Vietnam welcomed nearly 5.6 million international visitors in the first half of this year, accounting for 66% of the figure the country recorded in 2019 before the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, reported Vietnam News Agency according to Vietnam National Authority of Tourism – the new name of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism from July 1.

Regarding the level of recovery compared to before the pandemic, five markets saw growth including Cambodia (338%), India (236%), Laos (117%), Thailand (108.4%), and Singapore (107.4%).

Two markets with the growth close to their 2019 levels were the US (95%) and Australia (92%). In addition, the number of visitors to Vietnam from the Republic of Korea (RoK), the UK, Germany, and France all increased positively. However, the Chinese market only recovered 22.4% because China reopened group tours to Vietnam from March 15 this year.

The RoK remained the largest market of the Vietnamese tourism in the first half of 2023 with 1.6 million tourist arrivals, accounting for 28% of total international visitors to Vietnam. It was followed by China and the US.

Among the top ten markets of Vietnam tourism, four were in Northeast Asia – the RoK, China, Taiwan (China) and Japan, and three in Southeast Asia – Thailand, Malaysia, and Cambodia. Australia and India ranked ninth and tenth.

The UK, France, and Germany were the three biggest markets for Vietnam tourism in Europe. In addition, Vietnam attracted 62,000 Russian tourists in the reviewed period.

In 2023, Vietnam aims to welcome 110 million tourists including 8 million international visitors. The country expects to earn about 650 trillion VND (27.56 billion USD) from tourism.

Japan-style bridge inaugurated in Da Nang city

Mikazuki Group and authorities of Da Nang city on July 1 inaugurated a pedestrian bridge as part of celebrations for the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations (1973-2023), reported Vietnam News Agency.

Odaka Yoshimune, Chairman of the Mikazuki Group, said the overpass connects Da Nang Mikazuki entertainment complex and a beach across Nguyen Tat Thanh street. The bridge will allow local people and visitors to safely reach the beach and enjoy the beautiful landscape of the locality.

With a total investment of 42 billion VND (nearly 1.8 million USD ), the bridge is nearly 13 metres tall and over 140 metres long, with a floor area of approximately 655 sq.m. The pathway leading up to the bridge is designed as a knot in the art of Japanese weaving, symbolising the strong bond between the Vietnamese and Japanese cultures.

The structure’s shape is inspired by ocean waves, creating a sense of lightness, tranquility, and integration with the surrounding landscape. On the outside, two observation decks are complemented by spiral steel staircases and elevators, providing easy access for people with disabilities to cross the bridge.

According to the chairman, after one year of operation, the complex has welcomed more than 490,000 guests to stay at the hotel, play at the water park and enjoy events and wedding services. The Da Nang Mikazuki Japanese Resorts & Spa has gradually become a favorite destination for both domestic and foreign holiday-makers, helping the local tourism sector recover and develop faster.

Currently, Japan is the leading foreign investor in the number of FDI projects in Da Nang with 222 projects and total investment capital of more than 1 billion USD.

The city has planned several programmes through out this year to mark the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations, including meetings, cultural exchanges, festivals, Japanese film festival, investment and trade cooperation promotion conferences, among others.

Thua Thien-Hue: Over 1,000 people participate in 9th International Yoga Day

More than 1,000 people took part in a mass yoga performance in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on July 2 to mark the 9th International Day of Yoga, reported Vietnam News Agency.

The event, the biggest of its kind in the province so far, was jointly held at Ngo Mon Square in the former imperial city of Hue by the Indian Embassy in Vietnam and Bao Viet Insurance Corporation.

Monica Sharma, Director of the Indian Embassy’s Swami Vivekananda Culture Centre, emphasised that yoga contributes to creating harmony between the body, mind, and spirit, and promoting overall well-being.

Phan Thanh Hai, Director of the provincial Department of Culture and Sports, said this was not only a sporting event but also aimed to spread the spirit of living happily, healthily, and positively, thus making people’s lives more vibrant.

In the future, the department will continue to collaborate with the embassy and relevant parties to further promote the development of the Yoga movement.

On the occasion, the Bao Viet Insurance Corporation presented 40 bicycles to diligent students in the locality, aiming to encourage them to continue their efforts to overcome difficult circumstances and pursue a brighter future.

Agro-forestry-aquatic product exports likely to post positive growth from Q4

The export turnover of agro-forestry-aquatic products in the third quarter of 2023 is expected to be equivalent to the figure in the same period last year, and is likely to see positive growth in the fourth quarter, Vietnam News Agency quoted Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Phung Duc Tien saying that.

He said the export value in the first five months of this year was estimated at 20.26 billion USD and is likely to reach 55 billion USD for the whole year.

Thanks to drastic actions since the end of 2022, agro-forestry-aquaculture production remains stable despite various challenges such as high input costs, climate change-induced drought and saltwater intrusion.

Apart from ensuring food security and safety and contributing to macro-economic stability and significant balances of the economy, Vietnam exported nearly 3.9 million tonnes of rice valued at 2.02 billion USD, up 40.8% in volume and 49% in value year-on-year.

Due to changes in the global demand, there has been a significant decline in the exports of shrimp, tra fish, wood and wooden products, Tien said.

According to the Deputy Minister, the sector will push trade promotions with each industry and market, especially in traditional and potential markets such as the US, China, Japan and the European Union. Efforts will also be made to diversify exports via official channels to many markets through negotiations.

To achieve the targets set for 2023, the sector will continue working with localities to pilot measures against IUU fishing. All stages, from breeding, cultivation, care, veterinary disease prevention, to processing and packaging, must be streamlined to enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese agricultural products, he said./.

Source: dangcongsan.vn