The EU is set to begin use of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) this October.

Under the new rules, the bloc will impose a carbon tax on all goods exported to the market based on the intensity of greenhouse gas emissions in the production process.

The mechanism will therefore start with commodities with higher carbon footprints, including steel, cement, fertiliser, aluminum, and electricity, which together accounts for 94% of the continent's carbon emissions.

The Trade Office of Vietnam in the Netherlands noted that Vietnamese steel, aluminum, cement, and fertiliser products exported to the EU may be subject to changes.

Accordingly, importers will have to report emissions contained in imported goods. In the event that the emissions exceed EU standards, they will then have to buy "emissions certificates" at current carbon prices set by the EU.

Last year witnessed Vietnamese steel exports to the EU reach 1.3 million tonnes while aluminum exports stood at US$307 million. Fertiliser and cement exports to the EU account for 1% of total exports of these two commodities.

Tourists saved from Lang Co beach drowning

Three tourists from Hanoi were rescued from being drowned while swimming at Lang Co Beach in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue.

According to the local police, a man from Hanoi and his friends were swept away by strong waves while swimming at Lang Co Beach on May 1.  

After hearing the calls for help, Lieutenant Colonel Dinh Viet Trung and some staff from the nearby Lang Co Guesthouse rushed into the sea to attempt a rescue despite strong waves. They then brought the man safely ashore.

Two other people from a group of visitors on April 30 were swept away in Lang Co and Lieutenant Colonel Dinh Viet Trung and four staff from Lang Co Guesthouse also saved them.

Beaches in Thua Thien-Hue Province, particularly Lang Co, are particularly crowded with tourists at this time.

Tourist numbers to Danang surge on national holidays

The central city of Danang has witnessed a sharp rise in tourists on the Reunification Day (April 30) and International Labour Day (May 1) holidays.

According to Nguyen Van Hien, head of Ngu Hanh Son tourist site management board, between April 29 and May 1, around 17,100 tourists came to Danang, including 11,200 foreigners.  

Le Thi Bich Huong, Communications Manager of the Nui Than Tai Hot Spring Park tourist site, said on April 5, the site welcomed 3,000 visitors. The figure increased to up to 7,000 on April 30 and May 1, equal to pre-pandemic 2019.

Danang International Airport served roughly 102 international flights each day on April 29 and May 2.

Danang held the Beach Tourism Season at Bien Dong Park; in Son Tra Peninsula and at My An, My Khe, T18 and Nguyen Tat Thanh beaches during the holiday period.

Other events included Quang Da folklore festival at Than Tai Mountain hot spring tourist area in Hoa Vang District and the water-splashing Happy Songkran festival at Ba Na Hill.

Vietnam and Australia mark 50 years of diplomacy in Melbourne

A ceremony was held in Melbourne city on April 28 to celebrate 50 years of bilateral diplomacy between Vietnam and Australia and examine future development trends for bilateral relations.

Addressing the ceremony, the Assistant Minister for Manufacturing and Assistant Minister for Trade of Australia, Tim Ayres, noted that the two countries have a lot in common, including their shared commitment to building a stable, peaceful, resilient and prosperous world, especially in Southeast Asia, which is considered a top priority of the Australian Government.

The joint implementation of concrete and tangible actions will help the two countries seize cooperation opportunities in the fields of economy, trade, and education, he stressed, adding 350,000 Vietnamese Australians have made a practical contribution to a multicultural and modern Australia.

In hí speech, Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh reviewed major milestones in Vietnam – Australia relations, saying the two countries have established the strategic partnership built upon their friendly relations five decades ago.

According to the diplomat, the two countries have maintained regular reciprocal visit exchanges, including the most recent trips to Vietnam by Australian Governor-General David Hurley and Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell, helping to enhance bilateral cooperation in all fields.

Two-way trade between the two countries has witnessed spectacular growth, increasing by 20% per year in the 2018-2022 period. With bilateral trade hitting a record of AUD23.5 billion last year, Australia became Vietnam’s seventh largest trading partner, and Vietnam became Australia’s 10th largest trading partner.

Australia has also emerged as one of the leading overseas education markets for Vietnamese students. Over the past 22 years, Australia’s RMIT University in Vietnam has assisted the Government of Vietnam in generating a skilled workforce for Vietnam to realize its development strategies.

Vietnam considers Australia an important partner in its foreign policy in the coming years and it believes that together with Australia, the two countries will contribute more to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region, said the ambassador.

Participating delegates all expected Vietnam and Australia would soon upgrade their strategic partnership, creating a premise for strengthening trust as well as joint efforts to bring great benefits for the people of the two countries and contribute to stability, peace and prosperity in the region and the wider world.

Thousands revel in dances of five continents at Carnival Ha Long 2023

Thousands of local people and visitors reveled in exciting dances of five continents at Carnival Ha Long 2023 held along Vo Nguyen Giap street in Ha Long City on May 1 evening.      

This was the 15th year this event has taken place, making Ha Long Carnival a unique event of Quang Ninh. It marked the start of the summer tourism season in the city and other localities in Quang Ninh.

A series of special art forms led by traditional music and dances and elaborately choreographed by experienced artists were performed on the stage.

The festival comprised four parts: an opening ceremony, stage performances, a street dance parade, and a fireworks display.

It was a festival of rendezvous and cultural exchanges through dances, presenting a chance for not only professional artists but also locals and tourists to easily join as a dancer.

Besides music melodies, songs, and dances, the carnival was highlighted by a 1km-long street parade, with the participation of more than 2,000 professional and amateur artists, along with carnival floats shaped in the form of sails, corals, sea shells, and rocky mountains.

Carnival Ha Long 2023 is part of activities taking place in Ha Long from April 29 to May 3 to celebrate National Reunification Day (April 30), and May Day (May 1) and welcome the summer tourism season in Ha Long.

Other activities include an art photo exhibition, a modern dance festival, Duc Tran Quoc Nghien Temple festival, a kite flying festival, a photo contest themed Ha Long - Heritage City, a street music and art festival, and folk dance performances.

Vietnam Book, Reading Culture Day responded in Russia

A book festival was held in Moscow on May 1 in response to the Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day (April 21), giving a chance for the Vietnamese community in Russia to meet, exchange books and promote the reading culture.

Along with introducing various kinds and titles of books to readers to encourage their reading, the festival also offered an opportunity for visitors to experience calligraphy, folk games and traditional cuisine of Vietnam.

A fund-raising event was also held to build schools for mountainous students at home.

After presenting books to the festival organising board, Mai Nguyen Tuyet Hoa, First Secretary for Education at the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia, said that she hopes a library will be set up for Vietnamese youngsters in the country soon.

The Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day was first held in 2022 following the Prime Minister's Decision No.1862/QD-TTg.

The day is expected to encourage and develop the reading movement among the community, contributing to building a learning society. In addition, it aims to honour readers, authors, publishers, printers and libraries that make efforts to preserve, collect and promote books.

Binh Thuan: Kite flying festival fascinates visitors

A kite flying festival was held on May 1 along the beach of Phan Thiet resort city in the south central province of Binh Thuan, drawing a large number of domestic and foreign visitors.

Along with flying colourful kites in different shapes, visitors also had a chance to join beach games during the festival, which was part of activities to respond to the Visit Vietnam Year 2023 themed "Binh Thuan-Green Convergence" hosted by the province.

According to the Tourism Promotion Centre of Binh Thuan, the launch of the Dau Giay-Phan Thiet Expressway, which connects to the Ho Chi Kinh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway right before the long holiday on the occasion of the National Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1), has helped facilitate the local tourism growth.

The province expects to receive 160,000 visitors during the five-day holiday, doubling that in the same time last year.

In the first four months of this year, Binh Thuan welcomed over 2.8 million visitors, two times higher than the number recorded in the same period of 2022. Of the total, 94,700 were foreigners, up 6.6 times year on year.

The province earned over 7.2 trillion VND (306.84 million USD) from tourism activities in the period, 2.6 times higher than that in the same time last year.

With 192km of coastline, Binh Thuan province is home to islands, islets, coves, bays, and white sand beaches with clear blue water, which form famous tourist attractions.

The province has many tourism resources with many historical-cultural relics and traditional festivals. Currently, the province has nearly 900 accommodation establishments with over 17,000 rooms, including 45 hotels and resorts from three to five stars with nearly 5,000 rooms. The province has 13 travel agencies, including eight international travel agencies.

In 2022, the province welcomed over 5 million visitors, getting tourism revenue of 12.8 trillion VND. It aims to attract about 6.5 million visitors, including more than 200,000 international visitors this year.

Vietnam, Switzerland share judicial experience

A delegation from the Supreme People's Court led by its Chief Justice Nguyen Hoa Binh made a working visit to Switzerland from April 26 to May 1 to exchange judicial experience with the European country.

Receiving the delegation at the headquarters of the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland, Chief Justice Donzallaz Yves briefed his guests on the Swiss court system, including the role of the Federal Supreme Court, and shared experience in the operation of the court.

For his part, Binh introduced achievements in judicial reform that Vietnam has recorded over the years.

At a meeting with Deputy Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) Sylvie Forbin, Binh asked for the organisation's support in training as well as sharing of data and information, especially experience of courts in settling cases related to intellectual property, Internet, and artificial intelligence (AI). This is a global problem that Vietnam is facing amid the booming of information technology and AI, he held.

Forbin affirmed WIPO’s willingness to cooperate with and support Vietnam in strengthening the capacity of judges as well as the court system in the field of intellectual property.

WIPO has already worked closely with the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam to help perfect the legal system, internalise international commitments, and create a legal corridor for activities of courts, she said.

The Vietnamese delegation also held working sessions with leaders of state courts in Geneva and Lausanna to learn about their experience in handling criminal, civil, administrative and public cases.

They also met with Andreas Keller, former criminal judge at the Swiss Federal Supreme Court, who shared information about the Swiss judicial system and experience in solving criminal cases.

Within the framework of the visit, Binh delivered a speech at a ceremony to mark the Hung Kings Commemoration Day and met with staffs of the Vietnamese permanent mission to Geneva and the Vietnamese Embassy in Berne.

Over 3,000 people hospitalised due to traffic accidents from April 29 to May 1

A total of 3,190 people were hospitalised nationwide due to traffic accidents from April 29 morning to May 1 morning as the country is on a 5-day holiday on the occasion of Hung Kings Commemoration Day, National Reunification Day and May Day, according to the Ministry of Health.

During the period, traffic accidents killed 34 people.

As of the morning of May 1, more than 187,000 people were under treatment at medical facilities nationwide, including 3,937 with COVID-19.

To strengthen pandemic prevention and control during the long holiday and to prevent an outbreak, the Ministry of Health requested localities to actively monitor the situation, and enhance surveillance at border gates, in health facilities, and in the community for early detection and timely handling of any emerging cases.

Localities are asked to strengthen communications on disease prevention, while residents are advised to wear facial masks and take disinfection measures, especially at public places like train and bus stations, markets, and events with large crowds.

Luxembourg PM's visit hoped to deepen bilateral friendship, cooperation

The upcoming visit by Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel, the first by a Luxembourg PM to Vietnam in over 20 years, is expected to make the friendship and partnership between the two countries deeper and more substantive.

The visit, spanning from May 3-5, will open a series of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Luxembourg diplomatic relations (1973-2023).

Vietnam and Luxembourg have shared a sound partnership over the past half a century, with regular exchanges of high-level delegations.

Most recently, in December 2022, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh made a fruitful official visit to Luxembourg, bringing the bilateral partnership to a new development period in a comprehensive, practical and effective manner. During the visit, leaders of the two sides agreed to set up a strategic partnership in green finance at an early date. Luxembourg agreed to support the development of a new financial centre in Ho Chi Minh City and strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in trade, investment, education-training, science-technology, and stock market.

They also concurred to increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high level in 2023, while jointly organising activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

The sound bilateral political relationship has motivated the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries. As of March 2023, Luxembourg had invested in 64 projects worth 2.6 billion USD in Vietnam, ranking third among 24 EU countries and 17th out of 139 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. The projects are mostly in the fields of communications, construction and real estate in Hanoi, HCM City and Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

Two-way trade has increased through years from 96 million USD in 2019 to 110.7 million USD in 2020, and 181.6 million USD in 2021 after the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement took effect. Last year, the figure hit 187.1 million USD, up 69% over 2020, with Vietnam's exports worth 130.14 million USD.

On the occasion of PM Chinh's official visit to Luxembourg last year, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in promoting, strengthening and developing trade relations and business dialogue between the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce.

In the field of development cooperation, after officially providing aid to Vietnam in 1993, Luxembourg has committed to continuing development aid to Vietnam and became an official member of the Vietnam Consultative Group since 1998.

Vietnam and Luxembourg signed three cooperation programmes for the 2002-2005, 2006-2010, and 2011-2015 periods, worth 35 million EUR, 50 million EUR, and 42 million EUR, respectively, focusing on Vietnam's demands and development goals for particular periods. Luxembourg decided not to sign such programmes from 2015 onwards, as Vietnam became a middle-income country. However, experts from Lux-Dev, the aid and development agency of the government of Luxembourg, have continued to assist Vietnam in finalising Luxembourg-funded projects.

The mechanism of Vietnam - Luxembourg Partnership Committee also ended in 2017 following Vietnam's middle-income status. Its last meeting was held in January 2017 in Hanoi.

Finance, green finance and banking have been the key pillars in partnership between the two countries.

In 2000, authorised by the PM, the leader of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) signed a Protocol with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, under which the two sides agreed to expand cooperation in the banking and finance sectors, especially in financial technology training and transfer.

Thanks to the protocol, hundreds of training courses have been held for officials from the SBV as well as management officials from commercial and State-owned banks of Vietnam.

Meanwhile, the partnership among Vietnamese commercial banks and Luxembourg partners is positive. By the end of 2022, Vietnamese commercial banks had established more than 20 correspondent banking relationships with Luxembourg commercial banks with a total revenue of payment and money transfer through this system reaching nearly 800 million USD. Through this correspondent banking system, Vietnamese organizations have supported payment and money transfer activities of the two countries' investors and businesses.

Regarding securities cooperation, within the framework of the Vietnam - Luxembourg oriented cooperation programme for the 2006 - 2010 period, the Government of Luxembourg supported the Vietnamese Ministry of Finance's State Securities Commission through a project to develop the capital market in Vietnam, which was the first bilateral development cooperation project between Vietnam and Luxembourg.

Following the success of the project, the Government of Luxembourg continued to support Vietnam in the financial and securities sector through another project to strengthen the capacity in the financial sector. The objective of the project is to assist the development of Vietnam's stock market in accordance with the Securities Market Development Strategy for the 2011 - 2020 period.

Currently, the two sides are implementing an cooperation agreement between the Vietnam Stock Exchange and the Luxembourg Stock Exchange, which was signed in December 2022 on the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit.

The two countries are also working together towards the establishment of bilateral strategic partnership in green finance, aiming for sustainable and inclusive development, and implementing circular economy towards green growth.

Besides, both sides have agreed to expand their collaboration in other fields such as climate change response, environment, culture, and education and training.

At the same time, Vietnam and Luxembourg have maintained meetings and contacts at multilateral forums such as ASEM and within the framework of ASEAN-EU relations and the United Nations. Both countries are members of the UN Human Rights Council.

Following the success of PM Chinh's visit last year, the official visit by PM Xavier Bettel is expected to provide a chance for both sides to reaffirm the shared determination to bring their ties to a new height.

HCM City Party chief greets high-ranking delegation from Cuba

Politburo member, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen on May 1 received a high-ranking delegation from Cuba led by Roberto Morales Ojeda, Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee.

Nen hailed the visit as taking place when Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City in particular are organising a series of activities to celebrate the 48th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30), the 70th anniversary of the Attack on Moncada Barracks, and 50 years since Cuban President Fidel Castro visited the liberated zone of South Vietnam in Quang Tri province.

Highlighting the special, faithful and pure relationship between Vietnam and Cuba, the municipal leader affirmed that HCM City is committed to doing its best to help Cuba overcome its current difficulties, and promoting cooperation activities with Cuba in such areas as investment promotion, trade, economy, tourism, health care, and education.

The city is also ready to send experienced experts and officials to Cuba to share and practice a pilot model of high-tech agricultural development to boost Cuba's agricultural sector, Nen said.

For his part, Roberto Morales Ojeda applauded Nen’s contributions to tightening and developing the relationship between the Communist Party of Cuba and the Communist Party of Vietnam.

Cuba appreciates Vietnam's "Doi Moi" (renewal) process that has helped the country get out of poverty and develop its economy strongly, he said, expecting that Cuba will receive support and experience sharing from Vietnam, particularly Ho Chi Minh City, to boost its economy and improve the living standards of the Cuban people.

The guest hoped that based on the good relationship between the two countries that has been built, consolidated, and cultivated by generations of the two countries' leaders and people, Cuba and Vietnam will further strengthen their cooperation in the coming time.

Cuba wishes to further promote collaboration with HCM City, especially in potential fields like agriculture, education, health, sports, and tourism, he said, adding his country also hopes to attract more Vietnamese investors, including those from the southern economic hub of Vietnam.

During their stay, the Cuban delegation visited Cu Chi Tunnels - a popular historic site of the city and worked with some local units and businesses.

Traffic congestion increases as workers return after holidays

As workers have started to return to their jobs in factories and companies in Ho Chi Minh City and the Eastern provinces, the traffic volume from Mekong Delta provinces passing through Rach Mieu Bridge has increased again.

Rach Mieu Bridge BOT Company reported on May 2 that the number of vehicles from Mekong Delta provinces passing through Rach Mieu Bridge had surged again during the day. It was due to workers returning to work at factories and companies in Southeast provinces and HCMC after the holiday.

A large number of workers chose to leave early to avoid the local traffic jams that often occur on the last day of the holiday. It was reported that there was some congestion at National Highway No.60 from Ben Tre Province to Tien Giang Province.

 
To ensure traffic order, the traffic police force in Ben Tre has been present to regulate and direct traffic. They have also cooperated with Tien Giang traffic police to direct and regulate one-way traffic to alleviate congestion caused by the high volume of vehicles.

Moreover, due to the large number of vehicles passing through the toll station, causing congestion, the Rach Mieu Bridge BOT toll station has been cleared twice under the regulation of the traffic police force.

Sixty-seven people killed in traffic accidents during national holidays

A total of 129 traffic accidents occurred across Vietnam during the national holidays from April 29 to May 3, killing 67 people and injuring 90 others, according to the Traffic Police Department.

The figures represented decreases of 6.5%, 6.9% and 15.1%, respectively.

On the nation's roads, 125 accidents claimed 64 lives and injured 90 others. Meanwhile, three people were killed in four railway accidents.

On this occasion, traffic policemen nationwide punished over 49,300 violation cases with a combined fine of 107.6 billion VND (4.58 million USD); and seized 847 automobiles, 20,067 motorbikes, and 210 other vehicles; and withdrew 11,033 driving licences.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry’s Department of Medical Service Administration said that in four days from 7am on April 29 to 7am on May 3, medical examination and treatment establishments nationwide examined and provided first aid for 270,031 people, of whom, over 99,700 were hospitalised.

Vietnamese top international tourists in card spending in RoK

With nearly 200,000 KRW in each per-capita card transaction, Vietnamese tourists spent the most among international visitors to the Republic of Korea (RoK) in 2022, according to the RoK’s credit card and financial service company BC Card.

Data released by BC Card on May 3 showed that Vietnamese tourists’ per-capita authorised card transactions stood at 197,000 KRW (147.21 USD) each in 2022, 89% more than what they spent in the previous year.

This was higher than 188,000 KRW in card purchases by the second-biggest spender Japanese tourists, 171,000 KRW by Chinese visitors, 126,000 KRW by those from Taiwan (China), and 109,000 KRW by Americans.  

For the last three years, Vietnamese spent the most when shopping at duty-free outlets and department stores, as well as on hospital visits and cosmetics in the RoK. In particular, their spending at duty-free stores and department stores last year exploded by 1,837% and 400% year on year, respectively.

This result matched the purposes of Vietnamese tourists when coming to the RoK as surveyed by the Korea Tourism Organisation, namely shopping, food, beauty care, and health care.

Venezuela determined to further strengthen ties with Vietnam: President

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro Moros affirmed his country’s determination to further strengthen the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam while receiving Vietnamese Ambassador Vu Trung My, who came to present his credentials, in Caracas on May 2.

Congratulating My on being appointed as the Ambassador of Vietnam to Venezuela, President Nicolás Maduro recalled his visit to Vietnam in August 2015 and expressed his admiration for late President Ho Chi Minh, the Southeast Asian country’s struggle for national liberation and reunification, and especially the enormous achievements of Doi moi (Renewal) launched and led by the Communist Party of Vietnam.

He also thanked the Vietnamese Party, State, and people for their solidarity with and support for the constitutional Government of Venezuela.

The President emphasised Venezuela’s wish and determination to further intensify the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, including developing economic and trade ties on par with the sound political relationship.

For his part, My expressed his honour to serve as the Ambassador of Vietnam to Venezuela, pledging all-out efforts to contribute to the bilateral comprehensive partnership, particularly when the two countries will mark the 35th founding anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2024.

He also congratulated Venezuela on its considerable achievements in socio-economic development and affirmed the Vietnamese Party, State, and people’s consistent support for the constitutional Government of President Nicolás Maduro.

The diplomat said he believed that under the clear-sighted leadership of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) headed by President Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan people will certainly surmount every difficulty and challenge to successfully carry out the last instructions of late leader Hugo Chávez, continue reaping new achievements in national development, and promote the country’s reputation and stature in the international arena.

Vietnam and UAE eye US$10 billion trade target

Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will strengthen all-round cooperation to raise their trade turnover to US$10 billion in the near future from the current US$5 billion.

The agreement was reached during a meeting between UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Vice President of Vietnam Vo Thi Anh Xuan who arrived in Dubai on May 3 for the 2023 Global Summit of Women and the visit to the UAE.

UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed also attended the meeting.

To realize the target, Xuan proposed that the two sides encourage their businesses to engage in investment and trade promotion activities, and create favourable conditions for their key products to enter each other’s markets.

The two sides should continue to improve the legal framework to support economic cooperation, especially the early start of negotiations for the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Vietnam and the UAE, she said.

The two sides also agreed to boost investment attraction, expand cooperation in the fields of oil and gas, renewable energy, logistics, agriculture, and halal products. They consented to soon convene a meeting of the Vietnam – UAE Intergovernmental Committee this year to review and work on measures to promote bilateral cooperation.

They stressed the need to increase reciprocal visit exchanges, strengthen cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and support each other at regional and international forums.

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan affirmed that the United Arab Emirates considers Vietnam an important partner in the Asia-Pacific region, and it wishes to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in all fields.

He highly appreciated the Vietnamese community’s contributions to the UAE, and assured his guest that the UAE Government will continue to support the community to develop and further contribute to the friendship between the two countries.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan affirmed that Vietnam wishes to further strengthen the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with the UAE, an important economic, trade and investment partner in the Middle East region.

She conveyed President Vo Van Thuong’s invitation to invite UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to visit Vietnam. She also invited UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time. The President and Vice President of the UAE happily accepted the invitations.

Foreign visitors to Thua Thien - Hue rise 26 times during five-day holiday

The central province of Thua Thien - Hue has welcomed approximately 36,300 foreign visitors during the five-day national break from April 29 to May 3, representing a 26fold rise year on year.

The locality served 99,000 domestic and foreign holidaymakers during the period, up 80% compared to the same period last year, said Nguyen Van Phuc, director of the Thua Thien-Hue provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The number of guests staying in Thua Thien - Hue was estimated at 54,400, up 70%, of whom 21,600 were international visitors, up 27 times. Notably, in three days from April 29 to May 1, all hotels in Hue were fully booked.

The number of tourists visiting the Hue Monuments Complex hit a record high of more than 69,031. In particular, May 1 saw the Hue Monuments Complex welcome 24,313 visitors, the highest number of visitors recorded in a single day.

Vietnamese people had five days off work from April 29 to May 3 to celebrate National Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day (May 1). Localities launched promotion campaigns to attract visitors. Most tourist attractions attracted hordes of holidaymakers.

Vice President leaves for 2023 Global Summit of Women in Dubai

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan is scheduled to leave Hanoi on May 3 for Dubai to attend the 2023 Global Summit of Women and then visit the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar.

Convened by US-based Globewomen Research & Education Institute, the 2023 summit is expected to bring together 800 delegates from 70 economies to engage in active cross-border networking, robust best practice exchanges, and inspiring presentations, with a focus on strategic and creative solutions to advance women’s economic progress globally. 

Themed “Women: Leading a New Climate of Change” the summit will highlight how women are utilizing innovative strategies and technologies to advance women’s economic opportunities and to address challenges faced by society at large.  

The Vice President of Vietnam is scheduled to deliver a speech at the opening ceremony of the global gathering which is due to take place on May 4-6 with various sessions and activities.

The Vietnamese delegation’s engagement in the summit demonstrates the country’s policies, efforts as well as outstanding achievements in ensuring gender equality and women empowerment, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to the UAE Nguyen Manh Tuan.

Their participation is to highlight Vietnamese women’s positive contributions to national development and international integration, share international experiences, promote relations, build networks with female leaders, and strengthen connections between Vietnamese businesswomen and international female entrepreneurs, said Tuan in an interview granted to the Vietnamese media.

Xuan in her speech will propose a number of initiatives to promote women’s role in solving global problems as well as domestic issues in each country.

The message the Vietnamese delegation will deliver to the summit is, according to the ambassador, to affirm women’s important role and contributions to post-pandemic economic recovery, acknowledge women’s efforts in accelerating innovation, and promote gender equality and women empowerment in society.

After the summit, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan will pay an working trip to the UAE and Qatar.   

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