Vietnam news in brief - September 5

Tuy Hoa Airport to get another terminal

The south-central province of Phu Yen has planned to build another domestic terminal at Tuy Hoa Airport with a capacity of three million passengers per year, according to a proposal submitted by the provincial People's Committee to the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises.

The project is in line with the development plan for the national airport system from 2021 to 2030, with a vision to 2050, approved by the Prime Minister. The capacity of the current terminal is 550,000 passengers per year.

Vietnam's canned tuna exports to South Korea up nearly 470%

Vietnam is the eighth largest supplier of tuna to South Korea. Photo: Cong Thuong magazine

Vietnam's canned tuna exports to South Korea in the first seven months of this year increased nearly 470% inter-annually, while other imports from other major markets are declining, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).

Tuna exports to South Korea increased 2.5 times year-on-year in the past seven months, reaching over US$7 million. In South Korea, Vietnam ranks eighth among major tuna suppliers but stands out as the largest supplier of processed and canned tuna in the first half of 2023, surpassing Thailand and Italy.

Vietnam's manufacturing sector shows signs of recovery

The S&P Global Vietnam Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rose to 50.5 in August, indicating a modest improvement in business conditions. While the recovery is tentative, manufacturers recorded the first increase in new orders and exports in several months. However, employment declined slightly, reflecting cautious hiring amid fragile demand. Prices rose for the first time in four months, with both input costs and selling prices increasing.

Noi Bai Airport handles 86,000 passengers on national holiday's last day

Passengers are standing in line to check in. Photo: Quy Nguyen/ The Hanoi Times

Noi Bai International Airport handled more than 86,000 passengers on September 4, the last day of the four-day national holiday. The figure includes about 59,000 Vietnamese travelers and 27,000 international guests. Compared to the previous three days, the airport's throughput increased slightly.

During the national holiday, Hanoi received about 640,000 visitors, up 51% inter-annually, and earned an estimated VND2 trillion (US$83 million) from tourism.

Ho Chi Minh City seeks public consensus on building battery stations 

Ho Chi Minh City is seeking public feedback on its plan to build battery stations for electric motorcycles to promote the use of eco-friendly vehicles and sustainable development in the city. The program targets e-motorbike riders working in goods delivery and transport services. The city plans to build 100 stations for 1,000 riders by June 2024 and 1,000 stations for 100,000 riders by 2027.

Users can exchange a dead battery for a fully charged one at the stations in supermarkets, bus stations, and parking lots. The fee is set at VND10,000 (US$0.41) for a battery.

Viettel to attend 31st International Defense Industry Exhibition in Poland

Military-run telecom group Viettel is the first Vietnamese company to participate in the International Defense Industry Exhibition (MSPO) in Kielce, Poland, from September 5 to 8. The telecom group will showcase 60 products and technologies in communications, electronic warfare, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and private networks for military operations and seek opportunities to expand international partnerships.

MSPO is one of the largest military events in Europe and the ninth largest in the world. Now in its 31st year, the exhibition brings together 700 military suppliers, 60 delegations from 36 countries and an estimated 25,000 guests.