Vietnam news in brief - May 22

Ban Gioc waterfall among the best in the world

Tourists visit Ban Gioc Waterfall in Cao Bang Province. Photo: Ho Ha/The Hanoi Times

Ban Gioc Waterfall in the northern province of Cao Bang is one of the world's best, according to global tourism magazine Travel+Leisure. In its list of the world's 21 best waterfalls published in early May, the magazine described the waterfall as "a series of cascades that straddle the border between China and Vietnam." Ban Gioc is considered one of the largest natural waterfalls in Southeast Asia and the best of its kind in Vietnam.

Vietnam claim title at Asian Relay Championships

Vietnamese female runners won the 4x400m race at the 2024 Asian Relay Championships on May 21 in Bangkok, Thailand. The Vietnamese female team finished the race in 3 minutes and 30.82 seconds, breaking the national record of 3 minutes and 31.46 seconds set in Singapore in 2015. Vietnam won a total of one gold and three bronze medals at the competition, which was held from May 20 to 21.

Art, writing contest launched to celebrate 50 years of national reunification

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has launched a contest to select the best 50 artistic performances and writings created after national reunification (April 30). According to Deputy Minister Pham Quang Dong, the contest is themed "The National Epics" and aims to promote the best artworks to celebrate the 50th anniversary of national reunification on April 30, 2025.

Submissions should be sent to the Department of Performing Arts on Nguyen Thai Hoc Street in Hanoi by December 31, 2024. The final results will be announced on April 30, 2025.

EC to inspect Vietnam's fight against IUU in September-October

The European Commission will arrive in Vietnam in September-October to review Vietnam's measures to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported (IUU) fishing, according to the Department of Fisheries under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Between now and September-October, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang will tour coastal provinces to inspect their efforts to combat IUU fishing.

International arrivals to Ho Chi Minh City surge in Jan-May

International arrivals to Ho Chi Minh City are estimated to reach nearly 2.3 million in the first five months of 2024, up 31.7% from the same period in 2023, reaching 37% of the 2024 plan, according to the city's tourism department. The city aims to welcome six million foreign tourists this year.

Vietnam Cultural Week 2024 kicks off in Cambodia

The Vietnam Cultural Week in Cambodia in 2024 opened on May 21 at the Chaktomuk Conference Hall in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. This is the 19th time since 2006 that the two countries have jointly organized this major cultural exchange activity, contributing to strengthening neighborly friendship and people-to-people exchanges. The event will last until May 25.

TH Group launches dairy project in the Russian Far East

On May 21, TH Group broke ground on a dairy farming and processing project in the Priomorsky Territory of the Russian Far East. The project, with a total investment of over VND5.2 trillion (US$204 million), includes a milk processing plant capable of processing 60,000 tons of milk per year and a livestock facility for up to 10,000 cows, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2027. The animal husbandry facility is considered to be the largest in the Primorsky Territory.

More promotions, gifts to stimulate cashless payment

The State Bank of Vietnam has asked credit institutions, foreign bank branches, and payment service providers to promote cashless payment with activities such as preferential programs and promotions in June. The activity is in response to the 2024 Cashless Day (June 16).

Ho Chi Minh City police bust big drug ring

The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Public Security announced on May 21 that it had busted an armed drug trafficking ring, seizing nearly 43kg of drugs. Police also detained 75 people for further investigation and seized four handmade firearms, a grenade and other evidence.