The 2022 Do Son Tourism Festival, themed “Do Son – colour of sea”, officially opened at the Sea Square in Doi Rong International Tourist Area in Do Son district, Hai Phong city, on April 30.

The event aimed to kick start the summer tourism season as well as mark the 47th anniversary of the southern liberation and national reunification (May 30), the 136th anniversary of May Day (May 1), the 67th anniversary of the Hai Phong Liberation (May 13) and the 2022 Hai Phong Hoa Phuong Do (flamboyant red) Festival.

The festival is a response to the Government’s policy of full tourism reopening and flexible adaptation to the new normal.

The 2022 Do Son Tourism Festival will also feature five other major activities including a dragon boat race, the opening of the pedestrian street, the showcase and parade of vintage cars and motorcycles, an EDM festival and an open tourist golf tournament.

In addition to interesting natural landscapes, Do Son is famous for unique cultural features with great architecture, arts and historical values such as the Dau island festival, traditional buffalo fighting festival, Tuong Long Pagoda and Hang Pagoda – the first place where Buddhism was introduced to Vietnam by sea.

* Also yesterday, Ha Tinh provincial People’s Committee held a ceremony at Thien Cam Tourist Area in Cam Xuyen district to officially launch the 2022 Ha Tinh Sea Tourism Festival.

The event was among a series of activities to promote the tourism potential and advantage and unique tourism products of Ha Tinh province to both domestic and international visitors and investors.

The art programme introduced audiences to stories highlighting the destinations as well as cultural and tourism beauties of Ha Tinh province.

Cascading soil and rock results in landslide, traffic jams in Dai Ninh Pass

Cascading soil and rock due to prolonged heavy rain closed the section of Dai Ninh pass in the South-Central Province of Binh Thuan, causing traffic jams for many hours.

According to initial information, at dawn on May 1, at Km 41+100 on the National Highway 28B through Dai Ninh pass in Phan Son Commune in Bac Binh District, there was a serious landslide grinding traffic to a halt for several hours.

At the landslide location, a large amount of soil and rock fell from the mountain, blocking the road surface, and making it impossible for vehicles to move.

Fortunately, no vehicles passed by the pass at the time so no casualties were reported.

Street art performance activities in celebration of National Reunification Day

Thousands of tourists and Ho Chi Minh City residents last night gathered in the city center to enjoy a firework show in the celebration of the 47th anniversary of Vietnam's National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975-2022), and join recreational and cultural activities.

After a one-year suspension due to the Covid-19 pandemic wave outbreak, the firework shows had been re-organized in Ho Chi Minh City which was displayed at two places of the Saigon River Tunnel (Thu Thiem, Thu Duc City) and Dam Sen Cultural Park in District 11.

The city center, HCMC Book Street and a space in front of HCMC Post recorded numerous people and visitors with art and musical performances.

From Lam Son park area in front of Ho Chi Minh City Opera House to Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, Bach Dang Wharf Park, young people displayed street art performances such as hip-hop dancing, patin and disguised as living statue street performers.

Newly-inaugurated Thu Thiem 2 Bridge was one of the top destinations for young people to take check-in photos. Besides, a musical performance was also held at the terminal of Bach Dang- Saigon Waterbus last night.

Tourism promotion clip launched to welcome SEA Games 31

A tourism promotion video clip, themed “Let’s shine and live fully”, was officially launched on the YouTube channel of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) on April 30.

The clip, lasting 1 minute and 11 seconds, is part of the VNAT’s media programme “Vietnam: Di de Yeu!” (Vietnam: Travel to Love) that introduces a vibrant, attractive, and welcoming Vietnam to tourists from all over the world in response to the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).

It shows vivid images of the most popular destinations across Vietnam like Phu Quoc island in Kien Giang province, the central coastal city of Nha Trang in Khanh Hoa, the World Natural Heritage Site Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh, and the world’s largest cave Son Doong in Quang Binh.

The making of the clip gathered the participation of famous content creators such as Oxalis Adventure, Sao Media, Amazing Things in Vietnam, Indochina Sails, and Hai Au Aviation.

The VNAT is welcoming content creators to join its programme by sending their video clips to its official Youtube channel.

Groups of Friends working to promote UNCLOS: Vietnamese representative

The Group of Friends on the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) is making efforts to fulfill its targets, especially in raising public awareness of the UNCLOS and its application in the reality, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, has said.

Speaking on behalf of 12 founding members of the group at a meeting marking the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the UNCLOS organised by the UN General Assembly on April 29, Giang emphasised the significance of the convention as a legal framework that covers all activities at seas and oceans.

He called on the international community to stay firm in maintaining legal regulations as established in the convention, saying all countries should fulfill their legal obligations in accordance with the convention.

Acts by countries, including maritime claims and activities and cooperation, both regionally and internationally, must abide by the UNCLOS, Giang stressed.

The ambassador urged countries to ensure the freedom of navigation, safety and security for legal maritime activities, and preserve and use oceans and maritime resources sustainably.

More importantly, it is necessary to address disputes through peaceful measures, fully respect legal mechanisms and processes stipulated in the UNCLOS, and support professional organisations established under the convention, he said.

Delegates at the meeting highlighted great contributions of the UNCLOS and agencies within its convention, to maintaining ocean order, and the preservation and sustainable use of maritime resources.

The group, an initiative by Vietnam and Germany, was launched at a New York event on June 30, 2021. It is an open and informal organisation gathering countries sharing same concerns over a certain issue. There are about 90 UN Groups of Friends in various areas at the UN.

Members of the Group of Friends on the UNCLOS come from all over the world, comprising five permanent UN Security Council member states and many nations in Asia Pacific, such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Brunei, Thailand, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Bangladesh, Australia, and New Zealand.

Da Nang moves to exploit tourism potential of Son Tra Peninsula

Authorities in the central city of Da Nang have been working hard to fully tap the tourism potential of the Son Tra Peninsula - which has a forest ecosystem associated with the sea.

The Son Tra Peninsula is located in Son Tra district, around 10km northeast of the downtown area. Covering a total area of 4,390 ha, the peninsula boasts a primeval forest with a cool, fresh climate all year round.

According to the management board of Son Tra Peninsula, the unit has developed various programmes to serve the sightseeing and entertainment needs of visitors, such as diving tours to watch corals and go fishing at sea with local fishermen, wild animal observing tours, and sunset watching tours.

An event themed “Clean up Son Tra – For a Green Son Tra” has been organised with the involvement of volunteers, contributing to raising awareness and understanding about the ecosystem and popularising the message of protecting Son Tra.

The board has advised the municipal Department of Tourism to approve a project on developing tourism products on the peninsula, contributing to promoting post-COVID-19 tourism-based economic development in the locality.

Ha Long Carnival gives boost to tourism activities in Quang Ninh

Ha Long Carnival, a highlight of the Ha Long – Quang Ninh Tourism Week 2022, took place on April 29, marking the return and recovery of tourism in the northern coastal province and its Ha Long city after two years impacted by COVID-19.

The carnival aimed at promoting Ha Long, home to the world heritage site Ha Long Bay, as a safe and friendly destination.  

With the participation of about 2,000 artists, it was held at the Dai Duong (Ocean) Park in Bai Chay ward and rounded off with a 15-minute low-range firework display.     

Also in Quang Ninh on the day, an ao dai (Vietnamese traditional long dress) festival treated visitors to 20 collections inspired by the province’s landscape, nature, culture, and people.

With its venue on the shore of Bai Tu Long Bay within the Green Dragon City urban area, the festival gathered the participation of over 30 designers and hundreds of artists, models, actors and actresses.

In 2022, Quang Ninh aims to host over 10 million tourists, including 1.5 million foreigners. As a result, its tourism revenue is expected at some 21 trillion VND (917.43 million USD).

SEA Games 31: free tickets to men’s football matches in Nam Dinh

Matches of the men’s football at the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) will be opened for free at the Thien Truong Stadium in the northern province of Nam Dinh.

The provincial People's Committee requested the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism to coordinate with departments and agencies to develop a plan to ensure security and safety and measures to prevent and control COVID-19.

Spectators will have their temperature checked when they arrive at the stadium, sanitize their hands, and wear masks during the match.

Thien Truong Stadium has a capacity of more than 20,000 people.

Recently, Nam Dinh province invested about 25 billion VND (1.08 million USD) in repairing and upgrading the stadium to serve the Games.

The stadium is the venue for matches of Group B, comprising Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia and Laos.

In the first group matches on May 7, Singapore will face Laos, and Thailand will meet Malaysia.

Tourism Gift Festival 2022 opens in Hanoi

The Tourism Gift Festival 2022 is taking place in the pedestrian zone surrounding Hoan Kiem Lake this weekend, featuring products from craft villages in the capital city of Hanoi.

The event aims to gradually recover the capital's tourism activities post-pandemic, in conjunction with the 31st SEA Games and the Visit Vietnam Year – Quang Nam 2022.

According to the municipal Tourism Department, the event features different spaces for visitors to discover craft village culture, art, travel photos and local products.

Attendees will be treated to performances of graffiti art, flashmobs, acoustic music and skateboarding, as well as a cycle rickshaw ride around the lake.

Other highlights of the fair include talk shows involving ca tru (ceremonial singing) performers and artisans of water puppets and paper fans; a coffee tasting event; hands-on experience activities of making children's toys; and a photo exhibition on Hanoi.

Also on the occasion, organisers will launch a gift product designing contest, a tourism photo contest with the theme 'Hanoi Through Tourists’ Perspective', and other social activities like exchanging books for trees, old batteries for trees and books for fruits, while travel companies and airlines are ready to provide a briefing on their special tours and attractive discount programmes.

Top 10 hospitable tourist destinations in Vietnam voted by travelers

Vietnam's tourism sector officially entered the recovery stage after a long hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Acknowledging an increase in demand of search for destinations, US-based online booking travel agency Booking.com announced top 10 most hospitable tourist destinations in Vietnam in 2022.

Vietnam's tourism sector officially entered the recovery stage after a long hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Acknowledging an increase in demand of search for destinations, US-based online booking travel agency Booking.com announced top 10 most hospitable tourist destinations in Vietnam in 2022.

The list was based on more than 232 million verified reviews made on the travel and accommodation booking website.

Vietnam sees increasing workforce quality

The number of Vietnamese labourers aged from 15 reached some 51.2 million in the first quarter of this year, up 200,000 as compared with the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

Of the figure, 50 million people have got jobs, up 132,200 year-on-year, with those working in the service sector making the largest share (38.7 percent), followed by industry and construction (33.5 percent), and agro-forestry-fishery (27.8 percent).

The office said the programme on socio-economic recovery and development in line with Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP with specific measures has warmed up the labour market in the first three months.

Meanwhile, around 1.3 million people were unemployed, down 135,200 from the previous quarter.

Living standards of labourers have been improved and their average income has been restored significantly.

The Business Registration under the Ministry of Planning and Investment said despite severe impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, business operations have bounced back since December 2021 thanks to the Government’s flexible measures in response to the pandemic.

ILO Vietnam Labour Economist Valentina Barcucci said in 2000, 65.3 percent of the employed labour force was in agriculture. Twenty years later, those two-thirds fell to a little more than one third (37.2 percent). That additional third is roughly split between services and industry.

While in 2000, agriculture was by far the biggest employer in the country, today services and agriculture are virtually equal (37.3 and 37.2 percent respectively), followed closely by the industry sector (25.5 percent of employment).
 
The low value-added manufacturing that accounts for most of the current FDI has been instrumental to fuel economic growth. To secure further economic development, a higher value-added industry, more innovation and a higher-skilled labour force are necessary.

The country will need a new growth model to move out of the risk of a lower middle-income trap and achieve modernisation, industrialisation, as well as sustained growth. This calls for a modernized labour market too, she said.

Labour productivity of the whole economy at the current price is estimated at 171.3 million VND (7,398 USD) per worker, 538 USD higher than that of 2020. The labour productivity in 2021 increased by 4.71 percent due to improved qualifications of workers with the proportion of trained workers with degrees and certificates in 2021 reaching 26.1 percent, higher than the 25.3 percent of 2020.

The productivity, however, is still much lower than that in other countries in the region like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia, said Bui Quang Tuan, Director of the Vietnam Institute of Economics.

According to the World Bank (WB), between 2010 and 2020, the Human Capital Index (HCI) value for Vietnam increased from 0.66 to 0.69, higher than the average of the countries that have the same income with Vietnam.

Vietnam is one of the countries in East Asia-Pacific that have the highest HCI, reflecting its great achievements in education and health care over the past years, the bank said.

Transnational drug trafficking ring smashed

Police forces operating in the northern province of Dien Bien recently announced the arrest of seven men for allegedly trafficking 72 heroin cakes and 552,000 ecstasy pills.

The four suspects include Vang A Phu, 25, Chang A Minh, 33, Ly A De, 32, and Trang A Minh, 23, all of whom were arrested by police in Dien Bien province in early April.

The group admitted to the police that the drugs had been brought over the border from Laos into Vietnam.

A few days later, relevant agencies were then able to catch Phang A Pho, 34, Phang A Do, 33, and Chang A Dua, 53, while making transactions in the border area.

The case is currently under further investigation.

Da Nang opens An Thuong tourist street

The Ngu Hanh Son District People's Committee in Da Nang officially opened An Thuong tourist street on April 28, aiming to link night-time activities at My An beach to the street carnival programmes.

This represents one of the projects which is trying to stimulate greater tourism demand and organise night-time tourism activities following the central city adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic.  It is also part of diverse events to mark the 2022 National Tourism Year. 

An Thuong tourist street will comprise of several roads, including Ngo Thi Si, Vo Nguyen Giap, Hoang Ke Viem, Tran Bach Dang, and An Thuong 2.

A range of activities will also take place on the tourist street and along Vo Nguyen Giap street, including dining, karaoke services, a street carnival and outdoor music programmes, all of which are expected to provide visitors with an exciting experience throughout the day.

Ta Tu Binh, vice chairman of the People's Committee of Ngu Hanh Son district, said An Thuong, My An, and Ngu Hanh Son areas are blessed with beautiful landscapes of My An beach.

Binh went on to reveal that the central city has directed the Management Board of Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang beaches to organise night-time activities at My An beach.

The linkages between An Thuong street tourist and the nightlife activities taking place at My An beach are anticipated to turn Da Nang into one of the most friendly and attractive destinations for both domestic and foreign tourists in the future, Binh stressed.

Trịnh Công Sơn pedestrian zone decorated to celebrate holiday

Journalist-turned-artist Nguyễn Thu Thủy and her colleagues at the New Hanoi Company have completed an artwork dedicated to famed composer Trịnh Công Sơn at Hà Nội’s Trịnh Công Sơn pedestrian zone.

Inspired by his famous song Nhớ Mùa Thu Hà Nội (Remembering Autumn in Hà Nội), the artwork was completed in five days.

It’s a 50m long street connecting two ponds at the pedestrian zone.

Thủy created a painting on the street with four autumn colours: yellow, white, orange and brown-purple.

She used industrial paint to make the art piece lively and change the normal asphalt's appearance.

“We want to bring the romantic spirit of Trịnh Công Sơn’s music to cover this artistic road. The four-colour tones I use are mentioned in his song Remembering Autumn in Hà Nội," said Thủy.

The paint used on the street has only four basic colours: black, white, yellow and red. The artists used suitable tones for the artwork, a guitar with the composer’s signature and 3D curves symbolising melodies.

Trịnh Công Sơn pedestrian zone is 900m long, inaugurated in 2018, located near Hồ Tây Water Park and lotus ponds. Many cultural activities have been organised here at weekends. There is a 2,000sq.m venue with an outdoor stage, which is for traditional performing arts and Trịnh Công Sơn’s music.

This year, the district authorities had this area decorated to celebrate the South Việt Nam Liberation Day (30 April) and the May Day holiday. Thủy’s project is a part of the activity.

Many new and creative features have brought a new look to the pedestrian street this April, promising to attract many people and tourists.

New books released on HCM City history, developments

A book collection on HCM City, dealing with its history and developments between 1945-2015, has been published by the National Political Publishing House to mark the 47th National Reunification Day (April 30.) 

The 1,000-page, three-books series is titled Lịch Sử Chính Quyền Thành Phố Hồ Chí Minh Giai Đoạn 1945-2015 (The History of HCM City Government in the 1945-2015 Period). 

The first book deals with the happenings over three decades starting 1945; the second with the time Sài Gòn was renamed after President Hồ Chí Minh; and the third on 70 years of the city, its history, economy, culture and lifestyle.

The roles of the southern people and armed forces in the wars against the French and the Americans are dealt with in some detail; as are that of local authorities and residents’ contributions to city building. 

The books have many black-and-white and colour photographs selected from different sources and different periods. 

“The editorial staff spent six years on these three books,” said HCM City People’s Committee Chairman Phan Văn Mãi.

“The book collection will be a useful resource for authorities and the people, as also historians and culture researchers,” he added. 

“Reading these books will help the youth discover and learn facts about our city’s heroic history,” said Nguyễn Thuỳ Dương, first-year student at the HCM City University of Law.

Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn pays official visit to Laos

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn and his Lao counterpart expressed their delight at important achievements in the two countries’ cooperation in all fields during the 9th Việt Nam-Laos Foreign Minister's Consultation on Friday.

Minister Sơn paid a three-day official visit to Laos from Wednesday to Friday under the invitation of Lao Foreign Minister Saleumsay Kommasith. The visit also implemented the cooperation agreement between the two sides.

Here Sơn co-chaired the 9th Việt Nam-Laos Foreign Minister's Consultation.

Political relations between the two countries continue to be close. The two countries have exchanged many high-level visits and effectively maintained cooperation mechanisms. Defence and security cooperation continue to be strengthened.

Economic cooperation maintained positive developments. In the first three months this year, bilateral trade turnover reached more than US$400 million, an increase of nearly 20 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Việt Nam has one new project and two adjusted projects with increased capital in Laos with a total registered capital of over $64 million.

The two sides agreed to continue working together to serve high-level visits, together with ministries and localities of the two countries to continue effectively implementing the high-level agreements and the results of the 44th meeting of the Việt Nam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee, celebrating the "Year of Solidarity and Friendship between Việt Nam and Laos" this year.

Ha Long tourist boat safety regulations tightened

Authorities in Quang Ninh Province have refused to renew the licenses of 170 tourist boats to operate on Ha Long Bay during the coming holiday due to safety concerns.

According to the Ha Long Tourist Boat Association, there are 500 tourist boats operating in the world-famous bay and over 170 of them have had their licenses revoked due expired registrations. Meanwhile over 20 boats are being repaired. The remaining boats can only serve some 20,000 passengers daily.

Director of Quang Ninh Tourism Department, Pham Ngoc Thuy, also noted that they really wanted to receive more visitors but they have to ensure the quality of services.

"Services that do not meet quality standards must be halted as we've committed to providing the best services to visitors to Quang Ninh," the official said.

In an effort to revive tourism, Quang Ninh debuted its nightlife cruise service at Ha Long International Passenger Port from April 28.

Thirty tourist boats will serve tours from 6 pm to 10 pm, allowing visitors to enjoy dinner and admire the bay at night.

Quang Ninh wants to receive 10 million tourists this year, including 1.5 million foreigners.

Kien Giang holds groundbreaking ceremony of President Ho Chi Minh’s statue

On the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30), Kien Giang Province held a solemn ceremony to inaugurate the temple of heroic martyrs and start construction of President Ho Chi Minh’s statue and the central square in Phu Quoc City this morning.

The President Ho Chi Minh’s statue and the central square will be built in the area of 7.45- hectares of the area planned for construction of an urban, trade and service center, international passenger seaport, new administrative area of Phu Quoc City . This area is also an entertainment place for people on Phu Quoc Island and a destination to attract domestic and foreign tourists.
 
The work will comprise of a 18-meter-tall body statue of President Ho Chi Minh made of bronze. A memorial space and ancillary works will be built in the area of 1,225 square meters with total investment of around VND353 billion (US$15.3 million) from the central and local budgets.

Attending in the ceremony were Permanent member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat Vo Van Thuong, former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam and former leaders and leaders of the Party, State and ministries.

On the same day, an inauguration ceremony of the heroic martyrs’ temple of Phu Quoc City also took place. The 1,299- square meter project was invested VND40 billion (US$1.7 million) from donation of DONACOOP Infrastructure Investment Joint Stock Company and many other sponsors.

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