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Showing posts from April, 2024

Time Out: Vietnam Ranks Among World’s Safest Destinations for Solo Female Travelers

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Time Out magazine has recently listed Vietnam as one of the world’s nine safest destinations for solo female travelers , based on an article published by the editor on March 19th, 2024. “When considering the safest destinations for women backpacking in Southeast Asia, Thailand and Vietnam are still vying for the top spot – but Vietnam is a great place to start,” the magazine wrote. Vietnam’s political stability and low crime rates make it an attractive destination for visitors. Visitors can enjoy a tour that spans from the capital city of Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh City in the south, taking in the best of Vietnam’s natural beauty, including mountains, beaches, and islands. The Time Out editors strongly recommend that tourists take the time to visit the historic cities of Hoi An and Hue, which are known for their distinctive traditional cuisine. “I realized that I had nothing to fear about traveling in Vietnam as a solo traveler or as an American. My experience there was n...

Historical Destinations to Visit on Reunification Day in Ho Chi Minh City

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Ho Chi Minh City is a treasure trove of Vietnam’s rich historical heritage, particularly significant sites related to the Vietnam War. Nha Rong Harbor Nha Rong Harbor (or Ho Chi Minh Museum – Ho Chi Minh City branch) is the largest harbor in Saigon and a renowned attraction, captivating both domestic and international visitors with its unique architecture that blends French elegance and Vietnamese cultural influences. Nha Rong Harbor holds historical significance as the point of departure for President Ho Chi Minh, the revered leader of Vietnam, as he embarked on a journey to seek national liberation in 1911. This historic destination is a must-see for anyone exploring Ho Chi Minh City. Nha Rong Harbor (or Ho Chi Minh Museum – Ho Chi Minh City branch) is renowned as the largest harbor in Saigon. Photo: Saigon Local Tour Nha Rong (or Ho Chi Minh Museum) is strategically situated at the junction of the Saigon River and the end of Nguyen Tat Thanh Street. “Nha Rong” tran...

Pearl of Vietnam: Trang An Landscape Complex

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Shortly after Trang An Landscape Complex was recognized as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage Site by UNESCO, the northern province of Ninh Binh drew up a master plan and policies to preserve and promote the values of the complex in line with green and sustainable development. Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ninh Binh Province, where the complex is located, Pham Quang Ngoc, said at a ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of UNESCO’s recognition of the [2014-2024]. Chairman of the Ninh Binh People’s Committee Pham Quang Ngoc delivers a speech at the ceremony. Photos: Ninh Binh Newspaper “After 10 years, many organizations, experts, and academics have praised the model of combining sustainable economic and tourism development with nature conservation, ensuring the harmonious interests of local people, the state, and businesses,” said Ngoc. Simona-Mirela Muculescu, President of the 42nd General Conference of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and C...

Introduction of Community Tourism Area in Hanoi Herb Kingdom

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The Hanoi Tourism Department and Ba Vi District authorities inaugurated the community-based tourism area named Ban Mien (Mien Village). Inauguration of the community-based tourist village on April 26. Photo: Hoai Nam/The Hanoi Times The  community-based tourist village  is situated in Hop Son Hamlet, Ba Vi Commune, Ba Vi District. Touring the village will offer travelers a chance to experience tranquility, peace, and positivity. One of the main activities is a bike ride around the village to connect with nature and its vibrancy. Travelers will also visit herb gardens cultivated by local Dao Quan Chet (Dao ethnic people who wear tight pants) and discover the therapeutic benefits of herbs on both physical and mental health. They will also learn the process of cultivating herbal plants and producing medicines in the traditional way that has existed for centuries. Herbal medicines are used in experiential services for tourists such as skincare, health, and...

Hanoi Ranks Among the World’s 100 Smartest Cities in 2024

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The report, released by the IMD World Competitiveness Center’s Smart City Observatory and the World Smart Sustainable Cities Organization (WeGO), analyzes data and resident surveys from 142 cities globally. In Asia alone, Hanoi ranks 20th out of 28 cities. The capital city is highly rated in terms of safety in public places, employment services, and easy access to information from competent agencies. Earlier, Hanoi ranked 96th and is the only representative in Vietnam mentioned in the World’s Best Cities ranking. The city moved up 16 places to 144th in a global ranking of the world’s most livable cities. A corner of Hanoi. Photo: Tuan Anh The digitalization process is expected to help Hanoi realize its vision to become a smart and modern city by 2025, creating the foundation for rapid and sustainable economic development. The view was shared in a resolution by the Hanoi Party Committee on promoting Hanoi’s smart city by 2025, with a vision to 2030. Accordingly, the c...

Vietnam News Today (Apr. 26): Vietnam, China Conduct Joint Patrol Along Demarcation Line in Gulf of Tonkin

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Vietnam News Today (Apr. 26) notable headlines Vietnam, China conducts joint patrol along demarcation line in Gulf of Tonkin Vietnam attends international security meeting in Russia Vietnam-Singapore trade on the rise since start of 2024 Vietnam affirms unwavering stance on Chinese fishing ban in East Sea Northern VN transitions into scorching heat after prolonged rainy days Images of Vietnamese localities promoted in US Argentinian scholar praises Vietnam’s April 30, 1975 victory Vietnamese, Algerian Parties forge cooperation Gift festival expected to promote Hanoi tourism Commander of the Vietnam Coast Guard Region 1 Col. Tran Van Tho assigns tasks to Vietnamese officers joining the joint patrol. (Photo: qdnd.vn) Vietnam, China conducts joint patrol along demarcation line in Gulf of Tonkin Two vessels of the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) on April 25 departed from the northern port city of Hai Phong for a joint patrol mission with the China Coast Guard (CCG...

IMF Expert: Vietnam Retains Allure for Foreign Investors

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Vietnam is an attractive investment destination for foreign investors due to its high and stable economic growth, large domestic market and young, well-educated human resources, said Paulo Medas, head of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) team to Vietnam at the recent Annual Meetings of the IMF and the World Bank Group (WB) held in the US. According to Medas, despite rising geopolitical instability globally, Vietnam’s economy experienced a growth rate of 5.66% in the first quarter of this year. Exports continue to see an upward trend, facilitating overall growth until the end of this year. He projected that Vietnam’s economic growth is predicted to expand by nearly 6% this year due to the recovery of domestic demand and supportive fiscal policies from the government. However, he noted that Vietnam needs to maintain a flexible fiscal policy to manage risks and ensure sustained growth. A production line at the Republic of Korea’s Bluecom Vina Co., Ltd, in the Trang Due Ind...

Kenny G’s MV “Going Home” Boosts Vietnam’s Tourism Industry

Kenny G takes viewers on a sweeping tour of Hanoi’s celebrated landmarks, including Long Bien Bridge, Hoan Kiem Lake, Turtle Tower, The Huc Bridge, Thang Long Imperial Citadel, and Temple of Literature, via beautiful, lyrical melodies. According to Le Quoc Minh, a member of the Party Central Committee and editor-in-chief of Nhan Dan, the idea for the MV originated with Kenny G’s “Good Morning Vietnam” concert, which was produced by Nhan Dan Newspaper and IB Group in November 2023, with all proceeds going to charitable organizations. “The saxophone virtuoso greatly valued the show’s significance and eagerly participated in the MV promoting Hanoi tourism – a medium that we believe will have a greater impact than conventional tourism promotional clips,” Minh stated at a press conference in Hanoi on April 19. He went on to reveal that the saxophonist had even donated a trumpet to the charity fund. The organizers of the concert presented the “Going Home” MV to the Hanoi administration...

Hung Kings’ Death Anniversary: Convergence of Vietnamese Cultural Values

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The cultural elements of Vietnam are deeply rooted in the worship of the Hung Kings, the tradition of preparing square sticky rice cakes and pounding round sticky rice cakes as offerings to ancestors, and the performance of Xoan singing. The Hung Kings’ Death Anniversary is held on the 10th day of the third lunar month, commemorating 18 generations of the Hung Kings, Vietnam’s national founders. This significant event, held nationwide, celebrates the legacy of the Hung Kings and their impact on the spiritual realm of the Vietnamese people, both at home and abroad. Nguyen Tien Khoi, Chairman of the Phu Tho Historical Science Association, emphasized the gratitude of the Vietnamese people towards the Hung Kings. This reverence has been passed down through generations, leading to the construction of temples on Nghia Linh Mountain for descendants to pay homage. Khoi stressed the importance of honoring one’s roots, citing the proverbs “When drinking water – remember the source” and “When...

Vietnam News Today (Apr. 24): Vietnamese And Chinese Localities Seek Stronger Cooperation

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Vietnam News Today (Apr. 24) notable headlines Vietnam attends 26th UN-INTOSAI symposium Vietnamese and Chinese localities seek stronger cooperation Vietnam’s economy shows gradual recovery: WB’s report Vietnamese and Lao PMs co-chair roundtable with ASEAN businesses and partners Dien Bien Phu veterans and war youth volunteers honored on 70th anniversary Government leader rejoices over sound strategic partnership with Indonesia ASEAN Future Forum 2024 wraps up in Hanoi Vietnam, RoK hold 11th defense policy dialogue PM hosts Chairman of Russian Federal Bar Association Vietnam attends 26th UN-INTOSAI symposium A delegation of the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) led by Deputy Auditor General Nguyen Tuan Anh attended the 26th symposium co-organized by the United Nations (UN) and the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) in Vienna, Austria, as part of their working trip from April 15-21. The biennial event aimed to enhance the capacity of Sup...

**Vietnam Tourism Revival Boosted with Over 4.6 Million Foreign Tourists in Q1**

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Vietnam logged over 4.6 million foreign tourist arrivals in the first quarter of this year, up 72% year-on-year, and 3.2% compared to the figure recorded in the same period of 2019 before the Covid-19 outbreak, the General Statistics Office (GSO) announced on March 29, VNA reported. The GSO attributed the result to favorable visa policies, tourism stimulus programmes, and efforts made by local authorities and the sector. Among the foreign arrivals, 83.6% have travelled to Vietnam by air, 13.5% by road and 2.9% by sea. Revenue from accommodation and food services in the first quarter is estimated at VND 174.8 trillion (USD 6.98 billion), and from travel and tourism activities at VND 14.1 trillion (over USD 575 million), up 46.3% year-on-year. In the period, 1.2 million Vietnamese people travelled abroad, a year-on-year rise of 11.5%. In March alone, nearly 1.6 million international tourists have visited Vietnam, leading to a month-on-month increase of 4.4%. Photo: Thanh...

Dien Bien Phu Battlefield Relic Site: A Captivating Destination for History Buffs

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Tourists pay a visit to A1 Hill, a relic site from the Dien Bien Phu victory. Dien Bien province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) Executive Board in Dien Bien plant 1,000 hoa ban (Bauhinia Flower) trees around historical relic sites in Dien Bien Phu City. The command tunnel used by French general De Castries attracts plenty of visitors. Crowds flock to a relic site in Dien Bien province. An exhibit area at the Dien Bien Phu Historical Victory Museum in Dien Bien province is packed full of guests. Since early April the museum has welcomed more than 86,000 arrivals. It will open to visitors every Friday and Saturday from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in April and May. War veterans visit the Dien Bien Phu Martyrs’ Cemetery as they pay tribute to the country’s fallen soldiers. So far Dien Bien has received a total of 845,000 arrivals, increasing by 1.86 times co...

HCM City Travel Firms Gear Up For Summer Peak

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Vietnam News Today (Apr. 23) notable headlines US chip giant NVIDIA keen to explore investment opportunities in Vietnam Algerian Ambassador receives friendship insignia Vietnam, Malaysia foster education cooperation HCM City travel firms gear up for summer peak Leading Latin America buyers to seek Vietnamese suppliers Phu Quoc dubbed “Maldives of Vietnam” Exhibition spotlights significance of Dien Bien Phu Victory Forum to discuss new initiatives on ASEAN future vision: Deputy FM Acting President attends National Humanitarian Month launching ceremony Photo: VOV US chip giant NVIDIA keen to explore investment opportunities in Vietnam A delegation of NVIDIA Corporation of the United States led by Keith Strier, vice president of NVIDIA, is scheduled to arrive in Vietnam from April 22 to 26 to explore investment opportunities in the country, according to Dau Tu (Investment) newspaper. The working trip will take them to Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City, ...

The Most Beautiful Destinations in Vietnam Recommended by International Media

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In an article published in The Sydney Morning Herald, author Katherine Scott commented Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is Vietnam’s leading economic, cultural, and entertainment center with cool weather all year round, and the most attractive cuisine in Southeast Asia. A 4-6 day trip will be the ideal time for visitors to have the opportunity to explore this city. Must-visit destinations in Ho Chi Minh City are the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee headquarters, the Opera House, the City Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the city’s famous Book Street. The City Hall during the French colonial period is now the headquarters of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee. Photo: ISTOCK Tourists can also visit The Cafe Apartments, a modern box-shaped building that has been retained since the 1960s and is located on Nguyen Hue walking street. Currently, this is an area of uniquely decorated cafes, bars, and shops worth experiencing further in Ho Chi Minh City. For histor...

Hoi An Among the World’s Top Destinations for Solo Travelers

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According to the website, Hoi An has a crime rate of 6.25, making it significantly lower compared to Lima Peru, which has the highest crime rate of 84.51. Smoky Mountains noted that for those traveling solo, feeling safe can make or break a tourist’s experience. “You shouldn’t have to worry about being pickpocketed, assaulted, kidnapped, or harmed during your trip. Luckily, there are an array of locations that have safety measures and precautions so that you can feel and be safe during your visit. Hoi An is one of those destinations,” it stressed. Nestled along the central coast of Vietnam, Hoi An emerges as a captivating destination that effortlessly bridges the gap between the past and the present. Photo: CTV/ Vietnam+ In addition, the ancient city is also considered to be one of the cheapest cities in Asia with an average cost for a tourist of less than US $800 per month. Nestled along the central coast of Vietnam, Hoi An emerges as a captivating destination that e...