Vietnam news highlights for April 27, 2023

Turkisk Government pays tribute to international volunteers

Turkish President Reecep Tayyip Erdogan presents medals of honor to Vietnamese officers for their search and rescue efforts following the February earthquake. Photo: Department of Fire and Rescue Police

The Turkish Government held a ceremony on April 25 (local time) to recognize international support for search and rescue efforts following the 7.8-magnitude earthquake that struck in early February. The disaster killed approximately 51,000 people, injured hundreds of thousands, and caused US$100 billion in damages.

After the earthquake, some 11,000 volunteers and government officials from 90 nations arrived in Turkey to assist local authorities with search, rescue, and resettlement efforts. About 100 Vietnamese military and police personnel were dispatched to Turkey, marking the first time Vietnam has joined an international search and rescue operation.

VinFast receives US$2.5 billion funding pledges

Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast, and Vingroup Chairman and billionaire Pham Nhat Vuong signed a pledge on April 26 to provide US$2.5 billion in support and loans to VinFast for its future development.

Pham Nhat Vuong will donate US$1 billion from his personal assets to VinFast within the next year, and Vingroup will lend US$1 billion for a maximum of five years and donate US$500 million to VinFast as a non-refundable contribution. The decision was made in light of the fact that VinFast has successfully executed its business and production plans while making great strides in the global market. VinFast, a Vingroup company, was established in 2017 with the aim of driving the global smart electric vehicle revolution.

Vietnam’s largest enterprise council introduced

A council of Vietnamese large-cap firms was presented on April 26 by the Vietnam Confederation of Commerce and Industry (VCCI). The council aims to bring together and connect leading Vietnamese enterprises, strengthen international cooperation, help small and medium-sized enterprises grow, and create a Vietnamese economy that is self-reliant, sustainable, and globally integrated.

The Council comprises 21 leading companies in Vietnam, including lender BIDV, real estate developer BRG, Vietnam Rubber Group, Phu Nhuan Jewellery JSC, technology giant CMC Corporation, food producer Loc Troi Group, and industrial park developer Kinh Bac. The council will be chaired by VCCI President Pham Tan Cong, Truong Hai Auto Corporation Chairman Tran Ba Duong, and telecommunications group FPT Chairman Truong Gia Binh.

HCM City to launch city tour on electric minibuses

The HCM City Transport Department is seeking approval from the city's People's Committee to deploy about 200 electric minibuses to boost tourism activities. The minibuses, ranging from five to 14 seats, will take visitors on a city tour to various destinations in the city.

The vehicles will operate 24 hours a day. The fare for each passenger will vary from VND10,000 (US$0.43) to VND50,000 (US$2.13). Group fares range from VND70,000 (US$2.98) to VND250,000 (US$10.65), and full-day fares are set at VND100,000 (US$4.26). Passengers can book the trip through a specially designed app or contact the operator. The minibuses are expected to start operating on April 30.

Da Nang Beach Tourism Season 2023 kicks off during public holidays

The central city of Danang to launch the Opening Beach Tourism Season 2023. Photo: Hoa hoc tro

A series of activities under the festival "Da Nang Beach Tourism Season 2023" will be held from April 29 to May 3 at East Sea Park, Son Tra Peninsula and My An, My Khe, T18, and Nguyen Tat Thanh beaches to provide visitors with memorable experiences during the five-day National Reunification Day (April 30) and International Labor Day (May 1) holidays.

The events include a beach art installation exhibition, kite flying performances, a cuisine festival, traditional handicrafts, a sand sculpture contest, a Summer sea festival, 2023 Da Nang Color Race, a Summer dance camp, night activities at My An Beach, and others. Son Tra Peninsula will also host other events, including the inauguration of the Son Tra inland wharf, a painting contest on red-shanked douc langurs combined with a photo exhibition on "Moments of Son Tra," a paragliding tournament, and a chess championship.

Second writing contest on Hanoi memories kick-start

The second Hanoi memories writing contest was launched on April 26 to collect the best stories about the capital, promote local cultural features among readers at home and abroad, and cultivate a love for Hanoi among those who have their own ties to the city.

The contest winner will receive a prize of VND20 million (US$852.4), double last year's. The total value of all prizes is estimated at VND50 million ($2,130). All stories must be submitted to the Nong thon Ngay nay (Rural Today) newspaper or to cuocthikyuchanoi@gmail.com by September 10. The awards ceremony is scheduled for early October.

Hanoi archery team win national championship

Hanoi archers won 32 medals, half of them gold, to lead all teams at the National Archery Championship 2023, which ended on April 26 in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau. The southern province of Vinh Long ranked second with 14 medals, while the home team of Ba Ria-Vung Tau ranked third with eight medals.

The championship gathered more than 180 archers from 18 provinces and cities nationwide. The competition was an opportunity for the players to gain experience and improve their skills to join the national team to compete in international events.