Vietnam’s Post-Pandemic Renaissance: Reigniting Economic Growth

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man receives a warm welcome at Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Visits Russia Officially

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, accompanied by a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, touched down at Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport on the afternoon of September 8 (local time), marking the commencement of a three-day official visit to Russia. During his visit, he will co-chair the third session of the Vietnam-Russia Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee.

The delegation was greeted at the airport by Ivan Ivanovich Melnikov, First Vice Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation; Dang Minh Khoi, Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia; staff members from the Vietnamese Embassy; and representatives from the vibrant Vietnamese community in Russia.

This visit, the first undertaken by Chairman Man in his current capacity and the first by a prominent Vietnamese leader this year, comes on the heels of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s trip to Vietnam in June. It aims to build upon the Joint Statement on enhancing the comprehensive strategic partnership, marking 30 years since the signing of the Treaty on Principles of Friendly Relations between Vietnam and Russia. The visit is intended to bolster the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, particularly the close ties between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the State Duma and the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia.

The visit also seeks to actualize the cooperation agreements reached during the telephone conversation between Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and President Vladimir Putin on August 8, as cited by VNA.

Chairman Man is scheduled to hold discussions with Vyacheslav Victorovich Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation. The two leaders will also co-chair the third session of the Vietnam-Russia Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee.

Additionally, the top Vietnamese legislator will hold talks with Valentina Matviyenko, Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, and sign a new cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Federation Council.

His itinerary includes meetings with high-ranking Russian state leaders and prominent political parties. He will also meet with leaders from Russian regions that share cooperative ties with Vietnam, representatives from the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association, and veterans who served in Vietnam.

Post-Typhoon Yagi Floodwaters Menace Mountainous Regions

Despite the dissipation of Typhoon Yagi, relentless heavy rainfall has caused floodwaters to rise rapidly in mountainous areas of northern Vietnam.

Within a 24-hour period, Yagi unleashed more than 100mm of rain on Yen Bai province, with certain highland communes such as Lang Nhi, Ta Si Lang, and Phinh Ho recording over 300mm of rainfall.

In Ban Mu commune, located in Tram Tau district, floodwaters rose swiftly, inundating numerous homes up to their rooftops. Fortunately, residents were able to evacuate to safety in a timely manner.

The combination of heavy rain and flooding triggered landslides, severing multiple transportation routes and endangering the lives of residents in the affected areas.

In Van Chan district, the deluge washed away the floating bridge connecting Da Den and Khe Trau villages, leaving 30 households isolated, as reported by VOV.

Floodwaters rose swiftly in Ban Mu commune, Tram Tau district, inundating homes up to the rooftops. (Photo: VTC)

Local authorities have proactively installed warning signs and advised residents to refrain from traveling on the impacted roads.

Thus far, Yagi has inflicted significant damage on Yen Bai province, affecting 493 houses, damaging over 600 hectares of crops, and triggering severe landslides that have disrupted transportation routes.

Concurrently, rising floodwaters caused by the relentless downpours have isolated villages in Bac Son and Chi Lang districts of Lang Son province. Landslides have also occurred on sections of roads leading to Van Quan District.

The central meteorological agency has issued warnings about the elevated risk of flooding in rivers and streams, as well as the potential for flash floods and landslides in mountainous areas of Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, and Hoa Binh in the coming days.

Vietnam Recaptures Pre-Pandemic Economic Growth Momentum

Vietnam has successfully recaptured its pre-pandemic economic growth momentum, as evidenced by a multitude of positive indicators across various sectors, according to Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong.

Speaking at the Cabinet meeting on Saturday, Deputy Minister Tran highlighted the praise bestowed by international organizations and businesses on Vietnam’s encouraging economic performance during the first eight months of 2024.

He underscored the stability of the macroeconomy, the successful management of inflation, and the fact that public investment remained far below the limits set by the National Assembly.

Budget revenue witnessed a substantial increase of 17.8 percent, while trade with the rest of the world grew by 16.7 percent compared to the same period last year, as cited by VGP.

Industrial production expanded by 9.5 percent in August and continued its upward trajectory with an 8.6 percent growth rate for the January-August period.

Foreign investment inflows reached a notable US$20.5 billion, reflecting a 7 percent year-on-year increase, while the disbursed volume rose by 8 percent to approximately US$14.15 billion.

The Vietnamese government has set its sights on elevating the GDP growth rate to 6.5 percent in 2024, marking a significant improvement from the 5.05 percent achieved last year.

Lang Son Geopark Earns UNESCO Global Geopark Recognition

Lang Son Geopark in Vietnam has been officially recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, a decision that was made following a vote on September 8.

According to the Lang Son provincial administration, a delegation of experts from UNESCO conducted a thorough field assessment of Lang Son Geopark in July 2024, visiting 26 out of the 38 attractions across four tourism routes within the Geopark.

To ensure a comprehensive evaluation, the Global Geoparks Council meticulously assessed the geological features, conservation efforts, and local engagement of Lang Son Geopark before bestowing upon it the prestigious UNESCO Global Geopark status.

Local authorities have expressed that this recognition enables Lang Son to concentrate its resources on effectively managing, preserving, and promoting the value of its geological heritage, cultural heritage, historical and archaeological sites, biodiversity, and unique scenic landscapes.

It is anticipated that Lang Son Geopark will be officially designated as a UNESCO Global Geopark in Chile next year, as reported by VOV.

The breathtaking Bac Son Valley nestled within the Lang Son Geopark area. (Photo: UNESCO Global Geoparks)

Spanning 4,842 square kilometers across eight district-level localities, Lang Son Geopark stands as one of the largest of its kind in Vietnam and boasts a plethora of unique values.

From a geological, geomorphological, and landscape perspective, the park is a treasure trove of paleontological fossils dating back as far as 500 million years, many of which indicate that this province was once submerged underwater. Additionally, the park is adorned with renowned landscapes, including low mountain ranges encircling valleys and villages in Yen Thinh Commune of Huu Lung District, as well as prehistoric caves like Tham Khuyen in Binh Gia District.

In terms of cultural values, the park is home to temples dedicated to the Mother Goddess worship, recognized as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, notably Bac Le Temple. It also encompasses villages of the Tay and Nung ethnic groups, each with their distinct cultures.

The locality has meticulously developed four routes encompassing 38 tourist attractions within the geopark. Local authorities are committed to raising public awareness of the park’s invaluable assets, while also implementing protective measures and leveraging its unique qualities for tourism development.

Hanoi Autumn Festival Promises to Bring Tourist Attractions to Life

The 2024 Hanoi Autumn Festival, taking place from September 12 to 15, is poised to captivate revelers with a diverse range of activities and attractions.

This festival forms a pivotal part of the celebrations commemorating the 70th anniversary of Hanoi’s Liberation Day (October 10), as emphasized by Nguyen Tran Quang, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA), on September 5.

Festival-goers will be transported back in time through immersive displays and reenactments, and they will also get to indulge in Hanoi’s iconic delicacies, such as ‘com’, or young green rice flakes, the fragrant lotus-scented tea, and the ever-popular “banh mi”. The festival will also showcase a variety of artistic performances.

Nguyen Huu Viet, head of the HPA’s Tourism Promotion Department, revealed that the opening ceremony is scheduled for September 13 at the flower garden near Ba Kieu Temple in Hoan Kiem district, accompanied by a special artistic program, as reported by VNA.

A captivating dragon dance performance at the 2023 Hanoi Autumn Festival. (Photo: VNA)

The festival itinerary includes excursions to some of Hanoi’s most captivating tourist destinations, as well as a seminar at the UNESCO-recognized Thang Long Imperial Citadel on September 12.

Fashion shows, a special program commemorating the Mid-Autumn Festival, street art performances at Hoan Kiem’s pedestrian space reenacting the joyous atmosphere of welcoming the victorious army, traditional dances, and handicrafts will all add to the festive ambiance.

The Hanoi Autumn Festival is designed to showcase the city’s allure, culture, and tourism offerings to both domestic and international audiences, while also raising awareness about the importance of cultural preservation, thereby contributing to the overall socio-economic development of the city, as articulated by Quang.

Notably, 15 cities and provinces, along with numerous travel companies and lodging establishments in Hanoi, have registered their participation to showcase their diverse products and services during the festival.

The inaugural edition of the festival in 2023 attracted approximately 80,000 visitors.