Vietnam news highlights for May 2, 2023

Vietnam leads Asia in infrastructure development spending

Vietnam spends 5.7% of its total GDP on infrastructure construction, the highest among Asian nations, according to international research firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The well-invested infrastructure aims to boost socio-economic development in Vietnam and make the nation a middle-income economy in the near future.

According to PwC, Asia-Pacific's low- and middle-income economies, such as Vietnam, India, Indonesia, and the Philippines, must build 60% of new mass infrastructures to boost sustainable socio-economic growth. Among the key obstacles for those nations is financial capability.

Asian Tour to make a return to Vietnam after eight years

A golf court in the central coastal city of Danang. File photo

The Vietnam Golf Services JSC and the regional professional golf agency Asian Tour have agreed to host international golf competitions in the next three years. Under an agreement signed in late April, Asian Tour will organize the first- and second-class competitions under the Asia Development Tour. If successful, the events will mark the return of the Asian Tour to Vietnam in 2015.

The deal will boost the local golf-tourism industry as the competitions will attract millions of travelers to the nation and spend on local services. Vietnam is now home to 80 golf courts, and the number of golf courts in the country is expected to reach 200 in 2025. Some 10,000 Vietnamese people are regular players, and 30,000 players are active at least twice a month.

Ha Long Carnaval 2023 festival opens

The Ha Long Carnaval 2023 festival opened in the northern province of Quang Ninh’s Ha Long City on May 1 to advertise the domestic value to both domestic and international tourists. The event was divided into four parts featuring traditional and modern art performances, street dances, and a firework show.

Cambodian broadcaster leaders face dismissal for the 32^nd SEA Games

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on May 1 warned to fine directors of the national television for not broadcasting live sports activities that do not feature Cambodian athletes during the 32^nd SEA Games. The Prime Minister said the sporting event is a proud festival for Cambodians, and all competitions should be watched whether Cambodian players are involved.

The 32^nd SEA Games is underway in Cambodia from May 5 to May 17, hosted for the first time in the nation. Cambodia offers free accommodation and travel for all delegations and free-of-charge communication licenses to promote the image of the nation.

HCM City may assist Cuba in hi-tech agriculture

Ho Chi Minh City may send specialists to help Cuban authorities develop high-tech agriculture, the municipal Party Committee’s Chairman Nguyen Van Nen said on May 1. 

Roberto Morales Ojeda, a member of the Cuban Political Bureau, said the Latin nation hopes to attract more Vietnamese investors and foster its relations with HCM City in agriculture, healthcare, education and training, and tourism and sports.

Vietnam Airlines reports big loss in Q1

A Vietnam Airlines aircraft. Photo: Vietnam Airlines

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines announced its combined post-tax loss fell 94% on-year to VND137 billion (US$5.84 million) in the first quarter (Q1). That was attributed to better performances of Vietnam Airlines and its member companies, including Pacific Airlines.

Strong demand for travel in domestic and international markets helped boost the company’s results, up 76.5% and 618.5% on-year, respectively.

Vietnam Airlines has restored 90% of all its international routes compared to the pre-pandemic level. 

Customized motorbike shops in HCM City raided

HCM City traffic police department on May 2 announced they had raided 14 motorbike shops and several spare part stores that allegedly built customized motors. The raid was among key operations implemented to prevent illegal bike racing in the city.

Lower cyberattacks on Vietnamese users in four months

Vietnam recorded nearly 500 attacks on the local cyber network in April, down nearly 47% year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Information and Communication. In the past four months, the number of cyberattacks declined slightly on-year to nearly 4,000 cases.

The decline in cyberattacks was attributed to the improvement of technical systems in companies and organizations that prevented attempts from cybercriminals.