Covid-19 vaccination. Photo: VNA

Number of COVID-19 Cases in Vietnam Increases to 242 on November 13

According to the Ministry of Health, Vietnam reported 242 new cases of Covid-19 on November 13.

The new cases have contributed to the country’s overall infection count, which now stands at 11,508,689.

On the same day, 70 patients were declared free from the disease, bringing the total number of recoveries to 10,605,937.

According to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), the death toll remained at 43,166, representing 0.4% of the total number of infections.

As of now, a staggering total of over 262.63 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been successfully administered within the country.

Russia and Vietnam Reaffirm Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Vietnam values its comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia and is committed to enhancing mutually advantageous cooperation in various sectors.

During a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 12, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son emphasized the importance of their discussions, which took place during the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.

In response, Lavrov expressed that Russia consistently considers Vietnam as a significant partner in the region, emphasizing his desire for Vietnam to continue facilitating Russia’s growth of relationships with other ASEAN member countries.

The two ministers expressed their satisfaction at the enduring nature of the Vietnam-Russia political relationship, which has been upheld through various conversations and meetings across different channels.

According to VOV, it has been agreed upon to promptly arrange the 24th meeting of the Vietnam-Russia Intergovernmental Committee on economic, trade, and scientific-technical cooperation. The main objective of this meeting is to establish collaboration strategies for the future.

At the meeting between Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. Photo: VOV

Both sides agreed on the importance of maintaining a strong coordination between the two foreign ministries in order to effectively implement the agreements made by high-ranking officials from Vietnam and Russia. It was also emphasized that there is a need to strengthen the ties between the two ministries, particularly in the execution of their cooperation plan.

As an engaged and responsible member of the international community, Vietnam is committed to assisting in the promotion of dialogue and the pursuit of solutions to expeditiously stabilize the situation in Ukraine.

Vietnamese and Japanese Prime Ministers Pledge to Strengthen Bilateral Relations

During a meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 13, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio agreed to uphold the exchange of delegations and strengthen bilateral relations across various sectors. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.

Moreover, both parties have reached an agreement to closely collaborate on organizing events and activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in the year 2023.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) and his Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio. Photo: VNA

PM Chinh has proposed that Japan continue its support for Vietnam in the development of renewable energy. He also urged Japan to promptly provide new-generation official development assistance (ODA) and collaborate with Vietnam in addressing climate change. Additionally, PM Chinh requested that Japan create favorable conditions for Vietnam to access the 10 billion USD aid committed by PM Kishida at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 26).

He also expressed his hope that the Japanese Government will implement supportive policies for the community of over 400,000 Vietnamese residents in Japan, including initiatives to assist with human resource training and facilitate visa issuance for Vietnamese citizens.

Prime Minister Kishida expressed his acknowledgement of Vietnam’s key role in Japan’s regional foreign policy and further conveyed Japan’s plans to offer advanced ODA to support Vietnam’s socio-economic development, industrialization, modernization, and green transformation.

Prime Minister Kishida has expressed his commitment to enhancing collaboration in facilitating the export of agricultural products between our two countries. It has been officially announced that Japan will open its market for Vietnamese longan in November, as reported by VNA.

The two Prime Ministers engaged in discussion regarding the South China Sea matter as well as other regional and international concerns of mutual interest. They reached an agreement to closely collaborate in various multilateral cooperation mechanisms, including ASEAN, Mekong sub-region, the United Nations, and events commemorating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between ASEAN and Japan in the coming year.

Tam Dao and Moc Chau in Vietnam Receive Global Recognition at World Travel Awards

Vietnam’s Tam Dao Town and Moc Chau District were recognized and celebrated at the prestigious 29th World Travel Awards ceremony, which took place in Oman on November 11th.

Tam Dao Town in the province of Vinh Phuc, located in the northern mountains, has been honored with the prestigious title of the world’s leading town destination. This remarkable achievement catapults Tam Dao above globally renowned destinations such as Hana in Hawaii, United States, and Shirakawa-go in Gifu, Japan. Additionally, five other towns from Czech Republic, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Nepal, United States, and New Zealand were nominated for this esteemed category.

According to NDO, Tam Dao Town is situated in Vinh Phuc Province, on the scenic Tam Dao Mountain range, at an elevation of over 1,000 meters above sea level. Renowned for its stunning natural beauty, Tam Dao Town is considered one of the most captivating destinations in northern Vietnam.

Tam Dao Town offers a diverse range of tourist attractions, including historical sites, cultural landmarks, spiritual destinations, adventurous discovery opportunities, ecological wonders, and luxurious resorts. As a result, it has become an appealing destination on both the domestic and international tourist maps of Vietnam.

The representative of Vinh Phuc Province received the World Travel Awards. Source: baovinhphuc.vn

Tam Dao is currently experiencing significant investment and continuous improvement in its service infrastructure, solidifying its status as a vital national tourist destination. This development further highlights the exceptional and distinctive value that Tam Dao offers.

Moc Chau District, located in Son La Province, was recently recognized as the World’s Leading Regional Nature Destination.

Becoming the world’s leading regional nature destination is not just an honor, but also a significant milestone for Moc Chau. It allows us to further develop and showcase our natural and cultural heritage.

As an added advantage, this event also presents the perfect opportunity to showcase the captivating allure of Moc Chau, Vietnam to an extensive global audience, courtesy of renowned international press agencies.

The annual awards are determined by votes received from travel industry professionals and the general public.

The prestigious World Travel Awards, which were first introduced in 1993, have been created to recognize and celebrate outstanding achievement in the global tourism industry. Often referred to as the “Oscars of the travel industry,” these awards represent the highest standard of excellence.

2023 Son Doong Tours Booked Most by Americans and Vietnamese

According to Oxalis, a travel agency, Vietnamese and American tourists account for nearly 80% of bookings for tours to Son Doong, the world’s largest cave, scheduled for the upcoming year.

According to Oxalis, the exclusive provider of Son Doong expeditions, a total of 900 visitors have already booked for their tours. It is notable that 40% of these bookings, equivalent to 360 visitors, are from Vietnam.

A campsite inside Son Doong Cave, Quang Binh. Photo: Shutterstock

According to the data, American citizens made the highest number of bookings with 330, while Australians and Singaporeans tied for second place with 45 bookings each.

According to a report by VOV, a total of 1,000 individuals participated in the Son Doong tours this year, out of which 91 were foreigners.

The Son Doong cave, located within the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in Quang Binh province, central Vietnam, has gained widespread international recognition since its inception as a tourist destination in 2013.

The provincial authorities have implemented specific regulations for visiting the cave. Tours are only allowed between January and August, ensuring that the cave’s ecosystem has time to recover during the other months. Additionally, visitor numbers are strictly limited to 1,000 per year.

The cost for a four-day, three-night expedition of Son Doong Cave is approximately US$3,000, a price that remains unchanged from pre-pandemic rates and will continue to be so in 2023.