Tourism of the southcentral coastal province of Khanh Hoa has got a boost thanks to a bundle of international promotion programmes which have been put in place since the beginning of the summer.

According to the provincial Department of Tourism, the locality hosted nearly 5.2 million visitors in the first half of this year, up 88% year-on-year, most of them from the Republic of Korea, China, Kazakhstan, Thailand, and Malaysia. Its tourism earning surged 97% against the same time last year to over 26 trillion VND (1.02 billion USD).

Director of the department Nguyen Thi Le Thanh said the number of tourist arrivals to the locality in June rose 13% year-on-year to 1.3 million, including over 370,000 foreigners, up 54% from the same time last year.

Total tourism revenue in the month was estimated at over 6 trillion VND, expanding 12% year-on-year, she said.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Dinh Van Thieu said the four-day Nha Trang Sea Tourism Festival in June lured some 400,000 visitors, helping popularise local tourist destinations, and create a motive for tourism growth in 2024 and 2025.

The Nha Trang International Light Bay Festival - the country’s first drone light show slated for July 13 and 20 - will feature competitions among four teams from China, France, the Republic of Korea, and the UAE.

Thieu added that Khanh Hoa is planning to develop the light festival into a standout tourism offering.

During this summer, Nha Trang also hosts many sports tournaments such as the National Club Sailing Championship, the National Libera Fun Fest 2024 running tournament, the National Table-tennis Championship, and the National Youth Golf Championship.

Together with the tourism promotion events, airlines have opened new international routes to and from Nha Trang, and increased flights between the locality and Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan./.

Vietnamese chefs win high prizes at 2024 Penang Culinary Competition

Local chefs brought home 60 awards at the 2024 Penang Culinary Competition which was recently held in Malaysia.

Tran Thi Hien Minh, vice president of the Saigon Professional Chefs Association, said that 40 Vietnamese chefs had won many prestigious awards at the competition including 18 golds, 26 silvers, and 24 bronzes.

The record number of prizes therefore affirms that Vietnamese chefs are not inferior to those from other countries, Minh said, noting that local cuisine has become increasingly favoured by many diners at home and abroad.

Nguyen Thi Khanh, president of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, emphasised that the event has further contributed to introducing Vietnamese cuisine to international friends whilst strengthening exchanges with chefs from various countries around the world.

Most notably, Vietnamese dishes that have been shaped into brilliant lotus flowers, the national flower of Vietnam, were highly appreciated by international judges in this competition

Khanh revealed that up to now, Ho Chi Minh City is the only locality that has regularly dispatched chefs to compete in international events.

These contests have provided an excellent opportunity for local chefs to connect Vietnamese cuisine with the quintessence of the world, thereby further introducing local cuisine to international tourists.

This year's competition gathered together a total of 1,200 contestants from more than 20 countries around the globe.

Participation increases, benefits expanded after 15 years of Health Insurance Law

The number of health insurance participants has surged, benefits have expanded and healthcare quality has seen significant improvement after 15 years of implementing the Law on Health Insurance.

Since its inception in 2009, the law has seen involvement levels increase to over 93.307 million people, covering 93.35% of the population, marking a 35.35% rise since 2009.

Tran Thi Trang, head of the Health Insurance Department under the Ministry of Health told the Suc khoe & Doi song (Health & Life) newspaper that the coverage rate was 58% in 2009.

In 2015, following amendments to the law, participation reached 68.5 million people, covering 74.9% of the population.

By 2019, the number of participants increased to 85.7 million, achieving an 89.1% coverage rate.

The number of healthcare visits, covered by the health insurance fund, has shown steady growth annually.

In 2010, there were 102 million visits, consisting of 93.7 million outpatient visits and 8.3 million inpatient treatments.

By 2015, the figure rose to 130.2 million visits, made up of 118.2 million outpatient visits and 12 million inpatient treatments.

In 2019, there were 184 million visits, with 166.9 million outpatient visits and 17.1 million inpatient treatments.

Due to the impact of COVID-19 from 2020 to 2022, healthcare visits decreased compared to the period from 2015 to 2019.

In 2020, there were 167.3 million visits, a decrease of 16.7 million from 2019.

By 2022, as the pandemic stabilised, visits increased to 150.4 million, a rise of 24 million from 2021.

As of June this year, the nationwide total of outpatient and inpatient visits, covered by the health insurance fund, was estimated at 89.552 million, up by more than 6.5 million (equal to 7.91%) from the same period last year.

Trang said the rights of health insurance participants were guaranteed.

Overall, the scope of benefits for participants was quite comprehensive, including costs for medical examinations, blood transfusions, medical supplies, pharmaceuticals during medical visits,regular pre-natal check-ups and childbirth at healthcare facilities.

Additionally, the health insurance fund also covered transportation costs for patients from district to provincial and central-level hospitals for certain priority groups such as the poor, ethnic minorities, revolutionary contributors and children under six in emergency situations or when transferred for specialised medical treatment.

Annually, the health insurance fund also covered 87% to 89% of total healthcare expenses, while participants were responsible for co-payment only ranging from 11% to 13%.

Trang said that healthcare rights under the health insurance policies were expanding to meet the healthcare needs of participants, adapting to changing disease patterns, advancements in medical science and technology, balancing the health insurance fund, participant payment capabilities and aiming to reduce out-of-pocket expenses for households.

The list of medicines (including new drugs and traditional medicines), medical supplies and healthcare services, covered by the health insurance fund were being continually adjusted to fit with the latest in medical and technical capacities of healthcare facilities, while ensuring the rights of cardholders and enhancing the technical expertise of healthcare facilities, she said.

Since the implementation of the law, nearly all public healthcare facilities with treatment functions had directly participated in health insurance contracts with social insurance agencies.

Nearly 10,000 commune/ward/town health stations also participated in health insurance through contracts managed by district hospitals or health centres assigned by provincial Departments of Health in the country.

She also added that administrative procedures, medical examination and treatment processes, payment procedures were significantly reformed to reduce inconvenience, facilitate patient access to healthcare services and create favourable conditions for organisations and agencies in implementing health insurance policies.

Since the official implementation of the Law on July 1, 2009, it has provided the highest legal basis to gradually achieve fairness in healthcare, implementing the sharing between the healthy and the sick, the wealthy and the poor and working-age individuals and children and the elderly.

To further enhance public engagement and mobilise health insurance across all levels, the ministry has chosen the theme for this year 'Effective use of the health insurance fund and improving the quality of health examination and treatment under grassroots healthcare.'

The ministry has issued a dispatch, requesting provincial People's Committees to direct the Department of Health to coordinate with social insurance offices and relevant agencies to submit proposals to offer education sessions for various groups participating in health insurance locally.

Key messages about health insurance focus on enhancing the quality of healthcare at grassroots healthcare facilities to increase access to health insurance for the public, using the health insurance fund efficiently, how health insurance means safeguarding your health and that participation gives people sustainable financial support during illness and disease.

Trang said that the ministry was currently drafting amendments to the Law on Health Insurance and several decrees to improve quality, ensure sufficient supply of medicines and medical equipment for examinations and treatment, reform medical examinations and treatment procedures and expand the scope of health insurance benefits./.

Quang Tri airport project to commence construction in early July

The Quang Tri airport project, with an initial outlay of 5.8 trillion VND (227 million USD), will be kicked off on July 6 by a joint venture between T&T Group and CIENCO 4.

The project, approved by the Prime Minister under the public-private partnership model, will be located in the communes of Gio Quang, Gio Hai, and Gio Mai in Gio Linh district, covering an area of 265 ha.

The project is expected to take 50 years to complete, including 24 months for preparation and construction and 47 years and 2 months for operation and toll collection to recoup investment.

Upon completion, the airport will meet the standards of a Class 4C airport defined by the International Civil Aviation Organisation and a Level II military airport, capable of handling Code E aircraft and serving about 5 million passengers and 25,500 tonnes of cargo annually.

It will address the ever-growing demand for air travel, foster economic growth, and ensure high mobility for military operations and disaster relief efforts in the Central Region.

The project is expected to be completed and operational by July 2026./.

Local chess players win four gold medals at ASEAN University Games

The national chess team has won four gold medals at the ASEAN University Games (AUG) 2024, which is currently underway in Indonesia.

Nguyen Hong Anh bagged two gold medals in the women’s blitz and rapid events after scoring seven points.

Also in the blitz competition, Anh and her teammates Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong, Pham Tran Gia Thu, and Nguyen Ngoc Yen Vy took home a gold medal in the women’s team category with a total of 19 points, 0.5 points higher than hosts Indonesia.

They continued their good form by claiming another gold medal in the women’s rapid competition. On July 1 the chess team won a silver medal for Vietnam in the women’s standard team competition.

The previous day, local swimmer Truong Viet Vu secured a silver medal in the men’s 1,500m freestyle competition after clocking a time of 16’51”61.

So far, the Vietnamese delegation has won four gold, two silver, and two bronze medals. Vietnam sent a delegation of 37 athletes to the tournament this year and has set a target of winning gold medals in track and field, chess, swimming, and taekwondo.

The 2024 ASEAN University Games kicked off on June 25, with the event drawing the participation of all 11 members of the Southeast Asian Games Federation. Hundreds of athletes are vying for 250 sets of medals across 21 sports.

This year marks the 21st edition of the biennale event and will last through to July 7. In the 2022 version of the competition, Vietnam ranked fourth with 13 golds, whilst Thailand topped the medal table with 109 golds.

Vietnamese tourism promoted in Germany

The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) in coordination with the Vietnamese Consulate General in Frankfurt city of Germany have organised a programme to promote Vietnam as a friendly, attractive and safe destination to key European markets in general and Germany in particular.

It offered an opportunity for Vietnamese and German travel firms to share experience and step up exchanges.

VNAT General Director Nguyen Trung Khanh said both sides boast significant potential to complement each other in cooperation and development, especially in tourism.

He also highlighted Vietnam's potential and advantages to further develop its unique tourism products, noting agriculture and community-based tourism, traditional craft villages, cultural festivals, and cuisines from the Southeast Asian nation are favoured by foreign tourists.

Many Vietnamese tourist destinations and products have been ranked among the world's best by reputable travel websites such as the World Travel Awards, TripAdvisor, Telegraph, and major media outlets, he said.

Germany is one of Vietnam's traditional and major markets in Europe, Khanh said, adding 200,000 German tourists visited the Southeast Asian nation last year, equivalent to 88% of the pre-COVID-19 level, making it the third largest source of tourists to Vietnam in the European Union (EU).

Over recent years, the two tourism sectors have engaged in many cooperative activities, notably the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the Hue Tourism College and the FU Education Group of Germany in June 2023 regarding high-quality vocational training, the exchange of experts and lecturers, and the organisation of German language courses.

The launch of direct flights between Hanoi/ Ho Chi Minh City and Munich operated by national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines also creates more favourable conditions for German tourists to visit Vietnam.

Vietnam's tourism industry has conducted activities in Germany to boost tourism exchanges between the two countries. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Government has waived visas for German visitors since 2015, and extended the temporary stay for them to 45 days starting from August 15, 2023./.

Commission proposes measure for anti-IUU fishing cooperation with Vietnam

The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) has contacted the Vietnamese Government to propose a cooperation opportunity through voluntary participation in the commission’s Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS) for toothfish.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency, Todd Dubois, Fisheries Monitoring and Compliance Manager at the CCAMLR, said it is highly concerned about illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CAMLR Convention) Area.

IUU fishing seriously decreased toothfish stocks and undermined the CCAMLR’s conservation targets as well as the science supporting reasonable use of marine living resources in the Antarctic. The CCAMLR has taken some measures against IUU fishing, including the launch of the CDS for toothfish, he noted.

Dubois said the CDS is an electronic system designed for tracking toothfish from the time catches arrive at ports and throughout the commercial cycle. It covers all toothfish species harvested and traded by member states. Through this measure, the CDS helps differentiate toothfish harvested legally and illegally, and prevent the import of illegally caught toothfish to into the world’s largest markets.

The CCAMLR has encouraged the country to consider cooperating with it by implementing the CDS, he went on, affirming the CCAMLR’s readiness to give all-round support if Vietnam wishes to work with the CCAMLR via the CDS participitation.

By doing so, Vietnam will also be able to help the CCAMLR realise conservation targets and assist with global efforts against IUU fishing, according to Dubois./.

Law marks new step in protecting water resources

The Law on Water Resources 2023, officially effective from July 1, marks a leap forward in mindset, approach, and changes in water resources management methods to ensure that they are managed as national assets that belong to the entire people, said insiders.

According to Chau Tran Vinh, Director of the Department of Water Resources Management under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, with 10 chapters and 86 articles, the law institutionalises the new viewpoints, principles, and policies of the Party and the State regarding the management and protection of water resources.

Vinh emphasised that one of the core principles of the law is to address overlaps, conflicts, and gaps in existing laws to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the state management of water resources, thus ensuring national security in this field.

The law underlines the importance of promoting national water resources governance based on digital technology, through the national water resources monitoring system, national water resources databases, and decision-support systems, he added.

It mentions the aspiration to revive "dead rivers" in Vietnam as it introduces numerous regulations and policies related to the work and outlines financial mechanisms and policies for water resources restoration activities.

Vinh emphasised the need to enhance the responsibility of agencies, officials, and civil servants in handling administrative procedures related to water resources, ensuring prompt, timely, transparent, and public processes, as well as promoting the application of information technology in handling administrative procedures concerning water resources.

The ministry will also organise conferences to popularise information related to and regulations of the law across the country, thus clarifying the responsibilities of authorities of various levels and sectors in the water resources management./.

NA Chairman visits, gives gifts to revolution contributors in Can Tho

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man and a NA working group on July 2 visited and presented gifts to revolution contributors in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947-2024).

Meeting with the revolution contributors, Man stressed that the Party, the State and the Government have issued policies and laws on providing support and preferential treatment for revolution contributors. Most recently, on June 25, 2024, President To Lam signed a decision on giving gifts worth totally 420 billion VND (16.5 million USD) to more than 1.3 million revolution contributors.

According to him, currently, there are more than 9.2 million revolution contributors nationwide including nearly 1.2 million martyrs, nearly 500,000 relatives of martyrs; over 117,000 Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, and nearly 600,000 war invalids.

On this occasion, Man asked Can Tho city authorities to continue paying attention to revolution contributors and implementing policies to ensure their benefits, particularly the NA resolution on adjustment of pension, allowances and preferential allowances to revolution contributors from July 1.

The top legislator noted that it’s necessary to mobilise resources of the whole political system to take care of revolution contributors./.

Camping adds charm to Hanoi’s tourism

Travel firms have developed camping tours with new experiences so as to entice more visitors to the capital city of Hanoi, according to insiders.

Local campsites have attracted throngs of tourists, mostly families and groups of friends who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and indulge themselves in the heart of the nature.

Around 40 kilometres to the west of the city centre, the 11,000-hectare Ba Vi National Park in the outlying district of the same name which offers an amazing biodiversity and so many more is a destination popular among visitors to pitch up their tents.

According to Director of the centre for environmental education and services at the park Nguyen Phi Hung, several campsites have been set up at the park which are between 400m and 600m above sea level.

The centre is working with competent sides to provide camping supplies such as tents and outdoor grills, as well as guiding service for trekking and visits to French ruins and cultural and historical sites, he said.

Hoang Van Phuong, a manager at Melia Ba Vi Mountain Retreat, said camping in the park has become a popular tourism product among Hanoians, adding many have registered for the service at the resort this summer.

Home to a hilly terrain with stunning landscapes, Hanoi boasts huge potential for developing camping tours. Director of the Asian Tourism Development Institute Pham Hai Quynh held that to ensure a sustainable development of the offering, Hanoi’s outlying districts need to pen communications strategies to raise public awareness of the safe campsites, while tour operators need to arrange various activities that meet the demands of visitors of different ages.

Director of Suvina Travel company Ta Huu Chien suggested service providers give visitors recommendations and timely forecast to ensure their safety, and integrate trekking and environmental protection activities into camping tours./.

Vietnam attends 14th ASEANAPOL Contact Persons Meeting in Malaysia

The Ministry of Public Security has sent three representatives to the 14th ASEANAPOL Contact Persons Meeting (ACPM), which was convened by the ASEAN Chiefs of Police (ASEANAPOL)’s Secretariat in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 1.

This annual event is a crucial framework for regional police cooperation, aiming to implement commitments by ASEANAPOL regarding the coordination between the bloc’s law enforcement forces with their peers from 11 dialogue partner organisations and 12 observers.

In his opening remarks, ASEANAPOL Secretariat Executive Director David Martinez Vinluan highlighted the meeting's pivotal role in strengthening partnerships and devising robust strategies to combat global security threats.

He called for close coordination among member countries to ensure a peaceful and safe Southeast Asia.

Lasting until July 5, the ACPM is set to deliberate on strategic cooperation in combating transnational organised crime within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Key areas of focus include compiling reports assessing the related situation and trends, implementing initiatives for cooperation in training and enhancing law enforcement capacities among member states' police forces, and expanding strategic partnerships with international organisations sharing common goals in the matter.

In 2023, in collaboration with its dialogue partner organisations and observers, the secretariat coordinated over 30 face-to-face and 14 online training courses for 620 police officers from member countries./.

Binh Thuan supervises over 170 vessels at high risk of violating foreign waters

The People’s Committee of the south-central province of Binh Thuan on July 1 asked agencies to strengthen supervision of fishing vessels that are likely to infringe on foreign waters as one of its drastic measures against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

Local agencies and localities have identified 173 fishing vessels with a high risk of violating foreign waters, including 13 in Tuy Phong district, 18 in Phan Thiet city, two in Ham Thuan Nam district, 48 in La Gi township, seven in Ham Tan district and 85 in Phu Quy island district.

They include those operating in fishing or logistics services in areas where many fishing vessels violate foreign waters; off-shore fishing vessels that frequently lose vessel monitoring system (VMS) connection in adjacent areas or for less than 6 hours repeatedly in adjacent areas without reporting, and unknown reasons; and fishing vessels that have found to violate foreign waters or have crew members, especially the captain, who have ever violated foreign waters and arrested.

According to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, authorities have detected 2,515 vessels with “3 NOs” (no registration, no examination, no licence). The province’s Sub-department of Fisheries has granted temporary registration to 2,348 of them.

To date, Binh Thuan has completed installing VMS for all operating fishing vessels. Authorities have also tightened management and supervision of fishing vessels that did not installed the device or stopped operating due to damage and civil disputes./.

Vietnamese culture, cuisine shine at Italian ethnic culture festival

The Vietnamese culture and cuisine were introduced at the 16th Bagnara ethnic culture festival in Bagnara di Romagna commune of Italy's Ravenne province from June 27 - 30.

This is the sixth time Vietnam has joined in the festival, but this year, aside from cuisine, for the first time, the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy and the Vietnam-Italy Cultural Bridge Association organised a photo exhibition about the country’s landscapes, people, culture, costumes, and musical instruments.

Massimo Bellotti, art director of the festival, said that for years, organisers have supported the Vietnamese community to open a booth at the festival. The booth continued to prove a great success as a large number of visitors patiently waited for their turn to enjoy Vietnamese dishes.

Members of the Vietnam-Italy Cultural Bridge Association made Vietnamese dishes at the festival. They also wore traditional costumes to participate in a parade there and performed lion dance and "quan ho" (duet singing), a traditional singing genre of the country.

At a meeting with Mattia Galli - Mayor of Bagnara di Romagna, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung, who was the only special guest invited to this year's festival, said that he was impressed with the scale of the event, which attracted representatives from 23 countries and more than 20,000 visitors.

On this occasion, he informed local leaders about Vietnam’s 45-day visa exemption for Italian citizens and a plan to launch a direct air route between the two countries./.

Vietnam among cheapest countries to retire around the world

Vietnam has been named among the top eighth cheapest countries to retire in around the world due to the comfortable lifestyle on offer, according to magazine Travel+Leisure of the United States.

The country ranked sixth in the list.

Travel+Leisure shared that Vietnam boasts a very affordable cost of living, especially for adventurous retirees who appreciate its various beaches, wide array of scenery, delicious food, history, and rich culture.

It noted that the overall cost stands at about 59% lower compared to the US, whilst rents are about 79% lower depending on the location.

“In Ho Chi Minh City, home to a large expat community, the cost of living is 70% or so lower than in New York, and housing is about 87% lower,” says the magazine.

Travel+Leisure also stressed that high-quality healthcare is very affordable, with both public and private systems on offer. Most expats carry international health insurance and take advantage of private hospitals.

Rounding off the list were global destinations such as Mexico, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Portugal, Panama, Montenegro, and Colombia.

HCM City I Women's Football Club to vie for AFC Champions League title

Ho Chi Minh City I Women's Football Club will be the Vietnamese representative competing in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Women’s Champions League during the 2024 to 2025 season.

According to details given by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), national reigning champions HCM City I Women's Football Club will qualify for the group stage of the AFC Women’s Champions League which is scheduled to take place from October 6 to October 12.

Vietnam will serve as a venue for one group in the opening round of the continental tournament. As a result, HCM City I Women's Football Club will play in the home ground for all three matches.

The AFC will also grant US$100,000 to the Vietnamese club for competing in the group stage of the AFC Women’s Champions League.

They will be joined by other women’s football clubs from across the Asian region, including Urawa Red Diamonds Ladies of Japan, Melbourne City FC of Australia, Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC of China, and Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC of the Republic of Korea. This stage of the tournament will see a total of 12 teams divided into three groups.

China and Vietnam will be hosting one group each during the group stage of the competition. The third remaining host for the group stage will be identified after the draw held on July 18 at the AFC House in Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia.

The top two finishers of each group and the two best third-placed sides will then progress to the quarterfinals of the AFC Women’s Champions League which will take place ahead in March, 2025.

Dozens injured as passenger bus falls into abyss in Central Highlands

Dozens of passengers were injured after a bus plunged into an abyss in the Central Highland province of Dak Nong on July 1.

The accident happened at around 13:30 and there were 48 people on board the bus returning home in Binh Duong province from a tour to Dak Nong, said local police.

When the bus came to a sharp turn on Cui Cho Pass, it suddenly hit the roadside slope and then crashed into the abyss.

Many local residents broke down the glass door to take some victims out, and immediately called rescue workers.

Hearing about the news, local authorities dispatched rescue workers to the scene, and the rescue work was completed in half an hour.

Doctors at Dak G’long District Medical Center, said they received 22 injured people in a constant state of panic. Among them, six were seriously injured, with broken arms and legs, and they were immediately transferred to Dak Nong Provincial Hospital.

The remaining 16 with scratches were treated at the center, and they were in stable condition, said the doctors.

ASEAN U16 Boys Champs: Vietnam lose to Thailand in semi-finals

Vietnam missed the chance to progress to the final match of the ongoing ASEAN U16 Boys Championships after losing 1-2 to Thailand in the first semi-final on July 1.

Thai players performed better in the first minutes, controlling the ball and bringing to bear constant pressure on their opponents.

Eight minutes into the match, Thailand missed a chance to score a goal after a close-range header from a striker. Goalkeeper Thang Long promptly jumped down and saved the goal.

Thai players with skillful personal techniques and physical strength easily took control of the game as desired, and Vietnam were lucky not to concede a goal in the first half.

After the break, Vietnam were awarded a penalty kick following a Thai defender’s foul against Vietnamese striker Hong Quang. From the penalty spot, Hong Phong found the net, opening the score for Vietnam in the 52nd minute.

Eight minutes later, Thailand earned an equalizer with Phothong’s extremely brave header.

Both teams then played well, with lightning attacks. In the 80th minute, Duy Dang missed the opportunity to extend Vietnam’s lead after his shot went over the crossbar.

Without efforts paid off, Vietnam had to pay the price. Chalwat received a pass from his teammate and scored a dangerous shot, beating goalkeeper Thang Long in the extra time.

Vietnamese players tried to look for an equalizer but they failed.

Thailand will take on the winners of the Australia vs Indonesia match in the final.

Iran hosts first tourism roadshow in Vietnam

Iran hosted a tourism roadshow and a workshop in Hanoi on July 1 to boost tourism cooperation and spur the development of the tourism industry of the two countries.

Iran’s Tourism Roadshow – Southeast Asia 2024 introduced the most authentic images of the Islamic republic to Vietnamese travel firms, helping them understand more about Iran and further promote cultural and tourism relations between Iran and Vietnam.

According to Ali Akbar Nazari, Ambassador of Iran to Vietnam, ancient historical relics, world heritage sites registered by UNESCO, and beautiful natural landscapes of Iran are all tourist destinations attractive to international travelers, including Vietnamese tourists.

He said both Iran and Vietnam boast great potential and opportunities to increase tourism cooperation as they have beautiful natural landscapes imbued with distinct cultural identities.

Taking the floor, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong recalled that his ministry successfully organized a series of activities and events in August 2023 introducing the image of the country, people, and cultural tourism of Vietnam in Iran, thereby bringing the two countries’ peoples closer together, understanding each other and loving each other.

Cuong revealed the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Iran are considering the possibility of signing a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the field of tourism in the near future, creating favourable conditions for the two sides to strongly promote tourism cooperation, commensurate with their potential, needs and aspirations.

At the same time, he said the Government of Vietnam is actively developing the local Halal industry, aimed at developing Halal tourism and attracting tourists from the Middle East market in general and Iran in particular.

Iran’s Tourism Roadshow – Southeast Asia 2024 was held by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Iran in collaboration with the Embassy of Iran in Hanoi.

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