Vietnam development

Four simultaneous thematic sessions of the 2019 Vietnam Travel and Tourism Summit took place in Hanoi on December 9, discussing the difficult issues of the Vietnamese tourism sector. The event featured the participation of numerous domestic and foreign experts. The first session focused on the theme of “reorganising promotion activities to inspire visitors”. Many experts stated that the Vietnamese tourism sector has gained certain successes in the promotion activities. However, there are many problems in need of being improved. The delegates proposed measures to promote the country’s tourism as well as resolve the limitations and shortcomings that worsened the image of destinations. At the second session, experts discussed the “improvement of the visitors’ planning and booking of services”. Several solutions to strengthen the digitalisation of tourism services were proposed, contributing to improving the stages of applying for travel permits and … [Read more...] about Vietnam Travel and Tourism Summit discusses four important issues

Still the ‘engine’ of the country’s economic development, southern provinces have seen growth slowing down. After many years of waiting, Vam Cong, the second cable-stay bridge across the Hau River, after Can Tho bridge, has been put into operation. Analysts say that it would help the southwestern provinces improve their capability of connecting with HCMC and Cambodia. However, there are still many things that need to be done as the area now has only 11 percent of total highway length, though it makes up 55 percent of the country’s GDP. Hai Phong story Hai Phong City in the north is called a ‘rising star’. Many Vietnamese and foreign groups, including VinFast, Sun Group and BRG, have chosen the locality to set up their production facilities. In 2018, the city attracted $2.5 billion worth of FDI, or 2.7 times higher than the year before. The strong rise of Hai Phong has close relations with the development of a series of infrastructure projects. … [Read more...] about Infrastructure development to give southern region a push

Despite being considered as the driving force of Vietnam’s economic growth, agriculture has been held back by an incomplete logistics system which fails to ensure quality and connect farms with markets.  A container is loaded at Chu Lai Port in Quang Nam Province. Vietnam lacks a well-connected logistics network which can boost agricultural product trade and export. — VNA/VNS Photo Danh Lam Vietnam has recently opened its doors for agricultural products to be exported to the international markets, yet struggled to win over customers and couldn’t compete with products from other countries in terms of quality and price due to drawbacks of the existing logistics system. Most small- and medium-sized enterprises fail to afford the cost of logistics services. According to Viet Nam Association of Logistics Services Enterprises, the expenses for storing and transporting agricultural products account for up to 30 per cent of selling prices, higher than those of … [Read more...] about Poor logistics system hindering Vietnam agricultural products’ trade

Tighter regulations are needed to ensure good quality water is sourced for years to come. A PSI project model implemented in Phu Thanh Commune, Nghe An Province is displayed at a conference in Hanoi. VNS Photo That was the message delivered by Nguyen Thi Hong Khanh, from the Ministry of Construction’s Technological Infrastructure Department. She believes a solid legal framework is necessary to make sure there is plenty of water for future generations. “We need a scheme for the Water Supply Law, and submit it to the Government and the National Assembly,” Khanh said. “It is needed to survey and catalogue important sources to have an effective protection, exploitation and use plan.” There are more than 200 water supply enterprises, mainly operating as joint stock companies. The national programme to ensure water supply and prevent water loss in the 2018-25 period has been implemented to promote investment and improve modern and energy-saving water … [Read more...] about A legal framework for water supply essential in Vietnam

Officials in Vietnam's southern island resort of Phu Quoc are consulting provincial police and foreign affairs officials on how to deal with a Russian woman who has been begging on the street in recent days, an act deemed illegal under Vietnamese law. The 20-year-old woman appeared in a photo which has gone viral on Facebook this week, showing her in meditation posture next to a pot and a sign that says she needs money. Phu Quoc officials said they have found a place for her to stay temporarily, but they do not know what to do with her next. She said she has been begging her way through Cambodia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, spending the nights in parks or jungles and begging for money during the days to pay for food and other goods. Tran Chi Dung, director of Kien Giang Province’s tourism department, told Tuoi Tre newspaper that foreigners begging in Vietnam is nothing new, and many have been seen asking for money by performing in the street. “Compared to … [Read more...] about Vietnam officials flummoxed by Russian beggar on popular tourist island