The European Commission (EC)’s fifth inspection on Vietnam’s fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing will be the decisive time for Vietnam to have the EC’s “yellow card” warning removed, requiring the whole political system to take this as an important task and act with the highest determination, according to a Government Office announcement on Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang’s conclusions at a recent conference.

The announcement said that at the National Steering Committee for IUU Fishing Prevention and Control's conference, the Deputy PM highly valued efforts by ministries, sectors, and localities over the past time.

However, he pointed out existing shortcomings and weaknesses, saying that several missions have lagged behind the EC’s recommendations due to the poor awareness of both local leaders and fishermen and limitations in coordination between authorities as well as the inspection and handling of violations.

Therefore, Deputy PM Quang requested high concentration on implementing urgent and key tasks and solutions from now to September, ensuring there are specific data and proven results to work with the EC inspection team.

It is a must to seriously put in place the Party Central Committee's Secretariat and Government’s related documents with a view to having the European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood removed soon, he stressed.

The official also required localities to optimise their resources, bolster coordination with competent authorities, and roll out harmonious and drastic solutions, including the handling of violations, the improvement of traceability, and the enhancement of inspections and supervisions over boats’ operation, while promoting standout examples in the fight./.

Australia showcases technology capabilities at HCM City event

A delegation of Australian technology company executives is in Vietnam this week for the Australia Southeast Asia Business Exchange Mission that opened in Ho Chi Minh City on June 24.

The delegation comprising senior representatives of 13 DigiTech companies are showcasing their capabilities in cybersecurity, fintech and agtech, and raising awareness of business opportunities and possible investments by Australian and Vietnamese companies.

The visitors met HCM City’s leaders, industry associations, technology experts, venture capital firms, and potential business partners to better understand the local tech ecosystem and explore partnership opportunities.

The 2024 Australia – Vietnam Tech Forum held on June 25 by the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) welcomed more than 100 Vietnamese participants from the tech industry.

As part of the mission, Austrade launched the Landing Pad programme for Vietnam at the forum. It is based in HCM City.

The Landing Pad will provide support for Australian businesses to drive technology exports to the region and boost Vietnam’s digital transformation.

“The Landing Pad programme will help market-ready Australian technology scale-ups to develop an effective go-to market strategy and secure partnerships in Vietnam, contributing to Southeast Asia’s continued digital transformation,” Daniel Boyer, Deputy CEO of Austrade, said.

The Vietnamese government and industry are prioritising the digitisation of services and looking to invest in new technologies.

In 2023 Vietnam’s digital economy expanded by 19% to 30 billion USD to rank third in Southeast Asia behind Indonesia and Thailand, according to Google, Temasek and Bain & Company. By 2030 it is projected to be worth 120–200 billion USD.

Rebecca Ball, senior trade and investment commissioner, said: “There is growing demand for cybersecurity, fintech and agtech solutions in Vietnam.

“The Vietnamese Government prioritises cybersecurity, data protection and privacy, which aligns with the Australia- Vietnam Enhanced Economic Engagement Digital Scoping Strategy.

"The fintech industry is growing exponentially here and is expected to reach 18 billion USD in value by the end of 2024.

“In terms of the agriculture sector, there are opportunities for technological solutions for water management, carbon capture, climate risk, IoT, and AI.

“Australia has the capabilities to help meet all these needs. And we are here to support Vietnamese and Australian companies partner together for a brighter digital future.”

A-SEABX is an Australian programme to grow trade with Southeast Asia and raise awareness of business opportunities and possible investments between Australia and 10 key markets, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Timor-Leste, and Brunei.

In these markets, the business exchange will focus on 10 priority sectors: agriculture and food, resources, green energy transition, infrastructure, education and skills, visitor economy, healthcare, digital economy, professional and financial services, and creative industries./.

Green energy training centre makes debut in Can Tho

The "Centre of Excellence" project, a centre for green energy training, has made its debut at a recent conference of the Union of Friendship Organisations of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho.

This project is carried out from 2024 to 2028 under a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the Philippines-based Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST), the union, the Can Tho University’s College of Engineering, the Can Tho University of Technology, and the Can Tho Vocational College.

It aims to improve skills and employment opportunities for the youth and women in the field of green electricity, and establish a platform that can connect the industry’s demand with certified technicians.

In particular, the project will equip the schools with green power or automation laboratories. The colleges will provide market-oriented training courses on green electricians and Industry 4.0. Their lecturers will also receive training from foreign experts.

With a total budget of 30,000 EUR (over 32,000 USD), the project is implemented by Schneider Electric of France, a multinational company specialising in green energy and automation solutions, through ASSIST Vietnam. The Schneider Foundation pledged to supply equipment worth 20,000 EUR, and the remaining 10,000 EUR will be covered by the local schools.

According to the Can Tho Union of Friendship Organisations, the project marks a collaborative effort to train excellent human resources for Vietnam's labour market. This initiative is seen as a good start for broader and deeper cooperation opportunities among the parties in the future./.

Moscow symposium highlights Mekong River issues

Scholars from Vietnam, Russia and many other countries have been gathering at a symposium in Moscow from June 26 to 28 to discuss issues in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) and feasible solutions.

The event aims to define the current situation in the GSM based on reports from experts, and the prospects of researching development issues in the region, as well as the viewpoints of particular countríe in the region, thus seeking methods and orientations to settle regional issues.

Participants have shared their opinions on the development of the river, and gave recommendations and feasible solutions.

On the first day, the function focused on three topics - the global scale of the Mekong agenda; the development of the Mekong sub-region; and water - a source of prosperity.

Reports at the event analysed the current status of water use in the river and discussed issues facing countries along it, as well as the influence of major countries and impact in the region. In general, the reports emphasised the need for cooperation to find ways to exploit and jointly use Mekong River water resources in a fashion that ensures balance of interests of all parties.

Many scholars believe that the Russia, with sound relations with countries in the Mekong sub-region and advanced science and experience in managing many large rivers in this country, can support the parties to consider and seek effective ways to use Mekong River water resources to ensure a balance of benefits, while providing scientific and technical and management support to regional countries to preserve the ecological environment and exploit the river for a long term.

In his report, Dmitry Mosyakov, Director of the Centre for the Study of Southeast Asia, Australia and Oceania under the Institute of Oriental Studies, recommended the formation of a common binding document to solve existing problems and ensure balance of interests among the Mekong upstream and downstream countries./.

Sports event helps bond Vietnamese, Cambodian rubber workers

The Vietnam Rubber Group Joint Stock Company (VRG) organised a sports event for its Vietnamese and Cambodian workers in Cambodia’s Kampong Thom province from June 24 to 26.

The event saw the participation of 16 delegations with nearly 500 members from VRG affiliates across Cambodia, half of them Cambodians. They competed in six sports, namely football, volleyball, badminton, tug of war, tennis, and petanque.

VRG Deputy Director General Huynh Kim Nhut said that the event took place on the occasion of the 57th anniversary of the Vietnam - Cambodia diplomatic ties (June 24, 1967 - 2024) and on the threshold of the 95th anniversary of the Vietnamese rubber sector's traditional day (October 28, 1929 - 2024).

He emphasised that the success of this sports event demonstrated the group's care for workers at its member units in Cambodia.

Nhut also highlighted the member companies' role in joining hands with the administration and the people of Kampong Thom to build new-style rural areas, improve the quality of workers' life, and contribute to the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as between the VRG and the province.

Nguyen Tien Dung, Director General of the Chu Se-Kampong Thom Rubber Joint Stock Company - an affiliate of the VRG, said that it was his company's honour to host the event which provided an occasion for Vietnamese and Cambodian workers to strengthen solidarity.

Cambodia is currently home to 407,172 ha of rubber trees, of which 320,184 ha (79%) are being harvested. Enterprises are managing 226,840 ha of industrial-scale rubber plantations, 56%, while farming households 180,332 ha./.

Minister meets Vietnamese scientists, intellectuals in Germany

Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat had a meeting on June 26 in Berlin with scientists and intellectuals of the Vietnamese origin in Germany to listen to their policy proposals and answer their queries, towards promoting scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.

Dat said that a contingent of more than 500,000 overseas Vietnamese intellectuals, many of whom hold important positions in reputable research institutes, universities, and business corporations around the world, is valuable scientific human resources for innovation in Vietnam, including contributions by Vietnamese scientists in Germany.

Participating scientists raised their queries related to legal frameworks, and financial support mechanisms and policies to attract overseas Vietnamese intellectuals.

Some proposed the allowance of national data sharing in the field of international research cooperation because it helps enhance Vietnam's global model and international reputation.

Dat affirmed that the Ministry of Science and Technology always pays attention to and builds favourable legal corridors for Vietnamese scientists at home and abroad to participate in research and innovation activities.

It will continue coordinating closely with relevant ministries and sectors in building and implementing mechanisms and policies, promoting activities to attract and encourage Vietnamese intellectuals, experts, and scientists abroad in general and in Germany in particular to contribute to the cause of science, technology, innovation and sustainable development of the country, he added./.

Meeting held to mark anti-drug action month

A meeting in response to the Action Month for Drug Prevention and Control was jointly held by the Ministry of Public Security and the central province of Nghe An on June 26.

Speaking at the event, which saw the attendance of officials from nine provinces bordering Laos, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long asked ministries, sectors, and localities to push forwards with fighting drug-related crimes, carrying out the 2021 Law on Drug Prevention and Control, and promoting anti-drug communications with diversified contents and forms.

Focus should be put on drug hotspots and high-risk groups, especially youths, students, and workers, to enhance the entire society's "immunity" against the scourge of drugs, he said.

Long also requested functional forces to strengthen measures to prevent drug supply sources, crack down on illegal drug use spots, and improve infrastructure and the quality of drug detoxification and post-detoxification management.

In Nghe An, after more than two years of implementing and expanding the model of "drug-free border communes", 227 out of the 460 commune-level localities have been recognised as "drug-free" areas. Five district-level localities have recorded 100% of their communes free of drugs.

However, the drug crime situation in the province remains complicated, drugs smuggled from abroad into Nghe An have not been thoroughly prevented, and the number of addicts is still high, which are conditions for crimes and social evils to grow.

At the meeting, outstanding local collectives and individuals were awarded certificates of merit by the Ministry of Public Security and the chairperson of the Nghe An provincial People's Committee for their excellent achievements in implementing and promoting the model of “drug-free border communes”./.

RHVAC Vietnam 2024 to be held in HCM City in November

New technologies in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) and cleanroom sectors will be showcased at the International Exhibition on Refrigeration, HVAC, Cleanrooms, and High-Tech Factory Auxiliary Equipment (RHVAC Vietnam 2024).

The event will take place from 21 to 23 November at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City.

This year’s exhibition is expected to feature 150 booths and attract over 7,000 visitors, including investors, distribution businesses, service and installation providers, and professionals, engineers and lecturers in the HVAC sectors. The event will bring together major brands from Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), Europe, Singapore, Malaysia, India and China.

Cleanfact & RHVAC Vietnam 2024 is organised by the International Brand and Communication Joint Stock Company (IBC), INTECH Group, the Vietnam Society of Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (VISRAE) and the Busan Exhibition and Convention Centre (BEXCO), the second-largest exhibition centre in the RoK.

The HVAC sector plays a crucial role in various aspects of life, from residential, commercial, and service sectors to healthcare, public buildings and industrial facilities. The demand for air conditioning in buildings and transportation has surged due to global warming.

A specialised application within the HVAC sector is cleanrooms, which are essential in high-tech industries such as semiconductor manufacturing, electronics, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, health supplements, surgical rooms, IVF facilities and tissue banks. Although a relatively new field in Vietnam, cleanrooms have quickly become a significant trend influencing most high-tech sectors.

Cao Dai Thang, Chairman of INTECH Group, said: “The cleanroom technology market is estimated to reach 9.37 billion USD by 2024 and is expected to grow to 13.21 billion USD by 2029, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.11% during the forecast period (2024-2029). The Asia-Pacific region is considered the fastest-growing market.”

Choi Jong Dae, a representative from BEXCO, said: “The participation of BEXCO and Korean Cleanroom and RHVAC exhibitors will help strengthen the connection between Korean and Vietnamese technology companies, fostering collaboration and mutual growth.”

A highlight of this year’s event is the RHVAC Techshow 2024, where innovative and advanced solutions in the HVAC sector will be showcased by leading domestic and international companies. Additionally, the Cleanroom Technology Forum will offer insights and updates on new and specialised solutions, with presentations from experts from various international organisations providing valuable information for professionals in the RHVAC and cleanroom sectors.

According to experts, the HVAC sector currently consumes 16% of the total energy in Vietnam. Therefore, accessing and applying new technologies in this field is crucial, especially as Vietnam implements its commitments at COP26 and aims for net-zero emissions by 2050./.

Clinical research contributes to development of new cancer treatment methods

Clinical research plays a significant role in developing and applying new methods for diagnosing and treating cancer, which has helped extend the lives of late-stage lung cancer patients from mere months to years, said health experts.

According to Dr Do Anh Tu, Deputy Director of the National Cancer Hospital, in Vietnam, lung cancer ranks third in prevalence after liver and breast cancer, but it has the second-highest mortality rate.

Each year, there are 26,262 new cases of lung cancer in Vietnam, with 23,797 deaths annually. This indicates that lung cancer remains a significant burden both globally and in Vietnam.

The doctor pointed out that most early-stage lung cancer patients do not exhibit clear clinical symptoms. The disease progresses silently, and it is only when symptoms appear that patients seek medical attention, by which time the cancer is usually advanced and metastatic.

For instance, in 2023, 73.6% of lung cancer patients treated at Ho Chi Minh City’s Cho Ray Hospital were in advanced, metastatic stages, with only over 26% detected at an early stage.

Currently, with available treatment methods and the capabilities of healthcare professionals, lung cancer can be cured if detected and treated early.

According to Tu, although Vietnam does not yet have a national screening programme, efforts in diagnosis have increased the surgery rates for lung cancer patients.

"We are living in the era of targeted therapy and immunotherapy, but traditional therapies like chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery remain the backbone of treatment. The combination of classic and new methods has improved treatment outcomes for patients," he said.

In particular, the survival time for late-stage lung cancer patients, which used to be measured in months, can now extend to several years.

Tu emphasised the critical importance of clinical trials in treating cancer patients, including those with lung cancer, to achieve these results.

Among the many clinical studies conducted in Vietnam, the research on patients with locally advanced, inoperable non-small cell lung cancer has produced particularly outstanding results. This study was recently presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Conference.

Specifically, the patients' survival time without disease progression was extended to 39.1 months. This success is the result of collaboration and joint efforts by researchers from various hospitals across the country.

According to Dr Nguyen Ngo Quang, Acting Director of the Department of Science, Technology and Training under the Ministry of Health, the number of clinical studies in Vietnam has increased rapidly in recent years. This reflects the dedication and commitment of scientists, doctors and the entire healthcare system. This growth also demonstrates Vietnam’s potential and aspirations for development in the healthcare sector.

In 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspected research at two clinical trial sites in Vietnam. The results showed that no additional measures were necessary. This is a source of pride for Vietnam, showcasing the advancements in clinical research and earning high trust from the international community.

Clinical research is a crucial and necessary phase in the process of developing new treatment solutions or pharmaceuticals, contributing to changes in treatment practices and having a positive impact on human health.

Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Lien Huong believed that Vietnam has gained significant advancements from traditional chemotherapy methods to targeted drugs and advanced immunotherapy in cancer treatment. These achievements have not only improved treatment efficacy but also brought hope to many patients.

Huong said the approval of research proposals indicated that clinical trial units in Vietnam had actively participated and were trusted by international organisations as research sites.

As a result, the number of clinical trials in our country had increased rapidly in recent years. Many hospitals had participated in multi-centre clinical trials, conducted according to international standards.

Numerous studies had positively contributed to changing clinical practice methods and discovering new drugs that improve patient outcomes, from extending survival times and enhancing quality of life to increasing chances of cure, she added.

Clinical trials provided many patients with opportunities to access new medications, reducing treatment costs.

Huong said the ministry had always regarded the promotion of scientific research and the development of new products as one of its top priorities. In recent times, the ministry had established and refined the legal framework for these activities.

Based on this foundation, the ministry had standardised procedures, conducted evaluations, and issued Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certificates to clinical trial facilities.

Additionally, the ministry had enhanced the capabilities of researchers to facilitate the development and implementation of high-quality clinical trials for new product development, ensuring they meet international standards, she stressed./.

Rare sea turtles released to nature

Three rare sea turtles, including two hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) and one green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas), were released into the waters off Phan Thiet city, the south central province of Binh Thuan on June 26.

A local, who had kept the turtles for years, voluntarily handed them to the provincial Department of Fisheries after learning that they are endangered species. Losing their hunting instinct for being held captive in fresh water, they were then transferred to the Dau Tieng wildlife conservation station for care.

The reptiles were in good conditions at the time they returned to the nature.

Hawksbill and green sea turtles are on the verge of extinction, and listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Vietnam’s Red Books.

In Vietnam, any act of illegally hunting, killing, raising, confining, possessing, transporting, or trading in sea turtles or their parts and products is a serious violation of the law and may be subject to prosecution with a penalty of up to 15 years in prison./.

Vietnamese tourism potential promoted in France

A tourism promotion programme was held by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) and the Vietnamese Embassy in France on June 25 as part of the activities to promote Vietnamese tourism in Europe.

The Vietnam Tourism Roadshow attracted a large number of representatives from travel agencies, tourism associations, hotels, airlines, and the media from both France and Vietnam.

Addressing the event, VNAT General Director Nguyen Trung Khanh said for more than five decades since France and Vietnam established diplomatic relations, the two countries have become special partners.

In the context of integration, the two sides have significant potential to complement each other in cooperation and development, especially in the field of tourism, he noted, highlighting the potential and advantages for Vietnam to further develop unique and novel tourism products, especially cultural and historical tourism, eco-tourism, and sea and island tourism.

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

According to Khanh, France is one of the traditional and major markets of Vietnam in Europe. Nearly 216,000 French tourists visited Vietnam last year, 75% of the pre-COVID-19 period, making it the second-largest market of Vietnam in the European Union (EU).

Over the recent years, the two countries’ tourism sectors have engaged in many cooperative activities to facilitate tourism exchange.

Vietnam Airlines and Air France have operated direct flights connecting major cities and tourist hubs of the two countries. The Vietnamese tourism sector has actively conducted tourism promotion activities in France to further boost tourism exchange. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese government has waived visas for French visitors since 2015 and extended the temporary stay for French travelers to 45 days starting from August 15, 2023.

Convenient direct flights, simple entry and exit procedures, attractive destinations and products, and the hospitality of the people are ideal conditions to promote tourism cooperation between the two countries, Khanh said.

The event offers a good chance for Vietnamese and French travel firms to update information and discuss ways to expand business cooperation in the time to come, he added.

Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang said the event helps promote the image of Vietnamese tourism, thus strengthening the France – Vietnam relations.

Room remains large for the two sides to intensify their tourism bond, the diplomat said, expressing his belief that the bilateral cooperation in this field will become stronger in the coming years.

In the framework of the programme, many activities for connecting and establishing business partnerships between Vietnamese and French travel agencies were arranged./.

International Yoga Day marked in Ben Tre for first time

As many as 150 people joined a yoga performance in the southern province of Ben Tre on June 26 to mark the 10th International Yoga Day themed “Yoga for Women’s Empowerment”.

The event, the first of its kind in Ben Tre, was co-organised by the provincial People’s Committee and the Indian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. It also aimed celebrate the 52nd anniversary of the Vietnam-India diplomatic ties and the 17th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Vice Chairwoman of the People's Committee Nguyen Thi Be Muoi said the International Yoga Day 2024 emphasises the role of women in social development, especially their contributions to families and national and global development.

She said yoga, with its comprehensive approach to improving physical and mental health, acts as a tool to empower women, helping them stay stronger in all aspects of life.

The official added that the event not only helps to promote cultural, sports, and tourism exchanges between India and Vietnam, including Ben Tre province, but also affirms the friendship and solidarity between the two peoples.

The celebration offers an opportunity for yogis and yoga clubs to exchange experiences, while promoting the image of Ben Tre and Vietnam in general to international friends, she said.

According to Secretary of the Indian Consulate General Deepak Yadav, the 2023 International Yoga Day drew the participation of 23.44 million people./.

Vietnam becomes attractive destination for international celebrities

There are an increasing number of entertainment events, fashion shows, and international beauty pageants organised in Vietnam and broadcasted on global social media platforms, attracting attention from both domestic and international audiences.

Over the past weekend, representatives of the Miss World Organisation arrived in Ho Chi Minh City to participate in various entertainment activities.

At the Vietnam Beauty Fashion Fest on June 23 evening, Miss World 2019 Toni Ann Singh surprised and delighted the audience when she appeared in an 'Ao dai' (traditional Vietnamese dress) adorned with a conical hat.

The 28-year-old Miss World from Jamaica expressed her deep emotion and pride in performing a song about Vietnam, as she has long held affection for the country and its people.

Similarly, the glamorous appearances and numerous activities of Miss World 2024 Krystyna Pyszková in Vietnam, showcasing Vietnamese designers’ outfits and makeup styles, have garnered positive interactions across international media platforms, contributing to promoting the images of HCM City in particular and Vietnam in general, especially unique culture, tourism, cuisine, and fashion industry, to international friends.

In the past two years, a slew of world-renowned artists have continuously flocked to Vietnam, participating in high-profile shows that captivate not only Vietnamese audiences but also international spectators and tourists from neighboring countries. This trend underscores Vietnam's growing appeal as a favoured destination for international celebrities.

The cultural events currently taking place in Vietnam and those scheduled ahead have helped effectively promote Vietnam's images, contributing to not only the economy and tourism but also improving the position of Vietnam's showbiz industry./.

Hanoi strives to stimulate travel in off-season period

Hanoi is stepping up domestic travel stimulation and advertising local destinations in the current off-season period in an effort to reach this year’s target of about 26.5 million tourists, including 5 million international visitors.

The capital city has attracted more than 14 million visitors so far this year, rising 13.7% from a year earlier. That includes 3.16 million foreign arrivals, soaring 52.6% year on year, statistics show.

To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Capital’s Liberation Day (October 10) and other important events, the local tourism sector is holding a wide range of activities, including festivals and tourism promotion programmes.

In particular, the Hanoi Tourism Gift Festival 2024 is scheduled from August 23 to 25 to introduce unique and creative products and gifts of Hanoians to domestic and foreign visitors.

Meanwhile, the Hanoi Tourism Ao dai Festival from October 4 to 6 is expected to be another magnet for travellers. To be held at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel and some other places in the city, it aims to honour ao dai – a traditional costume of Vietnam, and cultural values of the country and the city.

Director of the municipal Tourism Department Dang Huong Giang said more destination introduction and travel stimulation activities will be organised to promote Hanoi as a destination with distinctive, unique, quality, and competitive tourism products, thereby drawing more domestic visitors in the off-season period.

Besides, they also aim to boost cooperation among tourism authorities, associations, airlines, travel companies, accommodation establishments, transport firms, and destination managers to foster the sector’s comprehensive development, she noted.

The official elaborated that her department will organise conferences to advertise destinations of the city, disseminate the travel stimulation plan to tourism businesses, devise solutions to difficulties facing insiders, and work out a roadmap for tourism development in both short and long terms.

Efforts will be made to connect airlines and destinations’ managing units with travel companies, she went on, noting that promotion activities are also planned in other key tourism provinces and cities to advertise local tours along with coming cultural and sports events.

In addition, Hanoi is augmenting actions to create a safe, friendly, and civilised tourism environment and ensure visitors’ interests. The department is coordinating with sectors and localities to prevent, detect, and deal with wrongdoings and handle tourists’ opinions in a timely manner, according to Giang./.

Vietnam adopts measures to have EC's IUU "yellow card" removed: Indonesian expert

Vietnam has taken measures to have the European Commission’s “yellow card” removed for Vietnamese seafood products regarding illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, Veeramalla Anjaiah, a senior research fellow at the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS) and senior journalist based in Jakarta, has said.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s correspondents in Jakarta, Anjaiah said that a lot of solutions have been adopted by the government, ministries and localities of Vietnam since 2017, thus creating tangible changes in the fight against IUU fishing.

All of the EC’s recommendations on IUU fishing were included in the Law on Fisheries. However, the enforcement of the law has shown several challenges due to limited human resources of the fishery sector and loose coordination between localities in informing authorities of violating fishing vessels.

Southeast Asian countries have suffered heavy economic losses due to IUU fishing, which usually accounts for about 20% of their seafood output, resulting in a significant loss to the national economies. Indonesia suffered the most among member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

According to the expert, 20-38% of Indonesia’s seafood exports are reported to have been caught illegally by local fishermen and foreign vessels. It is estimated that illegal fishing activities cause loss of at least 3 billion USD for Indonesia each year.

Indonesia ranks 6th out of 152 countries in terms of vulnerability to IUU fishing after China, Russia, Yemen, India and Iran.

In 2016, Indonesia ratified the Port State Measures Agreement (PSMA), aimed at foreign fishing vessels entering or using designated fishing port facilities to prevent, deter, and eliminate IUU fishing. It has also used technology such as automatic identification system (AIS) and vessel monitoring system (VMS) and taken tough actions against IUU fishing and several other measures, to protect the country's aquatic resources.

Indonesia’s crackdown on IUU fishing is paying off for the domestic fishery sector and fish recovery, according to a 2018 study. It showed that foreign fishing activities in Indonesia had declined by more than 90%, and total catches dropped by 25% since 2014, when the government banned foreign fishing boats from its waters, among other restrictions.

Anjaiah said that Indonesia and Vietnam have cooperated well in the field of aquaculture. The two sides have recently reached an agreement to develop the lobster farming industry, he added.

The expert went on to say that Vietnam is one of the world's largest producers of farmed lobsters, while Indonesia is the world's largest archipelago and the country with the second largest wild-caught seafood output, after China. Indonesia supplies lobsters, shrimps and many types of fish to Vietnam./.

Unmanned wooden boat to be destroyed in Quang Tri

An unmanned wooden boat that had been left stranded onto Gio Hai beach of Gio Linh district in the central province of Quang Tri will be destroyed, announced Le Duc Tien, vice chairman of the Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee, on June 27.

According to the official, in March local residents detected an empty wooden boat that had drifted onto the beach.

The boat is made of wood, with a length of 11 metres, a width of three metres, and a height of three metres. There were neither any people nor machinery aboard, as well as information about the vessel’s origin and owner.

Following inspection work, local authorities decided to destroy it on request of Quang Tri Maritime Port Authority.

Earlier, an 18-metre-long boat was seen on a beach of Trieu Van commune in Quang Tri’s Trieu Phong district in 2021 without anyone on board. Some of the boat’s equipment was in a foreign language.

Local authorities had decided to auction off the abandoned boat after failing to identify the ship owner.

The starting price was set at VND20 million, but there were no bidders.

Hoi An named as world’s top best value destination for 2024

The ancient city of Hoi An in Vietnam’s central Quang Nam has topped the list of the best value destinations worldwide for this year, according to the UK’s Post Office study.

The famous and long-standing travel magazine Condé Nast Traveller of the United States quoted a study conducted by the UK’s Post Office, saying Vietnam topped the rankings for the first time.

Hoi An, which used to a bustling merchant port city, leads the way for travelers on a budget thanks to lower charges at local restaurants and bars, said the article.

The Post Office’s Worldwide Holiday Costs Barometer combines the average local price of eight popular tourist items. Hoi An leads the way with things like beer at about US$1.47, Coca-Cola at about US$0.91, and sunscreen at about US$4.70. Lower costs mean that the city has jumped up from sixth place in the 2023 rankings to the top spot this year.

The article also suggested that travelers should spend mornings on the pristine beaches, afternoons touring the array of fascinating historical sites in the area, and evenings seeking out the tastiest corners of the Hoi An Night Market.

Best of all, it’s one of the best places in the world to catch up on quality shut-eye, according to the Skyscanner 2024 UK Travel Trends Report, which analysed cities with hotels with the best sleep quality scores.

The 2024 report by Post Office placed Cape Town, last year’s winner, in second place. Local costs have risen, although it’s still the cheapest place for a three-course meal at about US$44.64.

The South African city was followed by Mombasa of Kenya, Tokyo of Japan, and the Algarve of Portugal.

Rounding off the list are Sharm el-Sheikh of Egypt, Sunny Beach of Bulgaria, Kuta of Bali, Marmaris of Turkey, and Paphos of Cyprus.

The list of the world’s top best value destinations for 2024 highlights the global destinations where travelers’ money goes further, Condé Nast Traveller wrote.

The Post Office’s report looked at various factors likely to influence holiday decision-making in 2024, ranging from exchange rates to the cost of eating out and visiting each destination's most popular tourist attractions.

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