Vietnam News Headline: Hanoi Seeks Enhanced Ties with Guangdong Province, China

Vice Secretary of Hanoi’s Party Committee, Nguyen Van Phong (L), receives Yuan Gujie, member of the Guangdong provincial Committee, and Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Committee. (Photo: Hanoi delegation)

Hanoi and Guangdong: Strengthening Ties for Urban Development

A delegation from Hanoi, led by Nguyen Van Phong, Vice Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, met with Yuan Gujie, a senior official from Guangdong province. The discussion focused on enhancing cooperation between the two regions.

Phong emphasized the importance Hanoi places on its relationship with China and specifically with Chinese localities like Guangdong. He expressed Hanoi’s desire to learn from Guangdong’s urban development experiences and welcomed investments from Guangdong’s businesses, particularly in capital and technology.

The visit aimed to turn the leaders’ directions into concrete actions and further strengthen the relationship between the two sides.

Yuan expressed confidence in continued collaboration between Guangdong, Vietnam, and Hanoi, achieving greater efficiency based on mutual benefit.

The Hanoi delegation also met with Guo Yonghang, a senior official from Guangzhou, to discuss socio-economic development and strengthen ties with Guangdong, Vietnam’s largest trade partner.

Yonghang affirmed the positive development of cooperation between the two sides, in line with the agreements between the countries’ leaders.

Phong stated Hanoi’s interest in boosting collaboration with Guangdong and Guangzhou, focusing on personnel training, student exchanges, culture, urban development, and digital transformation.

The delegation’s visit also included a course closing ceremony and a seminar on preserving traditional cultural heritage.

Vietnam-Laos Collaboration: Innovating Together

The Vietnam-Laos Committee for Cooperation in Technology and Innovation held its first session in Vientiane, Laos, on May 28.

Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology, Huynh Thanh Dat, and Lao Minister of Technology and Communications, Boviengkham Vongdara, agreed to expand bilateral cooperation in technology and innovation. They discussed diversifying joint efforts to align with the Fourth Industrial Revolution and global trends.

Both sides agreed to consult systematically on technology and innovation management to effectively utilize their potential in this field.

Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology, Huynh Thanh Dat (L), and Lao Minister of Technology and Communications, Boviengkham Vongdara, exchange minutes at the first session of the Vietnam-Laos Committee for Cooperation in Technology and Innovation. (Photo: VNA)

For 2024-2026, they agreed to continue sharing experiences in state management and policy planning, supporting institutional and legal frameworks related to high technology, and promoting innovation and technology transfer. Regular visits and working groups will be exchanged to assess progress and discuss future directions.

Collaboration will extend to various fields, including Industry 4.0 technologies, IT, startups, digital transformation, remote sensing, agriculture, medicine, biotechnology, clean energy, and climate change responses.

Annual training courses on science, technology, and innovation management are planned, along with encouragement for participation in supply-demand connectivity and technology transfer events.

Nha Trang: A Top Global Beach Retirement Destination

Travel experts from Travel+Leisure magazine have named Nha Trang among the world’s top eight beach retirement destinations. Located in Khanh Hoa province, Nha Trang offers beautiful views, mild weather, and a laid-back vibe.

Nha Trang, approximately 250 miles from Ho Chi Minh City, is known for its beautiful beach and a vibrant expat community of about 4,000 people. The city offers a mix of wet and dry seasons, with the latter running from January to August and the monsoon season from September to December.

Photo: VOV

The city also boasts high-quality healthcare, with most retirees opting for private health care coverage. According to Expat Exchange founder Betsy Burlingame, retirees in Nha Trang often choose apartments or condos in the city center, close to amenities and the beach, or opt for quieter residential areas.

Nha Trang is described as a walkable city with reliable public transportation, a vibrant nightlife, delicious cuisine, and abundant recreational opportunities, from parks to hiking and boating.

Nha Trang ranks eighth on the list, which is topped by Carlsbad, a coastal city in California, followed by Beaufort, Falmouth, and Ponte Vedra Beach, all in the US.

Hanoi’s Tourism Booms: A Year-Round Destination

Hanoi’s tourism sector is thriving, with visitor numbers surging. From January to May, the city welcomed 11.55 million visitors, a 14% increase year-on-year. Foreign tourist arrivals surged by 51.9%, while domestic tourists increased by 6.1%.

Tourism revenue exceeded 45.85 trillion VND (1.83 billion USD), a 23% growth from last year. May alone saw 2.37 million travelers, with foreign and domestic arrivals increasing by 46.7% and 10.6%, respectively.

Tourists inside the Hoa Lo Prison relic site, an attraction in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem district. (Photo: VNA)

Notably, Hanoi is experiencing a shift in its peak season for international tourists. While previously, the peak season was from October to April due to favorable weather, this year has seen strong growth in arrivals from the start of summer, indicating success in attracting visitors year-round.

Looking ahead, Hanoi’s tourism sector will focus on enhancing state management, product development, cooperation, market development, digital transformation, and ensuring a safe and friendly environment for visitors.

Ninh Binh Festival: A Cultural Extravaganza

Ninh Binh Tourism Week 2024 is almost here, and this year’s event promises a unique blend of arts, culture, and traditional heritage. The festival, held from June 1 to 8, will showcase the area’s reputation as a World Cultural and Natural Heritage site.

The theme, “The Golden Colour of Tam Coc Trang An,” reflects the beauty of the region. Artists, especially photographers, are invited to capture the stunning natural landscapes, while tourists can enjoy a range of attractions, including art performances, handicraft displays, and a goat fighting contest.

The organizing board aims to promote Ninh Binh’s products and services while affirming its reputation as a safe and attractive destination.

The week will feature an opening ceremony, a walking street, cultural programs such as water puppet shows and traditional opera, and a photography tour titled “Tam Coc Golden Season.”

Photo: vamvo.com

A photo exhibition, “Tam Coc Trang An Golden Season,” will be a highlight, along with cultural programs such as traditional opera, buskers’ singing, and folk songs.

The provincial Literature and Arts Association will display 120 award-winning photographs focusing on the theme of Tam Coc, showcasing the beauty of the region.

A goat-fighting event, hosted by the provincial Farmers’ Association, will also be a unique feature of this year’s festival.

The provincial government has mobilized local businesses and residents to contribute to the event, promoting Ninh Binh’s cultural and historical features, tourism potential, and the outstanding global value of the Trang An World Cultural and Natural Heritage site.

Hai Phong: Embracing Digital Transformation in Logistics

Hai Phong is focusing on digital transformation in the logistics sector to improve efficiency and competitiveness. The city is investing in smart logistics infrastructure and promoting the application of information technology to enhance its position as a key logistics center in the Northern region.

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