Vietnam news in brief - January 13

Ha Long Bay, Sapa among top 5 destinations in 2024

Ha Long Bay in the northern province of Quang Ninh and Sapa Town in the northwestern province of Lao Cai ranked 3rd and 5th, respectively, in the "Trending Destinations” category of Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best 2024 by TripAdvisor – the world's largest travel guidance site. 

The award is given to travel destinations whose lodging, dining options, and activities garnered a significant number of positive reviews and comments from the public during 12 months.

FPT launches its mobile virtual network

FPT Retail, a subsidiary of FPT Corporation, has launched its mobile virtual network, becoming the fifth mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) in Vietnam. The country now has four MVNOs, including Indochina Telecom Joint Stock Company (iTel), Mobicast Joint Stock Company (Reddi), ASIM Telecom (Local), and VNPAY (VNSKY).

Viettel earns over US$7 billion in 2023

Military-run telecommunications group Viettel generated a consolidated revenue of VND172.5 trillion (US$7 billion) in 2023, up 5.4% from 2022. Viettel's average daily revenue exceeded VND470 billion ($19.2 million). However, the group has not released its profit for 2023. In 2022, Viettel recorded the highest profit in five years, with a pre-tax gain of over VND43.5 trillion ($1.8 billion).

67 new real estate projects licensed in 2023

Vietnam licensed 67 new property projects with nearly 25,000 residential units in 2023. Also last year, 71 projects with about 29,612 units were finalized and 197 started listing, according to the Ministry of Construction.

Hanoi to hold fireworks at 30 locations to welcome Lunar New Year

Firework in Tet 2023. Photo: Duy Khanh/The Hanoi Times

Hanoi announced on January 12 that it will launch fireworks at 30 locations, nine of which will launch both aerial and ground fireworks, such as Hoan Kiem District (in front of Hanoimoi newspaper headquarters and Hanoi Post Office), and the rest will host ground fireworks, such as Hoang Mai District (Den Lu Park), Long Bien District (Vinhomes Riverside eco-urban area).

Development strategy for Vietnam's social insurance industry approved

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai has signed a decision approving the strategy to develop Vietnam's social insurance industry by 2030. Under the strategy, about 45% of the working-age population is expected to be covered by social insurance, including 25% of farmers and informal sector workers; 55% of pensioners receiving pensions, monthly social insurance, and social retirement benefits; 35% of the working-age population enrolled in unemployment insurance; and over 95% of the population benefiting from health insurance.

Chinese chapters in ASEAN boost business cooperation

At the launch ceremony of three ASEAN country chapters in Ho Chi Minh City on January 12, the Guangdong - Hong Kong - Macau Bay Area Entrepreneurs Alliance signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Ho Chi Minh City Young Business People's Association, the Hong Kong Business Association Vietnam, the Canton Business Association Vietnam, the China Business Association Ho Chi Minh Branch and the Malaysia Business Chamber Vietnam to strengthen partnership, exchange and explore business cooperation opportunities.