Vietnam News Highlights for July 30, 2023

Kien Giang resumes sea transport after storm

People board an express boat to Phu Quoc Island on July 30. Photo: Huu Tuan/The Hanoi Times

After a three-day suspension, the southern province of Kien Giang on July 30 resumed all maritime traffic between the mainland and its islands, including Phu Quoc. Vo Minh Tuan, director of the Kien Giang Port Authority, said the ban was lifted at 6am after a good weather forecast.

The ban was imposed on July 27 due to high waves and strong winds caused by the sea storm.

Vietnamese chess players to begin World Cup journey

Four Vietnamese chess players, including grandmaster Le Quang Liem, are in Azerbaijan to compete in the 2023 World Chess Championship, which will be held from July 30 to August 25 in Baku, the host country's capital. The players will compete in seven knockout stages to reach the final.

The Chess World Cup 2023, in which 312 players will participate, is an opportunity for Vietnamese players to improve their skills and prepare for the ASIAD 19.

Vietnam qualifies for second Davis Cup group stage

Vietnam's national tennis team has secured the last ticket for the second group qualification of the Davis Cup 2024. Vietnam beat Jordan 2-1 in the play-off in Sri Lanka on July 29. In the third group qualification, Vietnam finished second in Group A behind Iran.

Vietnam entered the Davis Cup 2024 third-group qualifier without its number 1 player Ly Hoang Nam. The team defeated Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia but lost to Iran in Group A.

85% of Vietnamese want to travel abroad in 12 months

A report released this week by global market data firm TGM Research shows that 85% of Vietnamese respondents would like to travel overseas in 12 months' time, with Southeast Asian countries a priority. However, 26% of respondents are concerned about the cost and their ability to afford the trips.

Among all respondents, 42% would choose budget accommodation while 38% would like to stay in 3-4 star facilities.

Danang marine tourism program underway

Danang launched a tourism promotion program called "Enjoy Danang 2023" at Bien Dong (East Sea) Park this week. The five-day event, which ends on August 1, features a wide range of activities, such as a food festival, a kite art performance, a marine environment protection festival, and a paragliding tournament, "Flying over Tien Sa" at Son Tra Peninsula.

City authorities hope the program will give visitors an unforgettable experience and attract more tourists.

Vietnam's trade value down 14% year-on-year in Jan-Jul

The total trade value in the first seven months of 2023 fell 14% year-on-year to US$374.2 billion, according to the General Statistics Office. Of this, exports fell 10.6% year-on-year and imports fell 17% inter-annually.

The United States was Vietnam's largest customer in the seven-month period, with purchases worth about $52.4 billion, while China was the biggest supplier, with sales worth $58.6 billion.