March 11, 2023

China reopens group tours to Vietnam from March 15

The Chinese government has announced a list of pilot countries, including Vietnam, to which China’s group tours can be conducted starting from March 15.

This is the second phase of China’s pilot programme on resuming outbound group tours.

The Beijing Youth Daily said on March that in order to continue following the policies of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee and the State Council, from March 15, the Chinese Ministry of Culture and Tourism will allow Chinese tour operators to resume group tours for Chinese citizens to visit the following countries, namely Vietnam, Nepal, Brunei, Mongolia, Iran, Jordan, Tanzania, Namibia, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Zambia, Senegal, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Serbia, Croatia, France, Greece, Spain, Iceland, Albania, Italy, Denmark, Portugal, Slovenia, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, Brazil, Chile, Uruguay, Panama, Dominica, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, and the Bahamas.

Earlier on February 16, China announced the first batch of 20 countries where Chinese tour operators were allowed to pilot the resumption of group tours for Chinese citizens.

With these two phases combined, China has permitted pilot group tours to 60 countries for Chinese citizens./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

March 11, 2023

Vietnam values external resources for development: Foreign Minister

Vietnam attaches importance to effectively pooling and using external resources for sustainable national development, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son told former Prime Minister of the UK and President of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) Tony Blair during a reception in Hanoi on March 10.

Son said during the process, Vietnam wishes to continue receiving support and assistance from international partners in terms of capital, technology, and experience while ensuring a harmonious balance of interests among all parties.

Vietnam aims to attract more investment from potential partners, including corporations and investment funds from the Middle East, promote extensive and substantial global integration activities, and drive the construction of an international financial centre in Ho Chi Minh City in the near future, he said.

The host wished that international partners would support the country’s economic diplomacy work in a more effective and practical manner, step up digital diplomacy and provide training for diplomatic staff and local officials in charge of foreign affairs and economic diplomacy. The minister proposed that TBI assist the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam in connecting with reputable research and training institutions in the UK in the coming time.

Blair, for his part, said the UK wishes to further deepen cooperation with Vietnam, its important partner in the region. He wished to make further contributions to Vietnam-UK ties in various areas.

He said Vietnam holds great potential to promote international cooperation in attracting resources for green growth and renewable energy development, building an international financial centre, and attracting investment from the Middle East based on specific plans and cooperation projects.

The guest suggested that Vietnam focus on improving the quality of education and building an advanced university education system as a foundation for sustainable development, as the UK and many other countries did.

In the near future, the TBI will continue with exchanges and cooperation with Vietnamese ministries and agencies in areas of shared interest, he said./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

March 11, 2023

Leaders of Ministry of Foreign Affairs receive, hold talks with Chinese official

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son received Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Nong Rong in Hanoi on March 10.

Son expressed his belief that with the election of the State leadership for the new term at the ongoing first session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC), China will successfully implement socio-economic development goals and tasks set out by the session, contributing to the realisation of the Resolution of the 20th Congress of the Communist Party of China.

The minister stated Vietnam consistently attaches importance to consolidating and developing its comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership with China, considering this a top priority in the country’s overall foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, and diversification and multilateralisation of external relations.

He held that the relationship between the two Parties and countries is in front of a new beginning with great advantages and huge potential for cooperation, especially after General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong’s important visit to China in October last year.

Son suggested the two sides continue to maintain contacts and exchanges at all levels; improve the quality and efficiency of cooperation, develop trade in a more balanced and sustainable manner; expand investment cooperation in parallel with settling obstacles in several key projects; promote transport connectivity, and soon resume flights between the nations to facilitate travel of people and flows of goods, especially in the context that the two countries have opened their doors after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applauding China’s placing of Vietnam on the list of countries to which China’s group tours will be piloted from March 15, the minister recommended the two sides facilitate the exchange of tourists, and effectively and sustainably exploit their extensive potential for tourism cooperation for mutual benefits.

Agreeing with the host’s suggestions for the promotion of the nations’ collaboration in the time to come, Nong affirmed that China treasures its relations with Vietnam and is willing to work with Vietnam to increase exchanges, consolidate political trust via all-level contacts, and constantly enhance the friendship and comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

Vietnam is becoming an increasingly important cooperation partner of China, with bilateral trade turnover nearing 235 billion USD, the official said, expressing his wish that the two sides will further promote cooperation in economy, trade, investment, transport connectivity, culture, education and tourism.

He proposed Vietnam continue to create a fair and favourable business climate for Chinese businesses.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides emphasised the importance of strictly implementing agreements and common perceptions of senior leaders of the two Parties and countries, well controlling and properly settling disagreements at sea.

Son suggested the two sides respect each other’s legitimate rights and interests in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); and make efforts to maintain peace and stability at sea for the development of each country and making positive contributions to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and in the world.

The same day, Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu held talks with Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Nong Rong, during which the two sides agreed to continue fully implementing the high-level perceptions and thoroughly prepare for the 15th meeting of the Steering Committee for Vietnam-China Bilateral Cooperation and step up bilateral cooperation in different areas.

Vu suggested both sides devise plans and well hold exchange activities, all-level meetings and facilitate locality-to-locality cooperation, continue applying trade facilitation measures. He proposed China accelerate the opening of its market for Vietnamese farm produce, resume seafood imports, make it easier for Vietnam to establish more trade promotion offices in the country and increase the quotas for Vietnamese goods in transit by Chinese railway to a third country.

Vu also proposed measures to boost cooperation in investment, finance, transport infrastructure connectivity, education, culture-sports.

Hailing China for adding Vietnam into the list of countries for pilot group tours from March 15, he urged the two sides to resume flights soon, well deploy group tours and recover tourism cooperation to the pre-pandemic level.

Nong, for his part, affirmed that China treasures Vietnam’s cooperation proposals and will continue expanding imports, with particular emphasis on the licensing of more Vietnamese farm produce.

China will encourage its businesses to expand investment and work closely with Vietnam’s relevant agencies to deal with issues in several cooperation projects, he said.

The Chinese official proposed both sides accelerate the disbursement of Chinese aid funds to Vietnam in the fields of health care, education and improving people’s livelihoods, and continue coordination in multilateral mechanisms.

The two sides also discussed cooperation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs and agreed to effectively implement the agreement on enhancing cooperation between the two ministries in the new situation; maintain regular meetings between their leaders, and exchanges between departments and agencies to share experience in economic diplomacy; and support localities, businesses and people and in foreign investment attraction for development of each country.

On border and territorial issues, they agreed to continue coordination in managing and protecting the shared border in accordance with the three legal documents on the land border and related agreements; to accelerate the upgrading and opening of several pairs of border gates; build the Vietnam-China borderline of peace, stability, cooperation and development; seriously implement high-level common perceptions; well control disagreements; and maintain peace and stability at sea.

Vietnam consistently pursues the mechanism of negotiations and exchanges between the two countries regarding maritime issues, and satisfactory settlement of disagreements and disputes in the East Sea through peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Vu said.

He suggested both sides maintain regular communication to address arising issues, including providing humanitarian treatment for fishing vessels and fishermen at sea./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

March 11, 2023

Proper planning required for tourist cities development

Proper planning, brand positioning, and environmental protection are key matters in the development of Vietnam’s urban tourism, according to experts.

In Vietnam, the urbanisation rate has reached nearly 40%, with over 860 urban areas. The country has numerous urban areas, especially coastal cities or key tourist destinations like Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Phan Thiet, Vung Tau and Phu Quoc.

However, not all cities are tourist destinations, even though most have outstanding tourism potential. To improve tourism competitiveness and attractiveness, cities with strengths in tourism development must create and position a brand.

According to Nguyen Thu Hanh, President of the Science Union for Sustainable Tourism Development, brand positioning is one of the important strategies for cities with a focus on tourism.

Vung Tau city, for example, is rich in advantages such as convenient traffic locations, seaports, a large oil and gas centre, a four-season climate, and beautiful beaches.

This urban area also converges different cultures through religious monuments, churches, communal houses, and pagodas.

Hanh described Vung Tau as a “smart, modern and dynamic coastal city” with a system of industrial parks, high-tech zones, event centres, festivals, entertainment, and shopping operating on a digital platform.

Phu Quoc, located on the southwest coast, is considered a centre of eco-tourism and high-class beach resorts. With around 150km of coastline, the length of beaches suitable for tourism development is about 50km.

In recent years, experts have warned that coastal cities are at risk of sea level rise and unusual natural disasters due to climate change. In response, architects Nguyen Viet Huy and Do Dinh Trong, from the Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, have proposed measures to minimise the harmful effects of natural disasters and develop stable technical and economic-tourism infrastructure systems that can adapt to climate change.

To achieve this, it is necessary to think differently and have a more open and positive view of climate change. Building construction plans should be based on integrated planning that promotes the socio-natural potential of the region while adapting to climate change.

Additionally, rational exploitation and strengthening solutions are essential to manage and use freshwater resources and protect coastal lands, sea mouths, and estuaries.

Associate Professor Pham Trung Luong, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Marine Resources and Environment and a member of the National Planning Advisory Group, emphasised the importance of promoting sustainable marine tourism urban development.

To meet this, he recommended reviewing and adjusting the planning of existing sea tourism urban areas, especially for coastal spaces.

Separate services, shopping, and entertainment areas should be planned with little impact on the lives of residents, ensuring that tourism activities can take place 24/7, thereby promoting the development of the urban night economy, in which tourism will be the core./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

March 11, 2023

Vietnamese cuisine making a name for itself with int’l friends

The diverse and attractive cuisine of Vietnam is increasingly becoming known to international friends, with not only pho and spring rolls but also many other dishes catching the attention of food connoisseurs around the world.

In late 2022, the World Culinary Awards listed Vietnam as the “Best Culinary Destination in Asia in 2022”, surpassing other well-known names in the region such as China, Malaysia, Singapore, the Republic of Korea and Thailand. As part of the World Travel Awards, this prestigious annual award aims to honour and reward excellence in the culinary industry.

Moreover, many famous travel and culinary magazines have published articles praising Vietnamese cuisine and its culinary destinations.

Most recently in late January 2023, the US travel magazine Travel and Leisure named Vietnam as the top culinary destination in Asia in their Bucket List Places in Asia 2023, especially for street food. The magazine also suggested the best places for tourists to explore Vietnamese cuisine, including Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City. Must-try dishes include pho, banh mi (baguette), and banh cuon (steamed rice rolls). It stated that if there is any culinary culture with an irresistible, rich and flavorful taste, it is definitely Vietnamese cuisine. In addition to the beautiful natural landscapes, historical and cultural sites, Vietnam is also known for its unique, appealing and delicious cuisine.

The famous Canadian travel magazine, The Travel, also announced the top 10 countries globally with the most appealing culinary cultures, in which Vietnam placed fifth in the reader’s choice. Apart from pho, it also recommended other dishes such as nem ran (fried spring rolls), banh mi, com rang (fried rice), and com tam (broken rice) for tourists to try.

The Australian travel magazine, Traveller, has proposed that banh cuon of Vietnam is one of the top 10 delicious dishes that tourists should enjoy in 2023. It described how each layer of banh cuon is made from rice flour, thinly spread, steamed, and rolled with various fillings, commonly with wood ear mushrooms and minced meat. Banh cuon is served with fragrant dried shallots, various herbs, and a dipping sauce distinctive for each region. The magazine affirmed that the Vietnamese cuisine is truly amazing, from pho, noodles to grilled meats, salads, and crispy golden pancakes.

TasteAtlas, a famous world cuisine website, announced the 2023 culinary awards and the rankings of Asian cuisines, in which Vietnam ranked sixth. The website also listed the top five typical dishes of Vietnam, including banh mi, pho, cha gio (spring rolls), bo kho (beef stew), and bun bo Hue (Hue-styled beef noodles), as well as the top five signature culinary products, including iced coffee, Phu Quoc fish sauce, Vietnamese coffee, egg coffee, and cha lua (pork roll). Earlier in December 2022, TasteAtlas announced that the Vietnamese cuisine ranked 20th among the top 100 in the world.

Among the three Vietnamese common words that were included in the Oxford English Dictionary, two of them are related to food. They are “pho” and “banh mi.” This not only makes the Vietnamese people proud but also popularises Vietnamese culture, especially its cuisine to the world.

Many heads of state from around the world chose Vietnamese cuisine as a highlight of their visits to Vietnam. Former US President Barack Obama chose to try “bun cha” (rice noodles with Vietnamese grilled pork) during his 2016 visit. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau enjoyed Vietnamese street coffee when he visited Ho Chi Minh City in 2017. Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull tasted banh mi from a street vendor in Da Nang during the APEC Summit in 2017.

Nguyen Trung Khanh, General Director of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), believes that the Vietnamese cuisine is gradually making a name for itself on the world culinary map. This is a great potential to attract tourists, especially foreigners.

According to the VNAT, it is not by chance that Vietnamese cuisine is considered the quintessence of the nation’s culture and highly praised by international friends. This is because Vietnamese cuisine is diverse in ingredients and delicate in preparation. Each region has its own unique flavour, and trying them once will make visitors remember forever.

Vietnamese culinary culture is rich, diverse, and sophisticated, so it is not surprising that the Vietnamese dishes are highly regarded by international diners. Among them, pho is considered the “culinary ambassador”, contributing to honouring Vietnamese culture among international friends.

Recently, pho – considered the quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine – was included in the list of 100 delicious and famous dishes in the world by the famous food website TasteAtlas./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

March 11, 2023

Cash Transfer Programme for Flood Affected Families Completed

The cash transfer programme launched by the government to support vulnerable families affected by last year’s flood has come to an end.

The notification was shared in a press release issued on Mar. 10 by the Royal Government.

Cambodia has spent almost 47,000 million Riel to support 99,169 poor and vulnerable families under the cash transfer programme for 3 months.

Started on Dec. 10, 2022, the programme was designed to provide monthly financial support to the poor and vulnerable families affected by flood in 2022 across the country.

Assessment showed that it has helped poor families from falling into food insecurity, debts, and sale of family assets; and eased household expenses, especially on food, medication and children’s education.

Source: Agence Kampuchea Presse