Highlights from April 10, 2023

Latest news about Vietnam and Hanoi has been released.

10 April, 2023

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Check out the breaking news caught today!

Tuyen Quang Province to Host Second International Hot-Air Balloon Festival

Tuyen Quang Province is set to host its second international hot-air balloon festival next month, offering a unique opportunity for visitors to experience the thrill of sailing the skies.

The festival will take place from October 4th to 6th, and will feature a variety of hot-air balloons from around the world. Participants will get to experience the joy of soaring through the air in a majestic hot-air balloon, as well as participate in a number of other events such as paragliding, skydiving, and a hot-air balloon race.

The festival will also include a number of cultural and entertainment activities, such as traditional music and dance performances, as well as a variety of food and drink stalls.

Organizers hope that the festival will become an annual event, helping to promote Tuyen Quang Province as a tourist destination and showcasing the region’s unique culture and heritage. With its stunning natural landscapes, friendly locals, and exciting activities, the festival promises to be an unforgettable experience.

Tuyen Quang Province’s first International Hot-Air Balloon Festival held in 2022. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

The Second International Hot-Air Balloon Festival – 2023 will be held from April 28 to May 5 in Tuyen Quang Province, offering an amazing chance for guests to appreciate the stunning landscapes of the northern mountains. The event will bring together 20 hot-air balloons and pilots from various countries, such as Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the Netherlands, and Malaysia.

Huynh Vo Hoang Son and Quan Tran Gia Han, the first runners-up of the Mister Universe Tourism 2023 and the Miss Peace Vietnam 2022 respectively, will serve as the brand ambassadors of the festival. This festival is one of the key events that will be held in support of the tourism year of Tuyen Quang Province. Other exciting activities that will be held during the festival include an exhibition of local handicrafts and craftsmanship, a kayak race, and a women’s football tournament.

Grab Apologizes for Inaccurate Display of Vietnamese Islands on the Map

Grab, a Singapore-based online ride-hailing platform, has issued an apology for inaccurately displaying several of Vietnam’s islands on its in-app maps. The islands, which are part of the Spratly archipelago in the South China Sea, were inaccurately shown on the map as part of China’s territory.

The mislabeling of the islands sparked outrage in Vietnam, where the country’s Ministry of Information and Communications requested that Grab rectify the mistake. Grab quickly responded and issued an apology for the mistake. In a statement, the company said, “Grab deeply regrets this error and apologizes to our users in Vietnam and everywhere else who were affected by this incident.”

Grab also said that the mistake was due to a “technical error” and that it had corrected the map accordingly. The company went on to emphasize its commitment to maintaining accurate maps and providing reliable services to its users.

The mislabeling of the islands was an unfortunate mistake, but Grab’s swift response and apology to its affected users is admirable. The company has demonstrated its commitment to providing accurate information and reliable services to its customers.

A spokesperson for Grab Vietnam, a ride-hailing firm, apologized on April 9 for incorrectly displaying the names of the islands owned by Vietnam in the East Sea (South China Sea). The company is actively working with their map developer to rectify the mistake. They are hopeful that this incident will not adversely affect their operations in the country.

As reported earlier, between the night of April 8 and the morning of April 9, some of the names of the islands in the East Sea, which belong to the sovereignty of Vietnam, were mistakenly written in both Chinese and English, such as Vanh Khan (Mischief) Reef and Chu Thap (Fiery Cross) Reef. This wrongful act has caused public concern that Grab may have implied that these islands belonged to China. As of 10am on April 10, the error in the display of Vietnamese islands had not yet been rectified.

Serial events to promote Vietnamese travel in overseas markets are set to take place. From conferences and seminars to workshops and webinars, these events will provide an opportunity for the industry to showcase the country’s offerings to potential travelers. By connecting with potential customers and influencers in key international markets, this series of events will raise awareness of Vietnam as a travel destination and drive interest in the country. The combined effect of these serial events should increase the number of international visitors to Vietnam, boosting the local tourism industry.

Nearly forty events will be held to promote Vietnamese specialties and attractive destinations to the overseas markets, promising a dynamic year for the local tourism sector, according to Nguyen Minh Hang, director of the General Economics Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To successfully organize the events, the ministry suggests the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism host international meetings to share experiences on boosting the tourism sector.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is taking steps to strengthen its ties with India and Middle Eastern nations while providing materials and publications for increased advertisement of Vietnam’s embassies and overseas societies. In response, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has suggested that both agencies should promote inbound and outbound travel and showcase the country’s diverse and flavorful cuisine to the international community.

Vietnam’s President Vo Van Thuong has embarked on his first diplomatic trip, as he seeks to strengthen ties with countries across the globe. During his visit, he is expected to meet with numerous world leaders, and discuss a range of issues, including economic cooperation, security, and regional integration. President Thuong’s journey is seen as an important step in Vietnam’s efforts to become a major player on the international stage. With the support of its allies, Vietnam is striving to build a more prosperous future for its citizens and establish itself as a reliable partner in the international community.

Vietnam’s President Vo Van Thuong will make his inaugural overseas diplomatic trip as the nation’s leader when he visits Laos from April 10-11, at the invitation of Thongloun Sisoulith, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos. During the trip, President Thuong and his Vietnamese delegation will hold talks with Laos’ top officials, including President Thongloun, Prime Minister, and National Assembly Chairman, as well as meet with the Vietnamese community in the country.

The visit of the Vietnamese Prime Minister to Laos will help to bolster the already strong relations between the two countries in all areas and facilitate the implementation of the agreements such as the Vietnam-Laos Strategic Cooperation Agreement 2021-2030 and the Vietnam-Laos Bilateral Cooperation Agreement 2021-2025. This will further strengthen their unity, friendship, and partnership.

On April 9, the authorities of Ho Chi Minh City and Savannakhet Province in Laos inaugurated a project worth VND60 billion (US$2.56 million) to renovate and reconstruct the Ho Chi Minh President Relic located in the Lao locality.