Vietnam news in brief - November 1

Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, Traveloka to boost promotion

An overview of the signing ceremony of the event. Photo: VNA

The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Cooperation for 2023-2026 between the Vietnam National Tourism Authority and Traveloka took place on October 31, marking the first step towards enhancing the travel experience for both domestic and international tourists in Vietnam.

The partnership aims to promote local destinations to domestic travelers and key markets abroad, particularly in Southeast Asia and beyond.

Hoi An, Dalat join UNESCO's Creative Cities Network

UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay has decided to include Dalat and Hoi An in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) along with 53 other cities worldwide. Hoi An is a creative city in the field of folk arts and crafts, while Dalat is a creative city in the field of music.

National E-commerce Week, Vietnam Online Friday 2023 to be held in November

National E-commerce Week and Vietnam Online Friday 2023, the largest online shopping event in Vietnam, will be held nationwide from November 27 to December 3. The program aims to stimulate consumer demand, attract people to experience e-commerce and digital technology, and promote investment, infrastructure development, and technological solutions for Vietnamese businesses.

Per capita productivity jumps 2.5 times in 2011-2021: Committee of Culture and Education

An average Vietnamese generated VND172 million (US$6,995.7) in 2021, up 2.5 times from VND70.3 million (US$2,860) in 2011, according to the National Assembly's Committee for Culture and Education. The committee also reported that Vietnam's annual productivity growth rate over the 10-year period was 6%, lower than other economies.

The main reasons for the slow productivity growth are the lack of technology adoption in production, a large number of workers in agriculture and the informal sector, an aging population, and a shortage of skilled and certified workers.

Vietnam to complete high-speed rail in 2045

The Vietnamese Government aims to start construction of the national high-speed railway in 2030 and to have it fully operational by 2045. Priority will be given to the Hanoi-Vinh and Ho Chi Minh-Nha Trang lines. The government also plans to upgrade old-fashioned railways and complete urban rail networks by then.

On October 18, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha issued a governmental decree stating that the high-speed railway will be designed at 350km/h.

Week-long festival to promote green travel in Ho Chi Minh City

Travel cruises on Saigon River, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Ha Nam/The Hanoi Times

Ho Chi Minh City will host a week-long travel festival from December 4 to 10, including a doodle art event, a green tour, and a marathon race. Now in its third year, the festival aims to promote green and sustainable tourism in the city.

Local districts and travel companies are expected to seize the opportunity to promote their products and services to both Vietnamese and international guests. From January to October, the city welcomed 30.5 million tourists, including 4.1 million foreigners.

New southern gas power plant commissioned

Block B of the O Mon Gas-Power Chain, a joint project of the Vietnam Gas and Oil Group (PetroVietnam) and its partners, was inaugurated earlier this week after 20 years of development. The project has an estimated investment of $12 billion, with a capital city of five billion cubic meters of gas per year and approximately 3,800 MW of electricity.

When fully operational, the plant is expected to generate substantial revenues for the State budget, profits for investors, and socio-economic growth in the southern region, particularly in Ca Mau, Kien Giang and Cantho, as well as create jobs for local people.

Vietnam Airlines records revenue of nearly US$1 billion in Q3 2023

Vietnam Airlines, the national flag carrier, recorded consolidated revenue of over VND23.75 trillion (nearly US$1 billion) in the third quarter of 2023, up more than 11% year-on-year. These positive results are attributed to the gradual recovery of air traffic and the airline's short-term and long-term solutions, such as flexible supply chain management, cost reduction, and negotiation of service price reductions.