Vietnam news in brief - September 15

Vietnam and China launch cross-border travel program

Vietnamese and Chinese tourists will be able to cross the border at Ban Gioc Waterfall in Vietnam's Cao Bang Province starting at 9 a.m. today (Sept. 15). The program will last for one year, until September 14, 2024, and allows each country to send a maximum of 10 tour groups or 100 travelers across the border daily. The length of stay for tourists will be set at a maximum of five hours.

The program does not apply to travelers of third nationality. The waterfall is also known as Detian Waterfall in Chinese.

Visit Hanoi by jeep among the 25 things to do in the world

Travelers in jeeps visit a local museum in Hanoi. Photo: Hanoi Backstreet Tours

Hanoi's city tour by jeep ranks 10th among the world's top 25 must-try experiences, according to travel site Tripadvisor. For about US$55 per passenger, tourists can enjoy a city tour, visit historical and cultural sites, and sample street food and sidewalk beers. The ranking is based on global traveler practices and website reviews.

Exploring Ho Chi Minh cuisine with local students is another Vietnamese must-try practice on the list, ranking 14th. The tour costs about $25 per tourist. Other attractive activities include Grand Circle Island and Haleiwa Town tours in Hawaii, a cooking class in Chiangmai, Thailand, and a bicycle tour in Singapore.

Ancient goddess statue returns to Vietnam

A seventh-century bronze statue of the four-armed goddess Durga is returned to Vietnam this week in London. The statue, which is two meters tall and weighs 250 kilograms, was recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. It was stolen from the My Son Sanctuary in the central province of Quang Nam 15 years ago and had retained the possession of antiquities smuggler Douglas Latchford.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long said the event was an important milestone to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-UK diplomatic relations.

Vietnam, Italy promote cooperation in fruit trade

Vietnamese fruits are introduced at a trade fair in Italy. Photo: The Embassy of Vietnam in Italy

Vietnam and Italy need to discuss a suitable framework to promote fruit import and export cooperation, according to a proposal made by Fruitimprese President Marco Salvi on September 14 during a meeting between Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung and Fruitimprese CEO Pietro Mauro and representatives from the Italian Confederation of Agriculture (Confagricoltura) and Fruitimprese member companies. It is seen as an opportunity for both sides to strengthen their relationship through concrete cooperation, and all cooperative initiatives will be supported, according to Fruitimprese.

Vietnam hopes to strengthen exchanges and expand the market for Vietnamese fruit products in Italy, including importing dragon fruit, jackfruit, lychee, lime, avocado, mango and coconut.

Vietnam serves as gateway for Canadian exports to ASEAN

Vietnam can serve as a gateway for Canadian companies looking to expand in the ASEAN region, said Gabriel Chartier, director of the Indo-Pacific region and the Quebec Ministry of International Relations and the Francophonie, at a seminar entitled "Vietnam, the gateway to the Indo-Pacific for Quebec businesses". The event aimed to assess the level of awareness and utilization of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) by Canadian businesses after five years of implementation.

The event was part of a series of activities commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 30th anniversary of establishing the Trade Office in Canada.

Many businesses want to invest in Ho Chi Minh City's green economy

Both domestic and foreign businesses expressed their desire to invest in and support Ho Chi Minh City in developing a green economy while expecting clear regulations and policies. The "CEO 100 Tea Connect" meeting gathered 100 business leaders, organizations, and local agencies from Vietnam and abroad in Ho Chi Minh City on September 14 as part of the "Ho Chi Minh City Economic Forum 2023".

The proposals will be considered by the city authorities to refine the strategic development framework for a green future in 2030 and the vision for 2050 in September, and then make proposals to issue standards based on research on international production, consumption, and green development.