Vietnam news in brief - August 31

Vietnam scores historic win over South Korea in Asian volleyball tournament

Vietnam women's volleyball team at the 2023 Asian Volleyball Championship in Thailand. Photo: Asian Volleyball Confederation

Vietnam staged a comeback to beat South Korea 3-2 in the opening match of the 2023 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship on August 30. Korea dominated the first two sets before Vietnam turned the tables and took the match. South Korea is ranked 35th in the world volleyball rankings, 12 places above Vietnam.

The 2023 Asian Women's Volleyball Championship is underway in Thailand from August 30 to September 6. The top three teams in the tournament will qualify for the 2025 Women's Volleyball World Championship.

German beer festival Oktoberfest 2023 debuts in Danang

The German beer festival "GBA Oktoberfest 2023" will be held in Danang for the first time, alongside the traditional celebrations in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The event will start in Hanoi on September 28-30, in Danang on October 6, and in Ho Chi Minh City on October 12-14.

Gathering some 10,000 participants each year, the beer festival is one of Southeast Asia's largest and most anticipated cultural events. For more than 30 years, the annual festival has helped Vietnam and Germany strengthen bilateral relations, introduce the Vietnamese to German cuisine and cultural traits, and bridge the two nations' business communities.

Capital to develop Red River waterway tours

Hanoi is considering developing a waterway tour on the Red River starting from Chuong Duong Do Cruise Port in Hoan Kiem District. Other initiatives include the development of handicraft villages in Soc Son and Phu Xuyen districts.

The city will also seek further tourism cooperation with provinces and cities in the central coastal region, the south, and the Central Highlands. In January-August, Hanoi welcomed nearly 17 million travelers, up 36% year-on-year.

Hue City to develop smart tourism platform

The central province ofThua Thien-Hue is developing smart tourism by installing automated tour guide stations in Hue City. The smart stations will guide tourists through the most popular places in the province as well as local restaurants, souvenir shops, transportation vehicles, and travel maps. The station is equipped with a user-friendly, Internet-connected, multilingual operating system.

The smart system will cover about 1,000 popular destinations in the city and is expected to help the city become a first-tier city in the near future.

Vietnamese, Japanese officials seek more cooperation in science and technology

Vietnam and Japan are seeking further cooperation in science and technology and combating climate change, according to a meeting on August 30 between Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and leader of the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan Izumi Kenta.

The two lawmakers hoped their nations would strengthen relations in all fields and prepare for mutual growth in the following decades.

Hoi An Culture Days in Paris Festival closes with success

The two-day Hoi An Culture Days in Paris Festival, which ended on August 30, introduced the Vietnamese-French and French people to unique cultural features. The event provided information on the history and famous sights in the ancient city of Hoi An while showcasing local specialties and traditional art performances.

The event is expected to spread the beauties of Hoi An Ancient City and Vietnam to the international communities and strengthen Vietnam-France relations.

Over 70% increase in e-visa applications since Vietnam's new policy

After 15 days of Vietnam's new e-visa policy, a total of 112,058 e-visa applications have been submitted, representing an increase of over 70% compared to the period before the law was enacted.

On August 14, the Vietnamese Government issued a resolution on granting electronic visas to all foreign passengers, with the relevant proceures carried out at 13 air, 16 land and 13 sea border posts.

Vietnam commutes death sentences of 11 prisoners to life imprisonment

President Vo Van Thuong decided on August 30 to commute the death sentences of 11 prisoners, including two foreigners, to life imprisonment.

The decision demonstrates the leniency and humanitarian policy of the Vietnamese State.