Foreign tourists visit Hoa Lo Prison relic site in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)Foreigners visit Ho Chi Minh City's Post Office. (Photo: VNA)– Around 8.9 million foreign tourists travelled to Vietnam in the first nine months of this year, a 4.7-fold increase compared to the figure of the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).However, the figure was equal to 69% of the number in the same period of 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.In September alone, the country welcomed more than 1 million foreign visitors, down 13.4% month-on-month.In the January-September period, 87.5% of foreign tourists chose to travel to Vietnam by air, 11.8% by road, and the remainders by sea.Revenue from accommodation and catering services in this period rose by 16%, and earnings from travel and tourism services surged by 47.7% year-on-year.Australia’s Micenet Magazine recently assessed the central region of Vietnam as a new "hot" spot for MICE tourism.In its article, the magazine wrote: “Central Vietnam is coming into its own as more international and domestic flights serve Da Nang, which is growing as a destination for conferences, meetings and incentive events. Its location between two UNESCO world heritage sites – Hoi An, 30km southeast, and Hue, 100km northwest – also helps”.There is a wide choice of luxury and five-star international and local brand hotels in the city and along a 60km stretch of beach, it added./.

In the Vietnamese market, the VinFast VF 6 comes with 2 trims: Base and Plus. The base trim starts at 675 million VND (excluding battery) or 765 million VND (including battery), while the plus trim starts at 765 million VND (excluding battery) or 855 million VND (including battery). The delivery of the VinFast VF 6 models to Vietnamese customers is expected to commence by the end of 2023. VF 6 is the next strategic model in VinFast's electric vehicle lineup, after VF e34, VF 8, VF 9, and VF 5. VinFast VF 6 has a length of 4,238mm, a width of 1,820mm, a height of 1,594mm, and a wheelbase of 2,730mm.

Thai Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya presented the SEA Write Award to writer Vinh Quyen. — Photo laodong.vnPrior to the SEA Write Award, Inside Infinity won the second prize in the Novel Competition 2016-19 of the Việt Nam Writers Association. "Thai Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana Rajakanya, on behalf of her father, King Maha Vajiralongkorn, awarded The SEA Write Award to me. The SEA Write Award. The SEA Write Award, also known as the Southeast Asian Writers Award, is an annual literary prize that recognises outstanding works of literature by Southeast Asian writers.

From 29 September 2023, customers in Ho Chi Minh City can conveniently book and use the Green SM Bike’s electric scooter ride-hailing service through the Green SM mobile application. The VinFast Feliz S model will be used for the Green SM Bike’s electric scooter fleet, showcasing the distinctive Cyan Blue paint. Echoing Green SM’s core values, Green SM Bike also commits to providing its passengers with an outstanding service experience through a team of friendly, well-trained, and professional drivers. Specifically, for every completed ride, Green SM Bike will contribute VND100, while Green SM’s taxi will allocate VND1,000 to the Foundation. For more information about Green SM Bike, Green SM, and Green SM Luxury Taxi services, customers can visit Green SM’s official website or download the Green SM mobile application from App Store and Google Play.

A foreign-invested footwear material factory in Thuan An city, Binh Duong province (Photo: VNA)– Many foreign press agencies have run articles featuring Vietnam’s economic growth , pointing to rosy signs in its recovery.French wire service AFP cited statistics by the General Statistics Office (GSO) showing the economy grew 5.33% in the July-September period from a year earlier, and that loan interest rate reductions, an extension of tax payments and increased public investment had a positive impact.Nikkei Asia also said the growth was accelerated thanks to tourism, noting “the services sector helped boost economic output during the three months through September, driven mainly by retail and tourism. The sector is estimated to account for about 40% of Vietnam's GDP.”“Travelers returned to popular destinations like the central city of Da Nang, with the number of foreign visitors entering the country from July to August reaching 2.25 million, already exceeding 1.27 million in July-September last year.”Recent official economic data shows that the manufacturing sector is recovering, it said, adding that the monthly industrial production index turned positive in May and marked the fifth consecutive month of expansion in September.China’s Xinhua News Agency also cited official data showing Vietnam attracted nearly 20.21 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) from the start of this year to September 20, a year-on-year growth of 7.7%.The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said in its Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2023 that Vietnam’s economic growth is expected to slow down to 5.8% in 2023 mainly due to “the weak external environment.”However, its Country Director for Vietnam Shantanu Chakraborty said the economy remains resilient, and recovery is expected to pick up in the near term, driven by strong domestic consumption, which is supported by moderate inflation, an acceleration of public investment, and improved trade activities./.

- On the back of the newly-signed Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the US, American exporters are setting their sights on delivering a wider range of agricultural products to Vietnamese consumers. Other products such as grapes and cherries were also gaining popularity among Vietnamese consumers.He expected that the upgraded relationship would facilitate the entry of more American fruits into Vietnam in the years to come. Vietnam ese consumers purchase sorghum mostly in the form of mixed ingredients. There is no data about sorghum import as a single ingredient, but what is known is that sorghum products were gaining favour in the country. "Sorghum is what Vietnamese consumers need for their healthy eating pattern," said Giang.Le Van Anh Tu, a representative of the US Meat Export Federation, said Vietnamese consumers had a great appetite for American tri-tip beef.

A street in Vientiane capital of Laos. (Photo: AFP/VNA)– The Asian Development Bank ADB ) has revised down its growth forecast for the Lao economy in 2023 to 3.7%, from a 4.0% projection released in April.According to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2023, economic growth in Laos is forecast to be slower than expected due to weaker growth prospects in China, and macroeconomic pressures arising from unsustainable public debt and a weak Lao currency, the kip.The 2024 growth forecast was kept at 4.0%.Curbing inflation is among the main challenges to Laos . Though inflation decelerated in August to stand at 25.88%, down from 28.64% in June and 27.8% in July, the rate is still among the highest in the region. The Lao Statistics Bureau said the weak kip is one of the main drivers of inflation.Lao media cited ADB Country Director for Laos Sonomi Tanaka as saying that sound macro-economic management, including stronger coordination across fiscal and monetary policies, is urgently needed to address the country’s economic and financial challenges./.

Two more State-run commercial banks - Vietinbank and BIDV - lowered their deposit rates on September 19 to match the lowest level during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both cut their rates by 0.2 or 0.3 percentage point on deposits with a term of three months or longer. The rate for deposits with a 12-month term was also lowered by 0.3 percentage point to 5.5% per annum. For one-month and two-month deposits, the rate remains at 3%. These rates are similar to those of Vietcombank and Agribank, which were revised downwards on September 14./.

Military medical workers practice resuscitating injured engineers while performing the task of clearing bombs, mines and explosives at refugee camps. (Photo: qdnd.vn)Sen. Lieut. Gen Phung Si Tan (first, left), Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, chairs the programme. (Photo: VNA)– The hosting of the Competency Evaluation Programme for Prospective United Nations Peacekeepers (CEPPP), an activity under the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) Experts’ Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations (PKO-EWG) Cycle 4, aimed to continue affirming the role and responsibility of Vietnam in preparing for and joining UN peacekeeping missions, according to Sen. Lieut. Vietnam’s efforts and performance in preparing for and organising the event have been hailed by the co-host Japan and the ADMM-Plus member countries, he added./.

Vietnam attaches importance to and supports the United Nations (UN)’s central role in the global administration system in order to cope with current big common challenges, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed while meeting with President of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) Dennis Francis in New York on September 20 (local time).Vietnam commits to actively contributing to major priorities of UNGA 78, including the consolidation of peace through enhancing trust, fostering cooperation, easing tensions between powers, strengthening solidarity, promoting multilateralism, reforming international financial institutions towards more equality, and realising the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the PM stressed.He held that a global, all-people and comprehensive approach is needed to tackle such challenges, and affirmed that Vietnam supports and is resolved to implement the SDGs and respond to climate change, particularly achieving the target of net zero emissions by 2050. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) and President of the 78th UN General Assembly ( UNGA 78 ) Dennis Francis. (Photo: VNA)Chinh briefed Francis on Vietnam’s National Power Development Plan VIII, which guides the development of power plants and power grids between 2021 and 2030, with a vision until 2050. The country will soon announce a resources mobilisation plan for the implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), he added.The PM also highlighted Vietnam’s efforts in ensuring rice exports, contributing to guaranteeing global food security.For his part, Francis spoke highly of the UN-Vietnam relations, saying he is impressed by socio-economic achievements the Southeast Asian nation has recorded. He highly evaluated the country's active and dynamic role, and increasing position, including its participation in UN peacekeeping operations.Francis also commended Vietnam’s achievements in poverty reduction and national development, saying its experience in this field should be shared to the world, and spoke highly of the country’s cooperation in the SDGs implementation, climate change response and food security.The President of UNGA 78 agreed to cooperate with Vietnam to promote the compliance with the UN Charter and international law, and multilateralism.On this occasion, Chinh invited Francis to visit Vietnam in the coming time./.

They also specifically discussed other topics such as wind energy, solar energy, women’s role in the energy sector, energy efficiency, and green transport. They also stressed the need to pay attention to gender equality and promote women’s role in the energy transition process. General Director of Hanoi Tourism Investment JSC Nhu Thi Ngan said that most of night activities in Hanoi are ended before 12:00am. Cuong, who is also Deputy Minister of National Defense of Vietnam, welcomed the Thai general’s visit which he said would help provide fresh impetus to defense cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand. The two sides will work closely together for the fifth Vietnam – Thailand defense policy dialogue to be held in Vietnam later this year.

Considered as Asia’s financial hub, Hong Kong is a role model for Việt Nam to follow. This sets a very strong foundation for the local stock market to develop further. Hong Kong is located in Asia, but we are a global market, connecting global corporates with global capital on one hand. HKEX and the Hong Kong market are well positioned to connect global and China liquidity with Vietnamese opportunities. The recent arrangements allowing international companies primarily listed in Hong Kong to be admitted to Stock Connect southbound trading will certainly enhance the attractiveness of Hong Kong as a listing destination.

Visitors view clothes made from recycled fabrics at the Vietnam Texfuture 2023 Fall Winter being held at the Thisky Hall convention centre in Thu Duc city from September 20 to 23. (Photo: VNA)- Vietnam Texfuture 2023 Fall Winter, an international innovative fabric exhibition , opened in Ho Chi Minh City on September 20.It has the theme "Going recycling - Going circular,” and has attracted more than 15 brands and 200 Vietnamese and foreign exhibitors who are showcasing recycled, functional, natural, and synthetic fabrics, innovative technologies and solutions, textile accessories, eco-friendly fashion, and digital transformation solutions.The event also includes business matching activities, forums where industry experts will speak about new ideas to drive a more sustainable textile industry, and tours to leading garment and textile factories.Speaking at the opening ceremony, Tran Ngoc Liem, Director of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s HCM City branch, said the garment and textile industry has faced difficulties this year, causing exports to fall by 14.4% in the first eight months to 22.5 billion USD.But there are clear signs of recovery with exports increasing steadily for the last four months, he said.“US President Joe Biden's visit to Vietnam this month and the elevation of bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership is conducive for the export of Vietnamese goods, especially garment and textiles,” he said.“But to make good use of these opportunities and gradually climb up the global supply chain, the textile and garment industry needs to improve labour productivity and product value, be more positive in sourcing raw materials and enhance cooperation with their counterparts, customers and markets.“Digitalisation and greening are inevitable trends in the textile industry by 2050, and businesses need to adopt more circular factors. If no changes are made, Vietnam's textile and garment industry might gradually lose its competitive advantage.”Organised by the VCCI, Sustainable Textile Solutions and Tengda Exhibition, the exhibition at the Thisky Hall convention centre in HCM City’s Thu Duc City will go on until September 22 and is expected to attract over 2,500 visitors./.

HÀ NỘI — Feasibility in disbursement must be studied carefully before proposing and approving new public – investment projects, Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang said during a meeting with the Working Group No 3 including 17 ministries and agencies on solutions to speed up disbursement of public investment in remaining months of this year. Quang said that many projects had been raised for allocation of public investment but failed to be implemented for many years. For future public projects, ministries and agencies must study their feasibility carefully, especially in site clearance and planning to prevent failure in disbursement, he said. 235/QĐ-TTg dated March 13, to speed up public investment disbursement in 2023. According to the ministry’s Department of Planning and Investment, transport projects such as Mai Sơn – National Highway No.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)The artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) algorithms of the Vietnam Petroleum Institute (VPI) under the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) forecast that the retail prices of petrol will rise by nearly 4% in the upcoming adjustment on September 21.Accordingly, the price of E5 RON92 and RON95 will increase by 867 - 977 VND per litre to 24,337 VND and 25,847 VND per litre, respectively.Meanwhile, the retail price of oil is likely to increase by over 3%.The prices of diesel may rise by 750 VND to 23,800 VND per litre, while kerosene is predicted to increase by 779 VND to 23,959 VND per litre. The price of mazut oil is likely to go up by 503 VND to 18,202 VND per litre./.