Vietnam News Highlights for July 17, 2023

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to visit Vietnam

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will travel to Vietnam after participating in the G20 meeting hosted by India on July 13-18 to discuss bilateral trade issues, the US Treasury Department has said.

On July 20-21, Janet is scheduled to meet with senior Vietnamese officials, including Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, State Bank of Vietnam Governor Nguyen Thi Hong, and Finance Minister Ho Duc Phoc.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City cruise tours among top 50 winter escapes for Australians

Tran Quoc Pagoda by the West Lake. Photo: Phuong Thuy

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and various cruise routes in Vietnam have been named among the top 50 Winter holiday destinations for Australian tourists, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. As much of Australia enters the Winter holiday season, visiting a tropical city like Ho Chi Minh City may prove appealing.

A recommended 15-day cruise starting in Hanoi and ending in Ho Chi Minh City takes travelers to the vibrant river areas of Cai Be or Sa Dec. A visit to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Halong Bay, can be added to extend the trip.

Series of events to promote K-Contents in Vietnam 

The Korea Creative Content Agency Vietnam Office (KOCCA Vietnam) will host a series of events to promote K-contents in Vietnam and strengthen cooperation in the creative content industry. Among the events, the "Korean Animation Film Week" will be held in Ho Chi Minh City this month while having expert exchanges and the first B2B trade link.

Starting on August 12, KOCCA Vietnam will also hold the "K-Pop Song I Love" contest, with preliminary rounds in the major cities of Danang, Hanoi, Binh Duong and Ho Chi Minh City, and the final round in Hanoi at the end of September.

Vietnam wins gold medal at Asian Athletics Championships 2023

Vietnam won the women's 4x400m relay on July 16 to secure the only gold medal at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships (AAC 2023) in Thailand. The Vietnamese athletes finished the race in 3 minutes 32.36 seconds, almost a second faster than the Sri Lankan team.

After winning the 4x400m relay, Vietnam ranked 12th overall with two medals. Earlier in the day, Vietnamese athletes won a bronze medal in the triple jump competition. The AAC 2023 was held from July 12 to 16, with 40 nations participating.

Vietnamese students win medals at the 2023 International Physics Olympiad

All five Vietnamese students won medals at the 2023 International Physics Olympiads in Japan, including two golds, two silvers, the Ministry of Education and Training announced on July 16. 

Nearly 400 students from 84 countries and territories participated in the eight-day competition, which ended on July 17. It is the largest physics Olympiad ever held.

Hau Giang Province aims to become southern hub

The Hau Giang Provincial People's Council aims to become the industrial hub of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta region by 2050. Accordingly, the province aims to grow by 7.0-7.5% per year in 2021-2025 and by 10-12% per year in 2026-2030. Per capita income is expected to reach VND84 million (US$3,550) in 2025 and VND150 million (US$6,340) in 2030.

To achieve the plan, Hau Giang will prioritize infrastructure and highway development to better connect with other regional localities and promote the growth of modern, environmentally friendly agriculture, smart cities, and sustainable tourism.