Vietnam news in brief - October 26

Vietnam, North Korea work for foreign affairs 

Vietnam and North Korea discussed foreign affairs during the visit paid by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu on October 21-26. The two sides agreed to strengthen relations through high-profile exchanges, cooperation on culture, sports and tourism, as well as people-to-people ties. They talked about preparations for the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral ties in 2025. The two sides pledged to maintain cooperation at the United Nations, ASEAN, and the Non-Aligned Movement and vowed to support peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the East Sea.

Vietnam steps up efforts to combat IUU fishing

A government meeting on combating IUU fishing, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and attended by key officials, opened on October 25 with a focus on sustainable fisheries, stricter monitoring, and penalties. The DPM called for better tracking, seasonal management, livelihood support, and the elimination of "three-no" vessels (unregistered, uninspected, unlicensed) by November 20.

Vietnam Airlines markets its direct flights to Munich

Vietnam Airlines has launched a promotion for its direct flights to Munich to bring passengers to key attractions such as the Zugspitze and Innsbruck, which are connected to the Jewels of Romantic Europe network. From December 2024, the frequency of flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Munich will increase to four times a week.

Belgian Festival takes place in Haiphong

The Belgian Culture and Cuisine Festival 2024 (B.Fest 2024), held from October 25 to 27 in the northern city of Haiphong, showcases Belgian culture with 25 signature beers, chocolates, and dishes. The event features three art nights with international artists, including renowned DJs from Belgium. The festival highlights the strong cooperation between Belgium and Vietnam and attracts visitors and the expatriate community in Haiphong.

Aircraft fleet of Vietnam Airlines. Photo courtesy of the airlines

Quang Nam fosters ecotourism through conservation

Quang Nam is promoting ecotourism alongside biodiversity conservation to increase its attractiveness and environmental sustainability. With its rich landscapes and high biodiversity, the province has adopted a 'conservation for development, development for conservation' approach that focuses on green tourism involving communities in ecosystem conservation. This strategy has earned Quang Nam recognition as a leading green destination, attracting a number of visitors.

King Ham Nghi artifacts returned 

The Hue Monuments Conservation Center on October 25 received artifacts of King Ham Nghi (1871-1944), a patriotic Vietnamese ruler who led the anti-colonial Can Vuong movement against the French occupation. The items, donated by his descendant Dr. Amandine Dabat from France, include a mother-of-pearl tray, Chinese script books, and a tobacco pipe.

Bookas expands access to knowledge with audiobook app

Vietnamese Bookas launched its audiobook app on October 25 during the Book and Digital Transformation Week in Ho Chi Minh City to provide users with accessible knowledge anytime, anywhere. Utilizing AI, Bookas offers high-quality audiobooks with immersive sound effects to enhance listeners' experience. The company also signed contracts with prominent authors and donated 10,000 audiobooks to Ho Chi Minh City to reinforce its commitment to spreading knowledge.