Vietnam news in brief - November 21

Dien Bien Airport to reopen early next month

Dien Bien Airport. Photo: Dienbientv.vn

Dien Bien Airport will resume operations on December 2 to handle Vietnam Airlines' flights between the northern province of Dien Bien and Hanoi, and low-cost carrier Vietjet Air's service between Dien Bien and Ho Chi Minh City, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam.

Mobile money pilot project extended to end of 2024

The Vietnamese Government has issued a resolution to extend the pilot period for Mobile Money services, allowing businesses to experiment with using telecom accounts to make small-value payments for goods and services until December 31, 2024.

The State Bank of Vietnam, together with the Ministries of Information and Communications, Public Security, and Justice, will draft regulations for this direct carrier billing service by next May.

Vietnam to develop blockchain technology products in Cambodia

Vietnam's Unicorn Ultra (U2U) ecosystem opened its representative office in Cambodia on November 20 to develop products using blockchain technology, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data. U2U operates under the venture builder model, investing in technology startups and collaborating on the development and use of the platform.

Vietnam's rice exports set a new record

According to the General Department of Customs, Vietnam's rice exports reached nearly US$4 billion in the first 10 months of 2023, surpassing the record of US$3.67 billion for the whole of 2012. The Philippines remains Vietnam's top rice export market, accounting for nearly 36% of total rice export turnover.

Halong Bay recommended for conservation as a tourist destination

Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Photo: Shutterstock/Nguyen Quang Ngoc Tonkin

Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the northern province of Quang Ninh, has been recommended by the US-based Fodor's Travel magazine to be placed on a list of destinations where tourism will be restricted in 2024. The move will have a short-term impact on local people's lives, but it is necessary to protect Halong Bay from possible long-term consequences, the US magazine said.

Three more gold medals for Vietnamese Wushu athletes at World Championships

Vietnam won three more gold medals on the last competition day of the 16th Wushu World Championship 2023 on November 21. The first two gold medals were won by Dang Tran Phuong Nhi. In the final standings, Vietnam won five gold medals, three silver and three bronze medals, its best result in a world championship. 

The 16th World Wushu Championship was held in Texas, US from November 16 to 21, bringing together around 800 athletes from around the world.