On September 26, the HCM City Department of Tourism announced a significant achievement: the city’s River Festival has earned dual international accolades, a rare honor for events in Vietnam.
The festival secured the Gold Stevie Award in the Arts, Entertainment & Public Festival category, while its opening spectacle, “Vietnam: The Legendary Voyage,” claimed the Gold Stevie Award for Arts, Entertainment & Public-Cultural Festival.
The International Business Awards (IBA), part of the esteemed American Stevie Awards, is globally recognized as one of the most prestigious business award platforms, often likened to the “Oscars of the business world” by the New York Post. Its 23rd edition attracted over 3,800 nominations from 78 countries, underscoring its competitive nature among top corporations, organizations, and global brands.
Launched in 2023, the HCM City River Festival has rapidly expanded in scope and influence. The 2024 edition, headlined by “Vietnam: The Legendary Voyage”—a five-part masterpiece featuring nearly 1,000 performers and seamlessly blending folk arts, music, dance, lighting, cinema, and cutting-edge technology—drew over 4.5 million attendees, including 121,000 international visitors. The event generated approximately VND4.25 trillion in tourism revenue.
The third installment of the festival is scheduled from November 29 to December 31, taking place across multiple venues in the southern city. It promises a rich array of activities, including waterway tourism promotions, cultural performances, regional collaborations, shopping deals, and ticket discounts, further cementing its status as a premier cultural and tourism event that captivates both domestic and international audiences.

Indulge in Local Delicacies at the Second HCM City River Festival
A culinary showcase debuted on May 31 as part of the ongoing second edition of the Ho Chi Minh City River Festival, offering visitors a taste of the region’s finest dishes.
Vietnam and Japan Sign 30 Cooperation Documents at Joint Economic Forum
Vietnam is making significant strides in implementing environmentally-friendly cooling solutions. In recent news, the country has showcased its commitment to combatting climate change by rolling out initiatives aimed at reducing carbon emissions. These efforts are expected to have a positive impact on the environment and contribute to Vietnam’s sustainable development goals. In addition, Vietnam and Japan have strengthened their economic ties by signing 30 cooperation documents at a joint economic forum. This partnership is set to promote trade and investment between the two nations, fostering mutual growth and prosperity. Moreover, a business-networking event took place to enhance trade relations between Vietnam and Senegal. This event aimed to provide a platform for business professionals from both countries to connect and explore potential opportunities. Lastly, India MICE visitors had the opportunity to experience river tourism in Ho Chi Minh City, further boosting tourism and cultural exchange between India and Vietnam. These recent developments highlight Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to enhance its global presence and foster international collaborations.
Vietnam, Netherlands Sign MoU on Customs Cooperation: Vietnam and the Netherlands have agreed to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance their customs cooperation. This agreement aims to strengthen the partnership between the two countries in areas such as trade facilitation, border security, and the combat against illicit trade. The MoU signifies the commitment of both Vietnam and the Netherlands to promote efficient customs procedures and foster trade relations.
On November 4th, here are the latest updates on Vietnam: Vietnam urges for the lifting of the US embargo against Cuba. Meanwhile, Vietnam and the Netherlands have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on customs cooperation. In other news, Vietnam’s trade surplus for the first 10 months of this year has reached a record high of US$24.6 billion. Lastly, HCM City has welcomed over 30 million tourists in the span of 10 months.
EVFTA: A Monumental Step Forward in Vietnam-EU Relations
Today (Sep. 4), Vietnam News highlights instances of Vietnam’s successful bilateral cooperation with the European Union, ongoing peacekeeping missions, and expanding strategic partnerships with Japan. Furthermore, the news sheds light on the appeal of living in Vietnam, which places 14th on the list of expat-favored countries due to its budget-friendly lifestyle options.








