2024: Promising Year for Domestic Tourism in Vietnam

Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina (R) and Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Nguyen Manh Cuong at the meeting on January 9 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam – Bangladesh friendship brings practical benefits: Bangladeshi PM

The friendship between Vietnam and Bangladesh, which has gone through many ups and downs in history, will continue to be strengthened, bringing practical benefits to the people of both countries, said Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina.

During a meeting on January 9 with Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Nguyen Manh Cuong, who came to congratulate her over the success of the 12th General Election and the victory of the Awami League (AL) party led by PM Sheikh Hasina, PM Hasina stated her belief that under her leadership, the Government of Bangladesh will continue to achieve great accomplishments in socio-economic development, ensuring a prosperous and happy life for her people.

Ambassador Cuong highlighted the fruitful development of the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, especially in economics and trade. He expressed his hope that PM Hasina will support and create favorable conditions for opening a direct air route between the two countries, thus promoting bilateral cooperation in trade, tourism, and people-to-people exchange in the future.

Vietnamese Pho named among the world’s 20 best soups

Cable News Network (CNN) Travel of the United States has included Vietnamese Beef pho (pho bo) in its list of the world’s 20 best soups.

The broth, simmered for hours with cinnamon, star anise, and other warm spices, creates a wonderfully aromatic base for this rice noodle soup, according to CNN. Pho is one of the most recognized culinary exports of Vietnam, although it is a relatively new dish.

A bowl of noodles with beef. (Photo: Leisa Tyler/LightRocket/Getty Images)

Today, various versions of pho bo are enjoyed by locals, featuring options such as the original raw beef, a mix of raw and cooked beef, brisket, and tendon.

CNN’s list also features other delicious soups from around the world.

2024 expected to be a good year for domestic tourism

Positive signals for Vietnam’s tourism sector have been seen in many destinations such as Phu Quoc, Tay Ninh, and Da Nang right from the beginning of 2024, making it an optimistic year for domestic tourism.

In Phu Quoc, a popular tourist destination in the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, recovery signs have been visible since late 2023, with a surge in the number of tourists. The launching of Cau Hon (Kiss Bridge) and an entertainment complex at the Sunset Town have contributed to the island’s bustling tourism activities, according to the Chairman of the People’s Committee of Phu Quoc city.

In Tay Ninh province, the world’s largest Maitreya Buddha statue, the highest artificial waterfall in Asia, and Uoc (wishing) Bridge have been attracting Buddhists and visitors alike. Tay Ninh aims to become a popular destination in the new year.

A color show in Phu Quoc (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang, a central city, is also promising for 2024, with a rising trend in the number of tourists. The Da Nang Department of Tourism reported that the city served more than 7.4 million guests in 2023, including over 2 million foreigners. During the recent Christmas and New Year holidays, Da Nang witnessed a surge in tourist arrivals, contributing to the city’s tourism recovery.

In 2023, Vietnam received 12.6 million foreign arrivals, exceeding the target set for that year and showing remarkable growth compared to 2022. The number of domestic tourists also reached a high level, and the sector’s revenue surpassed the 2019 figure.

Remittances to Vietnam rise sharply due to global uncertainties

Vietnamese expatriates have been sending more remittances back home as a result of global geopolitical insecurities. The amount of remittances is expected to rise sharply in the coming days leading up to the Lunar New Year festival.

In Ho Chi Minh City, overseas remittances reached nearly US$9 billion in 2023, representing a year-on-year increase of 35% and tripling the total amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) capital attracted by the city during the same period. Ho Chi Minh City typically receives more than half of the total remittances in Vietnam.

According to the World Bank, Vietnamese remittances were forecasted to reach US$14 billion in 2023, helping the country maintain a current account surplus. However, the actual amount of remittances may exceed this forecast, considering the data from Ho Chi Minh City.

The increase in remittances is attributed to several factors, including the easing of immigration and health restrictions in some countries, increasing labor exports from Vietnam, and the continued support of overseas Vietnamese for their relatives in Vietnam.

Remittances to Vietnam rise sharply due to global uncertainties. (Illustrative image)

The total amount of remittances to Vietnam from 1993 to the end of 2022 exceeded US$190 billion, nearly equal to the disbursed FDI capital. Vietnamese remittances mainly come from countries such as the US, the UK, Australia, and Canada, as well as major labor export markets like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan (China).

Over the past 10 years, remittances have become an important source of finance for Vietnam, contributing to economic recovery, domestic consumption, private investments, and stable exchange rates. Currently, approximately 6 million Vietnamese expatriates are living in various countries and territories worldwide.

Vietnamese doctors achieve impressive accomplishments in 2023

Vietnamese doctors have achieved significant breakthroughs in various medical techniques and procedures.

1. Preparing new radioactive drugs

In November 2023, Cho Ray Hospital successfully prepared two new radioactive drugs, Ga-68 PSMA for treating prostate cancer and Ga-68 PSMA for treating neuroendocrine tumors. These drugs have been used widely in the US but were not previously available in Vietnam.

2. Setting up a special operating bed for a newborn with heart disease

Surgeons from Hanoi Obstetrics Hospital and Pediatrics Central Hospital designed a special operating room, with a cardiac intervention table placed next to a cesarean section table, to promptly save the life of a newborn baby with severe arrhythmia in the womb. The surgery involved numerous doctors and required significant preparations.

3. Liver transplant

Doctors from the Military Hospital 108 performed a successful liver transplant on a 15-year-old girl suffering from liver cancer. The liver donor was the patient’s grandmother, and despite their different blood types, the surgery was successful.

Photo: VNN

4. Feeding a newborn weighing only 400 grams

Doctors successfully saved the life of a baby girl born prematurely at just 400 grams. The baby received extensive medical care and was able to develop normally.

5. Mastering whole-body radiotherapy techniques for cancer patients

Doctors administered total body radiotherapy to a woman with lymphoma, followed by a stem cell transplant. The patient experienced a successful recovery and returned to daily life.

6. Successful implementation of US surgical techniques in Vietnam

The Central Pediatrics Hospital performed a surgery using an advanced US technique to place electrodes on the cerebral cortex of a 6-year-old child suffering from epilepsy. The surgery was effective, and the child no longer needed to take anti-epileptic drugs.