economic regions in the country by 2030.   

Toward those objectives, Hue recommended that the locality continue to zone its socio-economic and urban development spaces in multifunctional and multi-center directions, respectively. He also highlighted the need for developing multi-modal transportation. The province should renew and enhance the existing growth momentum and stimulate the formation of new growth drivers, especially in terms of innovation, creativity, and digital transformation. 

The NA leader suggested that the province pay attention to the petrochemical industry and wind power equipment manufacturing, which can be seen as new growth drivers. 

At the working session, the province put forth a series of proposals with regard to the establishment of a free trade zone linked to the seaport in the Cai Mep Ha area, infrastructure investment for Con Dao island, the implementation of the Belt Road No. 4 project in Ho Chi Minh City, and the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau freight railway connecting with the Cai Mep-Thi Vai seaport.

Hue acknowledged the proposals and instructed the NA’s Office to send them to relevant authorities for further study and consideration in accordance with the law, following the principle of creating the best conditions and providing maximum support for the locality.
 
Ba Ria-Vung Tau recorded an average GRDP growth rate of 5.94% in the 2021-2023 period, and led the country in GRDP per capita at 8,078 USD in 2023.

Visitors to HCM City in New Year holiday reach around 1.65 million

The number of tourists visiting HCM City during the New Year holiday (December 30 - January 1) was around 1.65 million, up 3.1 per cent year-on-year, according to the city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Overnight visitors to the city reached around 225,700, up 5 per cent year-on-year. International tourists reached over 46,500, up 86.1 per cent.

The holiday saw tourism revenue of VNĐ6.4 trillion (US$263 million), up 7.7 per cent.

According to HCM City’s tourism and travel agencies, foreign visitors to HCM City went up significantly, especially premium tourists from Europe, the US and Australia.

Meanwhile, most domestic tourists chose to travel inside the city, return to their hometowns or go to eco-tourism areas on their own to relax with family and friends since plane tickets are costly and the holiday is near the upcoming Tết (Lunar New Year) festival.

The People’s Committee and People's Council headquarters welcomed 45 tour groups with around 2,500 international and domestic visitors, the highest number since their opening in April 2023.

Tourism and travel agencies launched over 100 attractive tourism products in the city, focusing on each district's unique tourism strengths, as well as tours linked with nearby provinces and new products like waterway tourism and night tourism.

The city’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism also collaborated with the Cần Giờ District People’s Committee to announce the expansion of the Thiềng Liềng Community Tourism Area.

The Suối Tiên Amusement Park organised various attractive activities such as a performance of the Sơn Tinh – Thuỷ Tinh legend, circus shows, and music shows, among others.

Đầm Sen Park held street performances, ice shows, and music shows with countdowns for fireworks to welcome the New Year. 

At the end of 2023, Gigamall Shopping Center introduced the Van Gogh exhibition, creating a new space to enjoy paintings for domestic and foreign tourists.

Hanoi needs to relieve infrastructure strain on downtown

Hanoi's rapid modernization over the past 12 years has intensified population pressure on the metropolitan area, making it imperative to redevelop it to relieve infrastructure strain on the historic downtown, according to the city's People's Committee.

The committee said the rapid increase in population density in the downtown area is overburdening the transportation and social infrastructure, security and public order, and living environment. It is also causing headaches for authorities at all levels as to how to provide education, health care, and social security for residents.

The general planning for capital construction until 2030, with a vision to 2050, approved by the Vietnamese government in 2011, identifies the expanded metropolitan area as the one extending from Ring Road 2 to the Nhue River, including the following districts: Cau Giay, Thanh Xuan, Hoang Mai, Nam Tu Liem, Bac Tu Liem, and Ha Dong.      

The main function of the area is to relieve infrastructure pressure on the historic downtown area and develop urban centers and new urban areas, the committee said.

Luu Quang Huy, Director of the Hanoi Institute of Construction Planning, said the approved zoning plans in the expanded downtown area have been followed. However, there are still some shortcomings.

"Specifically, the land in this area has changed dramatically in recent times due to new urban areas and construction activity. The infrastructure network has been built quickly but cannot keep up with the population growth. The infrastructure system was not connected, leading to traffic congestion, flooding, and environmental pollution," Huy told The Hanoi Times.

The economic, social, and urban development of districts in the expanded downtown area is constrained by population targets.

Architect Pham Thi Nham, Deputy Director of the National Institute of Urban and Rural Planning under the Ministry of Construction, said it is imperative for historic urban centers to reduce population pressure and construction activities.

"Large-scale projects increase the traffic of motorized vehicles," Nham said.

Meanwhile, architect Nguyen Viet Ninh said Hanoi needs to reduce infrastructure pressure on historic downtown areas based on a review of population growth projections.

"Reconstructing old apartment buildings by adding more floors will help reduce the density of construction, meet the technical infrastructure, and preserve historical monuments and urban architecture," Ninh told The Hanoi Times.

Citing foreign experience, he added that the redevelopment of old residential areas is carried out carefully not to damage the ancient architecture.

"Take the example of Japan, where the renovation of old residential buildings is done very carefully," Ninh said.

He noted that before reconstruction, the Japanese conducted specific assessments and surveys, and then there were three options for renovation. The first is to preserve and maintain the original condition so as not to damage the originality of the building. The second level is a partial renovation, which will depend on the extent of deterioration and the demands of the people who live there. The third stage is complete demolition.

"Hanoi currently has many old apartment complexes that need to be renovated and redeveloped as soon as possible to relieve pressure on the historic central area. People have a right to good living conditions, and new projects must fit in with the surrounding utility projects," Ninh stressed.

Resolution 98 creates positive effects on HCMC’s development

Resolution 98 officially takes effect and creates a legal basis that helps the city promote its potential, advantages, and breakthroughs; and solves obstacles and problems in the socioeconomic development of the southern metropolis.

Resolution 98/2023/QH15 on special mechanisms and policies for the development of HCMC includes 44 mechanisms and policies covering four main groups that help HCMC increase financial resources, develop potentials into investment resources, exploit investment, and complete the organizational structure of administrative agencies, handle challenges and difficulties, solve existing problems, and carry out new tasks.

Since Resolution 98 took effect on August 1, 2023, HCMC has promptly carried out activities to implement the resolution.

The HCMC People’s Council promulgated 25 resolutions to concretize resolution 98, including a resolution on the scales of minimum investment amount for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects in the fields of health, education - training, sports, and culture; forms of build-operate-transfer (BOT) contracts in construction, upgrade, extension, and modernization projects of road works using the city’s budget; and financial aid to support and promote activities for innovative startups.

At the 10th session of the 10th tenure of the HCMC People's Council, delegates also voted to approve the resolution on allocating VND2.8 trillion for poverty reduction and job creation, establishment of the HCMC Department of Food Safety, personnel allocation for the People’s Committee of districts in HCMC, and wards, communes, and towns with a population of 50,000 and above, the income levels of experts, scientists, and people with special talents in the fields including Information technology, smart urban construction, supporting industry, transportation services, warehousing, port services - maritime logistics and import-export (logistics), new materials, renewable energy, high-end electronic components production, microchip industry, agriculture, high-tech agriculture, biotechnology, stem cells.

The HCMC People’s Committee has decided to give permission for chairpersons of the People’s Committees of Thu Duc City and districts across the city to elect and adjust investment decisions for Group-C public projects.

Currently, HCMC is promptly restarting delayed projects and kicking off new works by following the transit-oriented development (TOD) model, forms of build-operate-transfer (BOT), and BT (Build-Transfer).

HCMC focuses on reducing traffic congestion, embellishing urban areas, developing social housing, improving the environment, and solving the overload situation in hospitals, schools, and the lack of sports facilities.

In addition, the city has also implemented many investment cooperation programs to strengthen collaboration with localities in the southeast region, the Mekong Delta, and Central Highlands.

Besides the Ring Road 3 project, HCMC is preparing for construction projects of Ring Road 4 and expressways connecting with the Southeast region and surrounding areas to develop the southern key economic region, other areas, and localities throughout the country.

HCMC is expected to create a new step and the implementation process of resolution 98 will contribute to completing institutions, including institutions on urban government building.

“I love my country” Journey 2024 launched in HCMC

The event aims to mark the congress of Vietnam Youth Federation at all levels and the 9th National Congress of the Vietnam Youth Federation (VYF) for the 2024 – 2029 tenure, and celebrate the 110th birthday of late General Nguyen Chi Thanh (January 1, 1914 – 2024).

Accordingly, the delegation of 40 young people will participate in a motorcycle route passing through around 10 provinces and cities nationwide, likely Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Dak Nong, Dak Lak, Gia Lai, Kon Tum, Quang Nam, Da Nang and Thua Thien – Hue Province.

The delegates will carry out social security activities during their trip, such as presenting national flags to households, installing a lighting system in Nguyen Chi Thanh Park and others.

Million doses of locally-made vaccines to be used in EPI

Million doses of locally-made vaccines will be used in the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), said the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Hanoi (NIHE).

Immediately after the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Health approved specific prices for 10 types of domestically produced vaccines which the country’s budget will pay for the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Hanoi (NIHE) completed the order for 10 vaccines which will be quickly distributed and delivered to localities in the first days of January 2024.

Specifically, more than 1.5 million doses of tuberculosis vaccine (BCG), one million doses of hepatitis B vaccine, nearly 5 million doses of oral polio vaccine (OPV), 1.9 million doses of measles vaccine, 1.7 million doses of measles-rubella vaccine, 1.4 million doses of Japanese encephalitis vaccine, more than 1.5 million doses of combined diphtheria - pertussis - tetanus (DPT) vaccine, nearly 1.5 million doses of tetanus vaccine, nearly 1.4 million doses of tetanus-diphtheria (Td) vaccine and 549,164 doses of Rota vaccine to prevent acute diarrhea will be soon transported to localities across the country to inject children.

According to the NIHE, the above vaccine quantity is enough to inject unvaccinated children in 2023 and children who have missed receiving vaccines on time as specified in the national immunization schedule in the first 6 months of 2024.

The Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology will receive the above-mentioned vaccines and place them in the national vaccine warehouse for quick distribution and delivery to localities in the first days of January 2024.

Moreover, the Institute and institutes of hygiene and epidemiology in regions and Pasteur institutes will direct disease control centers in 63 provinces and cities to maintain regular vaccination work in the coming time. At the same time, in the first quarter of 2024, medical workers will enhance the administration of catch-up vaccinations for children who have not been fully vaccinated during the vaccine interruption period in order to improve community immunity and proactively prevent infectious diseases during the winter-spring 2024.

Two former ministers to stand trial in Viet A case tomorrow

Former Minister of Health Nguyen Thanh Long and former Minister of Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh, along with 36 other defendants, will stand trial on January 3 in the Viet A Covid-19 test kit price gouging case.

The trial is expected to last 20 days at the Hanoi City People’s Court, with Judge Tran Nam Ha presiding.

The two former ministers are accused of accepting bribes and violating regulations on the management and use of State assets in the test kit case.

Phan Quoc Viet, founder and general director of Viet A Technology Corporation and the mastermind behind the case, faces charges of violating bidding regulations resulting in serious consequences and giving bribes.

Other defendants are also facing charges related to giving bribes, violating bidding regulations, and abusing powers for personal gain.

Viet was previously sentenced to 25 years in prison for abusing his power and violating bidding regulations at the December 27-29 trial conducted by the military court of Hanoi. The trial was conducted against Viet and other six defendants for their violations in the process of issuing permits for circulation of Covid test kits.

The indictment said that Viet offered bribes exceeding VND100 billion to participate in a test kit research project during the Covid outbreak, obtain licenses for test kit circulation, and manipulate test kit prices.

Former Minister Long allegedly received US$2.25 million (about VND51 billion) in bribes, while Chu Ngoc Anh accepted bribes worth US$200,000.

Lam Dong attracts 160,000 tourists during New Year holiday

Between December 30 and January 1, the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong lured over 160,000 tourists, up by 33% over the same period last year.
During the three-day weekend New Year holiday, around 140,000 travelers, including 5,000 foreigners, made reservations to stay in Lam Dong.

In the province’s capital of Dalat, local accommodation providers hosted 120,000 guests, with 4,900 of them coming from abroad.

Hotels, ranging from three to five stars, reported room occupancy of 85-90%, while others reached about 75%, according to the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism.

The Lam Dong government has actively worked to promote tourism and meet the growing demand of tourists at the beginning of the year, particularly in popular destinations like Dalat and Bao Loc cities.

Notable events during this period included the grand finale of Miss Cosmo Vietnam 2023, and a fireworks display on December 31, 2023.

Local tourist businesses have also invested in their facilities, improved service quality, and implemented safety measures for tourists.

Work starts on expressway in northern Vietnam

Work has begun on a VND14-trillion expressway connecting the northern upland provinces of Lang Son and Cao Bang.

The groundbreaking ceremony of the Dong Dang-Tra Linh Expressway was held yesterday, January 1, and attended by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Upon completion, the expressway would reduce travel time from Hanoi to Lang Son or Cao Bang from seven hours to just two.

The expressway is 93.35 km long, starting at an intersection with Tan Thanh border gate, Van Lang District, Lang Son Province, and ending at an intersection of National Highway 3, Chi Thao Commune, Quang Hoa District, Cao Bang Province.

The project will be executed in 36 months and invested through a public-private partnership, with the investor raising VND4,450 billion of the project’s total cost.

The project will contribute to the socio-economic development of the region.

Song Lo 7 hydropower plant inaugurated

After two years of construction, the Song Lo 7 hydropower plant in the northern province of Tuyen Quang is now operational and connected to the national grid.

The facility is expected to contribute 138 million kWh of electricity to the national power system annually.

Situated in Yen Phu and Minh Dan communes, Ham Yen District, Tuyen Quang Province, the Song Lo hydropower plant project cost VND1,490 billion.

In addition to its annual electricity contribution, the plant will make 300 hectares of water surface available for local residents for fish farming and tourism development.

Tuyen Quang, a northern upland province with a diverse system of rivers and streams, holds significant potential for hydropower development. Currently, the province operates five hydropower plants with a combined capacity of 490 MW, supplying annual power output of over 1.8 billion kWh for the national grid.

HCM City Hall attracts huge number of visitors

The City Hall, home to the People’s Committee and People’s Council of HCMC, welcomed 2,500 visitors during the final two days of 2023, reported the local media.
The city’s Department of Tourism reported the surge in visitors, attributing it to extended opening hours that included lunchtime access and 60-minute afternoon tours.

Visitors had the opportunity to explore different parts of the French-built City Hall building, such as the main hall, the ground-floor international reception room, the second floor, meeting room No. 5, and the balcony.

This City Hall tour program, which began on April 30 the previous year, is part of the city’s efforts to showcase its national heritage sites to both local and international guests while promoting HCMC as a welcoming and open metropolis.

The City Hall tours are set to continue throughout this year.

To celebrate the arrival of 2024, HCMC organized a range of festivities, including fireworks displays at two locations, a New Year countdown festival, artistic performances, and athletic contests. In addition, new tourist offerings like double-decker and waterway bus services were launched to cater to the demand of tourists seeking a vibrant Saigon night experience.

HCM City’s 10 outstanding achievements in 2023

The HCM City Department of Information and Communications has announced the city’s 10 outstanding achievements in 2023, a year for improving the efficiency of public services and investment environment, promoting administrative reforms and economic growth, and ensuring social security.

1. Quickly implementing the Central Resolutions for the city's development

That includes resolutions No 24 and 31 of the Politburo on socio-economic development and ensuring the national defense and security of the southeast region by 2030, with a vision to 2045.

In 2023, Resolution No 98 on piloting a number of specific mechanisms and policies to develop the city was approved by the National Assembly.

2. Building the Party and an effective and efficient government system

The city Party Committee thoroughly educates party committees and party members at all levels to enhance the responsibility, political determination, self-awareness, and exemplary behaviour of party committees, party organisations, agencies, units, organisations, officials, Party members, civil servants, public employees, and union members in implementing Conclusion No 21 and Regulation No 37 of the Central Executive Committee to create clear, effective, and practical changes in Party building work.

3. Quick implementation of solutions to revive the economy, achieving positive results.

In the first quarter of 2023, the city’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) only increased by 0.7 per cent over the same period, and many growth indicators were negative.

Faced with this situation, the city's leaders and the entire political system were determined, diligent and promptly proposed a series of key and urgent solutions to solve and revive the economy.

4. The annual HCM City Economic Forum themed “Green growth - The Journey to Zero Emissions”

The annual international event took place from September 13 to 17, attracting more than 1,400 domestic and international delegates.

Topics for discussion included green growth and circular economy trends for mega cities like HCM City; building a circular economy ecosystem aimed at reducing emissions to zero; policies for building green growth to reduce emissions to zero; international lessons and experiences to promote green growth and circular economy; and how to promote green growth and a circular economy in the city.

There was a meeting between the city leaders with 100 leading CEOs in the world at home and abroad to discuss solutions to promote green growth in the city.

5. HCM City’s Ring Road No 3 project and many key infrastructure projects were implemented and many other projects were restarted and inaugurated to serve the people

With a total investment of VNĐ75.4 trillion (US$3.2 billion), the Ring Road No 3 project is the largest traffic project in the southern region.

Its construction started in June, 2023. It has a length of 90 km running through HCM City and Bình Dương, Đồng Nai and Long An provinces.

Metro Line No 1 completed a full-line trial-run from Bến Thành Market in District 1 to Suối Tiên Theme Park in Thủ Đức City for the first time in August, 2023.

With an investment of more than VNĐ43.7 trillion ($1.9 billion), the line is about 19.7km in length with three underground stations along with 11 flyover stations.

After nearly seven years since the first phase was completed, construction on the second phase of the project on water drainage and environmental improvement of the polluted Tham Lương-Bến Cát-Rạch Nước Lên Canal in HCM City began in February, 2023.

The project cost about VNĐ8.2 trillion (nearly $343 million). It aims to improve the quality of the environment and drainage systems, expand waterway traffic, improve the quality of life for local residents, and give a facelift to areas on the banks of the Tham Lương canal, which covers about 14,900ha of land.

Works on many other key projects also begun in 2023 such as An Phú intersection, HCM City - Long Thành – Dầu Giây expressway, and the third terminal (T3) of Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport.

6. Digital transformation, innovations and startups - bright spots, along with administrative reform towards economic growth, serving people and businesses.

In 2023, the city increased the rate of online public services to 100 per cent for eligible procedures. It also operated the state management and law enforcement system on digital platforms, and launched the city digital map platform.

7. Development and investment in health care, education and sustainable poverty reduction, ensuring the people's rights and welfare

The programme to send young doctors to practice for 18 months at a hospital attached to a medical station is one of the solutions to strengthen the quality of grassroots medical human resources in the city. It also facilitated and increased the quality of primary health care for people right at the grassroots level.

The city’s budget for education is prioritised to increase each year, currently accounting for 28 per cent of the regular spending budget and 20 per cent of the capital construction investment budget.

The city now has 8,410 poor households, accounting for 0.33 per cent, and 14,498 near-poor households, accounting for 0.57 per cent of the city's total households. This result exceeded the target of the Resolution of the municipal Party Congress two years ahead of schedule.

8. Tourism recovered and grew strongly

The series of various special cultural, entertainment and art activities along the Sài Gòn River held in August was an opportunity to arouse pride in the people about the thousand-year history of their ancestors on this land.

The tour to visit the headquarters of the municipal People’s Committee and People’s Council, a national-level architectural and artistic monument, is considered a meaningful activity, demonstrating the openness of the city government in the new development period.

9. Maintaining national defense and security, social order and security

All types of crimes in the city are effectively prevented and eliminated. Some 48 cases of illegal trafficking, transportation, and storage of drugs were discovered and prosecuted by seizing more than 370kg of various types of drugs and much evidence related to the cases.

10. Diversifying friendly relations, bringing international cooperation to reality

HCM City now has special friendship relationships with 58 localities in the world.

In 2023, the city's leaders had many foreign affairs activities, business trips and visits to other countries such as Saint Petersburg in Russia, France, China’s Guangdong, Guangzhou and Shanghai, Laos, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Cuba and the United States.

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