Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 7 received a visiting delegation of Japanese economic organisations, who are in Vietnam to attend the Vietnam-Japan high-level economic conference.

Chinh took the occasion to praise the practical contributions of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC), Japan Business Federation (Keidanren), and the Vietnam-Japan economic committee to the implementation of major infrastructure projects and those supported by Japan on training and capacity improvement for better business climate and competitiveness of Vietnam.

After five decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the countries’ relations are thriving across all fields with high mutual trust, the PM affirmed, adding that Japan remains a top economic partner of Vietnam.
He noted that Vietnam is making efforts to beef up production, business, and infrastructure investment, hence its big need for resources serving development.

While suggesting JICA and JBIC work closely with Vietnamese competent agencies to come up with more effective cooperation methods, Chinh encouraged Japanese firms to expand their investment in Vietnam’s infrastructure, energy, support industries, high quality farming, IT, smart urban development, finance-banking, and innovation, among other sectors.

He stated the Vietnamese Government is committed to accompanying the business community and facilitating their operations, bringing about mutual benefits and lifting the countries’ relations to a new height.

The Government leader proposed the Japanese side boost policy dialogue with Vietnam to share information and experience in completing law for business climate improvement; promote Vietnam’s potential for investment and partnerships to Japanese enterprises; and help the Southeast Asian nation develop its support industries and innovation, among others.

For their part, the Japanese delegates underscored their commitment to beefing up investment in Vietnam, particularly in infrastructure, environment and energy.

They lauded Vietnam’s commitment to the net zero goal and recommended the country join mechanisms within the G7 and G20 cooperation frameworks.

Theoretical, practical values of Party leader’s book on corruption fight highlighted

Experts and scholars gathered at a conference in Hanoi on March 6 to highlight the theoretical and practical values of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s book on the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena, which was published in February.

The book, entitled "Resolutely, persistently fighting corruption and negative phenomena to contribute to building more transparent and stronger Party and State", was published on the occasion of the 93rd anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the 10th anniversary of the Central Steering Committee on Prevention and Control of Corruption and Negative Phenomena.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, underlined that the book has a significant importance in both theoretical and practical aspects, showing the leader’s thorough, consistent and persistent ideology on the fight against corruption, contributing to completing the Party’s ideology on the prevention and combat of corruption and other negative phenomena.

It carries theoretical and practical values that serve as a “sharp weapon” for the protection of the Party’s ideological foundation and refutal of wrongful arguments by hostile and reactionary forces regarding the Party and State’s anti-corruption activities, while spreading the determination among the whole political system and the entire society on the implementation of this important task, said Thang.

Participants agreed that the book is important as a “handbook” for the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena in Vietnam.

They emphasised that the book clarifies the orientations and tasks in the time to come, with special attention to the institution building and completion in various fields, thus perfecting the corruption prevention mechanism.

They highlighted the Party leader’s idea that the prevention and control of corruption and other negative phenomena must focus on preventing the downgrade of political ideology, morality and lifestyle of State officials, Party members and public servants, stressing that the problem should be tackled from its root - the personnel and personnel work.

Along with providing officials and people with better understanding of the goal of the country’s fight against corruption, the book also helps reinforce the people’s confidence in the Party’s leadership and State’s management, thus raising their determination in successfully completing all socio-economic targets, they held.

With nearly 100 photos, the 600-page book comprises three parts.

The first part focuses on issues drawn from the fight against corruption and other negative phenomena in Vietnam, featuring the Party chief’s article reviewing the combat since the establishment of the steering committee in 2013, along with his closing remarks made at national conferences on the fight in 2014, 2018, 2020 and 2022, and 36 meetings of the steering committee.

The second introduces 22 articles on Party building and rectification by the Party chief, including four reviewing the work since the first years of Doi Moi (Reform), and eight on the improvement of morality and lifestyle of officials and Party members, including some written in the 1970s.

The last is a collection of opinions and assessments by the people from different walks of life, National Assembly deputies, and foreign politicians and scholars on Vietnam’s anti-corruption efforts under the Party leadership.

In the past decade, relevant agencies nationwide have commenced legal proceedings against 2,657 corruption cases involving 5,841 people, and prosecuted 2,628 cases with 6,199 defendants.

Vietnam, Japan promote information exchange, cooperation in crime prevention

Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General To Lam on March 6 hosted a reception for Secretary-General of Japan's National Security Secretariat (NSS) Akiba Takeo, during which he called for the regular exchange of information between the two sides to strengthen their practical cooperation.

The minister proposed the Japanese side step up collaboration in the fields of justice, fire prevention and rescue, and fighting against high-tech crime, and share experience in digitalising administrative management. The exchange of delegations at all levels should be enhanced, he went on.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam has focused on ensuring a good political security environment, social order and safety to serve the country's green growth and sustainable economic development, with priority given to the expansion of organic agriculture, deep processing of agricultural products for export and promoting digital transformation in basic industries, Lam said, adding that there are many opportunities for Japanese enterprises to invest in Vietnam.

Lam suggested the Japanese side support and help with United Nations peacekeeping operation activities of the Vietnamese People's Public Security Force.

For his part, Takeo highly appreciated the results achieved by the two sides in their collaboration over the past time.

He believed that the cooperative relationship between the two countries in general and between relevant agencies of Japan and the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam in particular, would continue developing in a more practical manner, especially in the fight against crimes.

Vietnam considers Japan as long-term strategic partner: PM

Vietnam consistently considers Japan as a long-term, trustworthy, leading important and strategic partner, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told Secretary-General of Japan's National Security Secretariat Akiba Takeo during a reception for the later in Hanoi on March 6.

PM Chinh hailed the significance of Takeo’s visit at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties.

He wished that Japan would make increasingly positive contributions in the region and the world, especially in its capacity as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2023-2024 tenure and G7 President in 2023, for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development.

Regarding Vietnam’s foreign policy, the PM underlined the need to abide by the UN Charter and basic principles of international law, including non-interference in internal affairs, not use or threat to use force in international relations, and settling disputes through peaceful means. On global issues, it is necessary to uphold international solidarity and heighten multilateralism, he said.

Amid complicated and uncertain developments in the region and the world, PM Chinh urged the two countries to reinforce ties, further uphold the efficiency of cooperation mechanisms and work more closely together on strategic issues in the region.

The leader suggested the two sides work closely together to successfully hold major event in celebration of the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties as well as further deepening the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership.

He also proposed the two sides continue concretising and deploying common perceptions reached by the two countries’ leaders; enhance practical coordination in various areas; further step up economic-trade and investment ties, especially in strategic infrastructure; soon implement new-generation official development assistance; and promote innovation, digital and green transformation, circular economy, knowledge-based economy, and climate change response.

The PM asked for Japan’s support to build an independent and self-reliant Vietnamese economy which extensively and effectively integrates into the world.

The Vietnamese leader proposed the two sides share strategic visions on the regional and global situation; support each other at multilateral forums and mechanisms; effectively cope with rapid and complicated developments in the region and the world; and coordinate together in promoting economic linkages and regional free trade.

PM Chinh said the two sides should continue caring for and creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Japan and Japanese nationals in Vietnam, thus upholding their roles as bridges linking the two nations together.

Takeo, for his part, expressed his full support for PM Chinh’s proposals and directions and vowed to report them to Japanese leaders and work with the two countries’ relevant agencies to lift the bilateral extensive strategic partnership to a new height.

He said Japan has learned a lot from Vietnam's foreign policy and integration. He believed that Vietnam's position and prestige will continue to be enhanced, and the country will play a more important role in the global supply chain.

On regional and global issues of shared concern, the host and guest emphasised the importance of the respect for the law, international unity, and multilateralism in international relations for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world while ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation, and settling disputes by peaceful measures in line with international law.

HCM City proposes multifaceted cooperation with Denmark

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai has suggested boosting cooperation with Denmark in energy transition and restructuring industries towards high-added value, green and sustainable development.

At a reception for Danish Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolai Prytz on March 6, Mai expressed his delight at the fruitful results in the relations between the two countries, saying a green development cooperation agreement which is about to be signed is not only suitable for the development trend of the world but also appropriate to developing countries like Vietnam.

Holding that total two-way trade turnover and investment of Danish investors in HCM City are still not commensurate with the potential and strengths of the two sides, Mai wanted to promote cooperation in the fields of investment and trade. He also underscored the importance of boosting collaboration in training and technology transfer to prepare human resources for industries that need high-quality human resources to serve the green development strategy.

For his part, Prytz said that Denmark has now established green strategic partnerships with some countries such as India, the Republic of Korea and South Africa. Denmark hoped to soon build a similar cooperative relationship with Vietnam because the Southeast Asian country has a lot of potential and ambition to transform energy in a more sustainable direction, he said.

At the meeting, the two sides also agreed to make joint efforts to further promote their relationship and make the best of their advantages.

Hà Nam defends U16 national title

Phong Phú Hà Nam successfully defended its National Girls' U16 Football Championship on March 5 in Hà Nội.

The reigning champion drew Thái Nguyên T&T 2-2 in the last match to secure 13 points to remain in first place.

Đào Thu Hiền opened the scoring for Thái Nguyên just 10 minutes into the game. Ngân Thị Thanh Hiếu levelled for Hà Nam four minutes later.

Trần Thị Hương easily tapped home a second goal for Thái Nguyên after receiving a ball from Thúy Nga at the 57th minute.

Captain Lê Hồng Yêu tied it up again in additional time after Hà Nam's many threatening attempts.

In the later match, Hà Nội met no difficulty trouncing HCM City 6-0.

Trương Thị Hoài Trinh and Hà Huyền Mai netted a double each while Lương Ngọc Ánh,  and Lê Thị Trang scored once each.

HCM City tried hard to fight back but their strikers could not convert any chance into a goal.

It was their second 6-0 loss at the tournament. They suffered the first one when played Hà Nam on March 2.

Hà Nam won their title and a bonus of VNĐ100 million. Their captain Yêu was the MVP of the tournament.

Hà Nội came in second and their players secured the individual titles of best goalkeeper for Trương Ngọc Ánh and top scorer for Hoài Trinh with six goals.

Third place went to Thái Nguyên, whose senior teammates won the National Cup trophy last week. 

Vietnam U23s to feature at friendly Doha Cup 2023

The Vietnamese U23 team are set to showcase their style under new coach Philippe Troussier at Doha Cup 2023 friendly tournament, which will be held in Qatar from March 22-28.

The tournament will feature eight Asian teams, including the Republic of  Korea, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Iraq, Thailand, Vietnam and the hosts Qatar.

For the Vietnamese team, the tournament will be a crucial warm-up for the Southeast Asian Games in Cambodia in May. With the squad gearing up for these high-profile events, their performance in Doha will be closely watched by football enthusiasts and experts alike.

Newly-appointed coach Troussier is looking forward to taking charge at his first tournament.

Troussier named many outstanding players for the U23 squad, including several players he led during his time with the U19 team. He has also given opportunities to players performing well in the V.League 1 and the 2023 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U20 Asian Cup finals in Uzbekistan.

The draw for the event will be held in early March, with each team competing in three matches, similar to the U23 Dubai Cup 2022.

At the Dubai Cup 2022, Vietnam finished ninth among a total of 10 participating teams after recording a goalless draw against Iraq and losing to Croatia and Uzbekistan with a score of 1-0.

HCMC Eye Hospital provides free glaucoma screening with AI software

Ho Chi Minh City-based Eye Hospital announced to provide free-of-charge rapid screening tests for glaucoma with AI software that could help advance early detection of the disease.

The hospital’s practical activity aims to help city dwellers to be examined for early detection of the disease. At the same time, city inhabitants even the poor can access new technology - artificial intelligence software EyeDr.

The Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital yesterday said that in response to World Glaucoma Week 2023, the hospital managers decided to give free-of-charge examinations and consultations for 1,000 people at the hospital. In particular, this time the hospital will use the artificial intelligence software EyeDr in operation, helping clinicians determine which patients are likely to have the disease in the community.

Those over 40 years old having a family member with glaucoma or those having nearsightedness, farsightedness, or prolonged use of corticosteroids are eligible for registering for free examination. Customer care staff of Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital will arrange and confirm the appointment.

Tunnel construction proposed at Hoang Lien Pass to connect Lao Cai and Lai Chau

A tunnel with an altitude of 2,000 meters connecting Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces will be constructed to replace the dangerous 22-kilometer pass on National Highway 4D, shortening the travel time from nearly two hours to 11 minutes.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on February 2023 issued guidance on the investment of the tunnel construction project at the Hoang Lien Pass connecting Sa Pa Town, Lao Cai Province, with Tam Duong District, Lai Chau Province, cited the Vietnam News Agency.

The deputy prime minister requested the Lai Chau People’s Committee to complete the investment procedure and submit it to the competent authorities for approval on the investment policy in compliance with the law.

Based on the approved investment policy, the Lao Cai People’s Committee was requested to use its own budget for compensation for the site clearance and resettlement of the project.

The Ministry of Transport will take responsibility before the Prime Minister for inspecting and urging the implementation of the project to ensure its quality, accuracy and safety.

In April 2022, Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh approved in principle the Lai Chau People’s Committee as the project management unit.

Hoang Lien Pass, or O Quy Ho Pass, which is nearly 50 kilometers long, has two-thirds of its length passing through Tam Duong District, Lai Chau Province, with the remaining being in the territory of Sa Pa Town, Lai Cai Province.

Coach Ijiri confident ahead of AFC U20s Women's Asian Cup qualifiers

Coach Akira Ijiri of Vietnam’s U20 women’s team said on March 6 he is confident of a win over Indonesia in the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers.

Speaking at a press conference informing the opening match between Vietnam and Indonesia in the framework of Group F of the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2024 Qualifiers on March 7, Akira said his team have prepared very carefully for this round and will try their best to win the top place in the group.

The Japanese coach said Vietnam have won good results in Southeast Asia but still face many difficulties when competing in international and Asian tournaments. However, the team will work hard in the coming time to reach world-class events.

Coach Rudy Eka of Indonesia U20 women's team commented that Vietnam are a very strong team and have the advantage of playing at home.

At the press conference, both coaches Chris Yip-Au of Singapore and Maymol Rocky of India said that the Vietnam U20 women's team is the strongest team in the group.

The Vietnam-Indonesia match will take place at 6pm on March 7 at Viet Tri Stadium in the northern province of Phu Tho.

Kien Giang launches emulation campaign to combat illegal fishing

The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang has launched an emulation movement in the fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.

The emulation movement comprises two phases, from January to May and from June to December 2023. It targets collectives and individuals of authorised forces based in Kien Giang, including Naval Region 5, Coast Guard Region 4, Maritime Border Guard Unit 28, and Fisheries Resources Surveillance Region 5, along with districts and cities across the province.

The campaign focuses on promoting all-level Party committees and administrations’ sense of responsibility towards combatting IUU fishing, and increasing the dissemination of the Party’s viewpoints and guidelines, along with the State’s policies and laws on sustainable fisheries development and anti-IUU fishing among cadres and local residents. They must also focus on ramping up law enforcement, the settlement of violations, and the prevention of local fishing vessels from infringing foreign waters; properly conducting examinations and monitoring; and implementing the certification of seafood origins in line with rules.

Le Quoc Anh, Vice Chairman of the Kien Giang People’s Committee and standing deputy head of the province’s steering committee for anti-IUU fishing, said the emulation movement aims to effectively carry out legal regulations on fisheries so as to reduce and eradicate IUU fishing, thus contributing to Vietnam’s common efforts to remove the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning.

Kien Giang is applying itself to implementing the Government’s 180-day plan of action against IUU fishing. In this action plan, the Prime Minister demanded that by the end of May, localities must have put an end to illegal fishing in foreign waters, investigated and dealt with all cases of Vietnamese fishing vessels seized abroad, and imposed penalties on all IUU fishing cases.

The province is home to a sea area of more than 63,000sq.km, part of the historical waters between Vietnam and Cambodia, as well as part of the overlapping waters between Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand. It also boasts about 200km of coastline, a large number of river mouths and canals leading to the sea, and more than 140 islands and islets.

Hanoi car registration centres suffer overloading

Many people in Hanoi queue up overnight in front of overloaded local car registration centres.

Many people in Hanoi queue up overnight in front of overloaded local car registration centres on March 5.

On Sunday afternoon, lines of cars clogged streets in front of the Vehicle Registration Centre 2903V in Cau Giay District. People waited overnight to have their cars registered on the following day.

The lines were hundreds of metres long, affecting traffic in the area. Many vehicles need urgent registration or they would be unroadworthy.

A driver said that he had to queue from mid-Sunday, but still had to wait. The long queues of cars occupied a bus stop in Cau Giay District.

At 7 pm on Sunday, vehicles were put in two long lines in front of Vehicle Registration Centre 2903V in Cau Giay District.

Hanoi has 31 vehicle registration centres, however, 21 have been suspended following a range of arrests that have occurred in the vehicle registration sector as part of an investigation into fraud and bribery at centres nationwide.

HCMC seeks quick launch of HCMC-Con Dao ferry service

The HCMC Department of Transport has written to the Ba Ria-Vung Tau Department of Transport proposing cooperation in launching the HCMC-Con Dao express ferry service to meet the travel demand.

The Con Dao airport will be closed for repair for nine months, from April to December, while the island is mainly accessible by air for tourists in HCMC, the local media reported.

The launch of the waterway tourism service is necessary to facilitate travel between HCMC and Con Dao off the coast of Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province, according to the HCMC department.

To put the high-speed ferry service into operation soon, HCMC proposed Ba Ria-Vung Tau provide it with information about investment in the Ben Dam harbor expansion and Con Dao passenger terminal projects.

The HCMC department also wanted to know when the wharves in Con Dao District will be put into service.

The HCMC department told the Ba Ria-Vung Tau department to work with the government of Con Dao District and relevant agencies to decide which means of water transport are allowed to operate at the terminal so that firms can register for passenger transport.

Greenlines DP and Phu Quoc Express JSC will operate on the HCMC-Con Dao waterway route. The two firms have prepared their express ferries to transport passengers, but the boat service is pending procedures associated with the Ben Dam harbor and Con Dao passenger terminal projects done by Con Dao District.

In June last year, HCMC Chairman Phan Van Mai sent a dispatch to the Ba Ria-Vung Tau government proposing launching an express ferry service linking the city and Con Dao Island.

150-kg bomb deactivated in southern province

Sappers from the Military High Command of the southern province of Tra Vinh on March 6 successfully removed and deactivated a bomb weighing over 150 kg left from wartime.

The bomb was found in Truong Long Hoa commune, Duyen Hai town when villagers in Nha Mat hamlet were digging the foundation for construction. They quickly reported to authorities about the bomb.

The MK-81 bomb was buried deep in the ground for a long time, but it still had its fuse intact.

Decades after the end of the war, Vietnam still suffers from the deadly threat of bombs, mines, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) left by war.

According to the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre, all 63 provinces and centrally-run cities in Vietnam are contaminated with UXO, with 5.6 million hectares of land in total (17.71% of the country’s acreage) affected. It is estimated that between 600,000 – 800,000 tonnes of UXO are still hidden underground, and 110,000 people have so far become victims of UXO.

Ca Mau- Nam Du- Phu Quoc sea route to be resumed on March 18

A sea route connecting the Mekong Delta province of Ca Mau with Nam Du archipelago and Phu Quoc island district will be re-opened on March 18.

Phu Quoc high-speed boat docks at Ong Doc Passenger Port, Song Doc Town, Tran Van Thoi District, Ca Mau Province.

The Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Ca Mau Province has just informed that the Phu Quoc Express Joint-Stock Company is going to resume the high-speed boat service on the sea route from March 18.

In the first two weeks, Phu Quoc high-speed boat will operate once a week on Saturday, falling on March 18 and March 25 and depart from Ong Doc Passenger Port, Song Doc Town, Tran Van Thoi District, Ca Mau Province at 9 a.m.

From March 28, the route will operate with the frequency of three boats per week (on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday). From April 8, the high-speed boats will run every day on the route.

Previously, on July 7 of 2020, the Phu Quoc Express Joint Stock Company had opened the high-speed boat route linking Ca Mau Province with Nam Du archipelago and Phu Quoc island district. However, the Phu Quoc high-speed boat service had to suspend its operation for a prolonged period under the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Vietnam puts forward initiatives for global marine biodiversity conservation

UN member states, including Vietnam, have successfully reached consensus on the text of a treaty aimed at protecting the high seas, a fragile and vital treasure that covers nearly half the planet.

The Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement has received support of UN member states following years of talks, with its text being eventually finalised at an intergovernmental conference held in New York on March 5 (local time).  

The agreement came just after the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The success of the conference clearly demonstrates all countries’ political determination to conserve marine biodiversity in the high seas. This marks a historic milestone in the international community’s efforts in protecting the marine environment in support of the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially the Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG 14) relating to the conservation and sustainable use of the sea and marine resources.

The Vietnamese delegation led by Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of the Vietnam Mission to the UN, made a number of proposals regarding regulations on capacity building and marine technology transfer in the interest of developing nations. They also promoted the contents of the draft document in line with the provisions relating to the international law of the sea, taking into account Vietnamese rights and interests.

The document recognised the fundamental principle that marine genetic resources are the common heritage of mankind and are the basis for all benefits derived from marine genetic resources which can be shared equally with all countries. For the first time ‘digitised sequence information on genetic resources’, which are considered as a digital asset associated with marine genetic resources, and related benefits can be shared among the whole of humanity as set out in the agreement.

The document has important implications in terms of regulating biodiversity-related activities across a wide range of oceans. With regard to the gap in access and exploitation of marine genetic resources between developed and developing countries, it marks a compromise between groups with different interests in promoting conservation and sustainable exploitation of marine genetic resources beyond national jurisdictions, capacity building, and technology transfer, while also ensuring equality in sharing benefits from the exploitation and sustainable use of genetic resources at sea.

Moving forward, UN member states are anticipated to convene another conference in order to adopt the agreement and submit it to the UN General Assembly for consideration and approval.

Inbound and outbound tours fully booked ahead of coming public holidays

Several tour operators in Ho Chi Minh City revealed that all of their inbound and outbound tours have been fully booked ahead of National Reunification Day on April 30 and May Day, according to industry insiders.

Representatives from various travel firms said that tourists have been booking tours early this year, adding many local travelers have since the Lunar New Year holiday reserved tours for the coming public holidays, with popular destinations including Hue, Da Nang, Da Lat, and Phu Quoc.

Most notably, some destinations in the northern region have attracted tourists due to their spectacular natural landscapes and the temperate mountainous climate coupled with the pristine beauty of seasonal flowers.

Meanwhile, the outbound tourism has become bustling as local tourists are seeking to explore spring in countries such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United States, Canada, Taiwan (China), or the tulip festival in the Netherlands.

Doan Thi Thanh Tra, marketing communications director of Saigontourist Travel Service, said the number of tour bookings has reached more than 70% of the plan, and the firm is expected to serve more than 100,000 visitors, including both individual tourists and MICE tourists, during the special occasion.

Tran Phuong Linh, marketing director of Information Technology at Ben Thanh Tourist Service, said that the purchasing power among travelers for tours in the upcoming holidays has increased by between 30% and 40% compared to the same period from last year.

Most notably, customers tend to prioritise service quality and are willing to pay higher fees in order to get the best experience. Indeed, tour prices tends to increase by 10% to 20% compared to those on normal days due to the increasing prices of services, she said.

Linh attributed the sudden surge in outbound tours to Europe, Taiwan (China), and Hong Kong (China) to the upcoming long holidays.

Nguyen Ngoc Tan, general director of Saco Tourism (Sacotravel), said the domestic and international tourism markets have witnessed positive signs recently after a period of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Vietnamese people will have five days off work on the occasion of the April 30 and May Day holidays.

Phu Tho ready to host AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup qualification

The northern province of Phu Tho will play host to Group F matches of the 2024 AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup qualification stage, with all preparations now being completed ahead of the tournament.

Phu Tho, located about 80 km north of Hanoi, has upgraded playing fields, training areas, and functional rooms serving participating teams.

Viet Tri Stadium will host Group F matches from March 7 to March 11, with the site boasting good standards and is able to accommodate 18,000 seats.

Furthermore, provincial police have developed plans to ensure security, order, and traffic safety during the tournament.

A security room has also been installed at the stadium with a modern security camera system that is directly connected to the Information and Command Center of the Phu Tho Provincial Police.

Other preparation work regarding logistics, hygiene and food safety, as well as health care have also been completed.

As scheduled, the Vietnamese women’s team will face off against Indonesia on March 7, Singapore on March 9, and India on March 11, in Group F, and all matches will be held at 18:00 p.m.

There will be two rounds of qualification matches. The first round is scheduled to be played between March 4 and 12, whilst the second round of matches is to be held from June 3 to 11.

Of the 47 AFC member associations, a total of 31 teams have entered the competition. Japan, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), and the Republic of Korea automatically making it to the finals as they are the top three teams at the 2019 AFC U19 Women’s Championship.

The 31 teams have been duly divided into seven groups of four teams and one group of three teams.

For the second round, the eight teams will be drawn into two groups of four teams.

Diva’s concert to present songs by Trịnh Công Sơn in jazz & blues

Vietnamese diva Hồng Nhung will hold a live concert dedicated to late songwriter Trịnh Công Sơn, one of the greatest musicians of Vietnamese neo-music, this weekend.

Named after the diva’s nickname "Bống", the concert Bống Là Ai? (Who is Bống?) will take place at the Hà Nội Opera House on March 11 and 12.

According to the diva, who had a strong bond with the composer, she nurtured the idea for the concert for years.

During the concert, Nhung will perform 20 remixed versions of Sơn's songs, including Bống Bồng Ơi that, he especially wrote for her 30 years ago.

Nhung's repertoire will also feature some songs composed by herself.

She said that she learned a lot from her beloved composer, from music knowledge to life philosophy.

Concert director Cao Trung Hiếu said that Nhung's own songs express much emotion.

Not only performed in the concert but the melodies composed by Hồng Nhung will also be presented in a music video entitled Simple Beauty.

The event on the weekend will also feature some guest artists, including French jazz singer Clara Simonovier. He will solo the song Như Cánh Vạc Bay (Like the Flying Bittern) in French, and duet with Nhung the song Bống Bồng Ơi.

Alongside the concert Bống Là Ai?, singer Hồng Nhung will release the same title vinyl. The special production features eight time-tested songs by Sơn, including the song Như Cánh Vạc Bay sung by Simonovier.

Music band comprising famous international artists such as French musician Jean-Sébastien Simonoviez (piano and trumpet), Italian bassist Dominique Di Pizza, Vietnamese-French guitarist Nguyên Lê, and Vietnamese saxophonist Quyền Thiện Đắc, joined in the vinyl project.

All the producing steps, from recording to remixing, and mastering, were done in France. 

The vinyl will be released with a limited edition of 1,000 copies.

Furthermore, on her birthday, March 15, an exhibition showcasing photos of Nhung and Sơn will be opened at the German House (Deutsches Haus) in HCM City. Taken by famous photographer Dương Minh Long during the 1990s, all the photos are never-seen-before.

When he was still alive, Sơn once commented on Nhung’s voice: "When she sings my songs, some people like it, while some others don't. But I like it because she sings my songs with the spirit of a new and younger generation. That makes my music have a place in the present, not just popular in the past."

Both Sơn and Nhung built a special bond that inspired him to write three songs dedicated to her: Bống Bồng Ơi, Thuở Bống Là Người (When Bống Is a Human) and Bống Không Là Bống (Another Bống).

Once called the Bob Dylan of Việt Nam by renowned US singer Joan Baez, Trịnh Công Sơn penned more than 600 songs during his long and illustrious career.

Sơn, along with Văn Cao and Phạm Duy, is widely considered one of the most salient figures of modern Vietnamese music.

He died in HCM City on April 1, 2001, aged 62. Many singers perform his music, but the most successful are Khánh Ly, Lệ Thu, Hồng Nhung, and Quang Dũng.

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