Vietnam, Neighbors Strengthen Border Management: Today’s Top Story

Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko shares insights on the situation in Russia.

President Putin to Visit Vietnam: Russian Ambassador

Russian Ambassador to Vietnam, Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko, announced that President Putin will visit Vietnam in the near future. The announcement was made at a recent conference held to discuss Russia’s current situation and cooperation between the two nations.

The event was jointly organized by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), the Russian Embassy in Vietnam, and the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association.

Ambassador Bezdetko confirmed that the Russian President has accepted an invitation to visit Vietnam. While the exact date of the visit has not yet been announced, the ambassador assured that more information will be shared soon.

Vietnam holds a significant position in Russia’s foreign policy, as the two nations share a comprehensive strategic partnership framework.

During the conference, Ambassador Bezdetko presented Russia’s political and diplomatic trends, while the Russian Trade Representative in Vietnam provided insights into the Russian economy and the economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.

The director of the Center for Science and Culture in Hanoi also spoke about the cultural and educational cooperation between Russia and Vietnam.

Earlier, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong invited President Putin to make an official visit to Vietnam, and the invitation was graciously accepted.

Vietnam, Laos, and China Strengthen Border Management Cooperation

On May 15, Vietnam, Laos, and China held a trilateral meeting at their shared border mark. The meeting was attended by representatives from border stations, police departments, and border management authorities of the three countries.

Delegates at the trilateral meeting (Photo: VNA)

The meeting evaluated the coordination efforts in border management, protection, and the prevention of cross-border crimes and illegal immigration. The three countries identified key areas of cooperation and agreed to uphold the legal border and land documents signed by their governments. They also pledged to enhance trilateral collaboration in the future.

The participants shared a common understanding and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to solidify their cooperation.

This meeting was organized based on the agreement for high-level cooperation between the defense and security ministries of the three countries and the minutes signed among their border guard forces.

Vietnam Supports UNESCO’s Role in Global Education Promotion

As a member of the UNESCO Executive Council, Vietnam’s permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, affirmed the country’s support for UNESCO’s role in promoting education worldwide. He made this statement at an ambassador-level session of the Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning held in New York on May 15.

Ambassador Giang also commended the group’s efforts in advancing commitments and initiatives related to education.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the UN (first from right) at the meeting.

He suggested organizing activities between the group and UN member countries to facilitate dialogues and the sharing of information, initiatives, and experiences in the field of education.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammad emphasized the need to focus on financing education and ensuring rights for teachers, while also optimizing digital transformation in this sector.

The Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning was launched in 2019 and has since been advocating for global commitments to education. They contribute to intergovernmental processes and organize high-level and expert-level meetings to promote education worldwide.

Vietnam Experiences Significant Growth in Taiwanese Tourists

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, approximately 418,000 tourists from Taiwan visited Vietnam in the first four months of 2024, marking an impressive growth of 116.3%. Taiwan ranked third among the top 10 sources of foreign travelers to Vietnam during this period.

Taiwanese businesses shared that Vietnam is a top choice for their countrymen, with 45% visiting central regions like Hue, Hoi An, and Da Nang, 40% opting for the north, and 15% choosing the south.

The central region, in particular, is experiencing a boom in Taiwanese tourists thanks to the variety of air routes and short flight times offered by Taiwanese carriers.

Foreign visitors in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (Photo: laodong.vn)

Da Nang International Airport currently serves multiple direct flights from different cities in Taiwan, contributing to the convenience and accessibility of travel between the two regions.

Le Phuoc Khanh, General Director of the EMM hotel chain, noted that Hue city experienced a significant increase in Taiwanese visitors last year, positively impacting hotel occupancy rates and tourism revenue in the region.

The number of Taiwanese tourists is expected to remain high in Hoi An and Da Nang in 2024, further strengthening the tourism industry in these cities.

Tourism associations and businesses in Taiwan and Vietnam have been working closely together to attract more visitors and aim to reach an annual exchange of 2 million visitors in the near future.

CNN Praises Vietnam’s Luxury Train Route

CNN Travel has published an article praising a new luxury train route connecting Nha Trang City in Khanh Hoa province and Quy Nhon city in Binh Dinh province. The article highlights the unique travel experience offered by Anantara, a luxury hospitality brand, with a five-hour journey through southern Vietnam.

This is the second luxury train route launched by Anantara in Vietnam, following the success of “The Vietage by Anantara” in 2020, which offered a six-hour journey between Da Nang and Quy Nhon.

According to Kate Jones, head of PR and marketing for Anantara in Vietnam, the new route aims to showcase more of the country’s beautiful scenery and provide travelers with a unique and memorable experience.

The Quy Nhon-Nha Trang route offers a leisurely journey with complimentary afternoon tea. (Photo: Anantara)

The new train carriage is attached to the national state-run commercial railway and offers a slower pace of travel, allowing guests to enjoy the coastal views and local delicacies. The train reaches an average speed of 51.9 km/h (32.2 mph), providing a relaxed and enjoyable journey.

Guests on the Quy Nhon-Nha Trang route are treated to a complimentary afternoon tea set featuring local caviar, artisanal cheeses, cold cuts, and premium Vietnamese teas. Meanwhile, passengers on the Da Nang-Quy Nhon route indulge in a pre-ordered three-course gourmet meal.

Both routes offer complimentary snacks, beverages, and a 15-minute head and shoulder treatment, ensuring a comfortable and luxurious travel experience.

The Vietage carriage is designed with a sit-up bar, restroom facilities, and private booths for two passengers each. These booths are equipped with power outlets, charging stations, free Wi-Fi, and amenity baskets to enhance the comfort and convenience of the journey.

The one-way journey on the Vietage costs US$420 per person, offering a unique and indulgent way to explore Vietnam.