Day: April 2, 2022

An exhibition of traditional musical instruments of Vietnamese ethnic groups will take place both online and offline at the Can Tho Museum in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho from April 7-11, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The event will be jointly organised by the Museum of Cultures of Vietnam’s Ethnic Groups and the Vietnam Arts and Culture Exhibition Centre as part of the third National “Don Ca Tai Tu” Festival – Can Tho 2022.

On display will be 100 musical instruments, relevant documents and the images of artisans performing them.

The exhibition aims to introduce richness, diversity and uniqueness of musical instruments of ethnic groups across the nation.

Through the event, organisers hope to honour the national cultural identity; and promote Vietnam’s art forms that were recognised by UNESCO as world cultural heritages in general, and the art of Don ca tai tu in particular.

Visitors can also visit the event virtually on the websites http://trienlamvhnt.vn and http://sovhttdl.cantho.gov.vn from April 9 – May 30.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue chaired a meeting with leaders of Ben Tre in Hanoi on April 1, listening to reports and giving his opinions on proposals and recommendations regarding the Mekong Delta province’s key projects according to criteria and requirements of the socio-economic development and recovery programme.

Per a report presented at the function, Ben Tre hopes to gain access to official development assistance (ODA) to fund the development of a coastal economic corridor that links Ho Chi Minh City to localities in the delta.

The province also sought permission for the pilot implementation of sea encroachment projects in some local coastal areas in order to effectively exploit the potential of marine economy, prevent landslides, and create more development areas, in line with its orientation to build a sea economic zone across its three coastal districts.

Ben Tre also proposed that the central government allocate capital from the socio-economic development and recovery programme to its five transport projects. Besides, the province asked for further assistance in digital transformation, and conservation of special national relic sites, among other works.

The NA leader agreed to the proposal on the coastal economic corridors and requested the province coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and other localities in the region.

He also suggested Ben Tre study the possibility of working with other Mekong Delta localities in fighting coastal erosion and creating new development space by sea encroachment project, noting that the NA and its Standing Committee are ready to assist the work if necessary.

He asked ministries and competent agencies involved to handle the province’s proposals in line with regulations, and support Ben Tre in its digital transition progress, human resources training, and social welfare.

The NA leader reminded the province to focus its efforts on long-term planning in line with the law./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese Ambassador to Slovakia Nguyen Tuan on April 1 received a delegation of the Slovak National Council, led by Chairman of its Economic Affairs Committee Peter Kremsky, to discuss economic cooperation between the two countries in the time to come.

At the meeting, the Vietnamese diplomat expressed his hope that the Slovak parliament, government, and competent agencies will support collaboration activities between the countries and that the Slovak National Council will soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

For his part, Kremsky said the relations between his nation and Vietnam – which he considers a nation with importance regional role and having strengths in terms of natural and human resources – are yet to be on par with the sides’ potential.

Highlighting Slovakia’s consulting, construction and operation experience in the field of thermal power, hydroelectricity, and nuclear power, he stated his nation wants to cooperate with Vietnam in these sectors and welcomes Vietnamese investors.

The official informed that due to the impact of the current conflict in Ukraine, Slovakia is looking for alternative energy sources to reduce dependence on Russian energy sources.

He mentioned Vietnamese automaker VinFast, which has recently invested in building an electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing factory in North America, and suggested that Vinfast consider Slovakia as its next investment destination, as Slovakia is a car production hub in Europe.

Kremsky said he is willing to collaborate with and assist Vietnamese investors in administration procedures./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese Ambassador to Andorra Dinh Toan Thang presented his credentials to the Co-Prince of Andorra, Archbishop Joan-Enric Vives i Sicília, at the Episcopal Palace in La Seu d’Urgell, Spain, on April 1.

Speaking at the reception following the presentation, Ambassador Thang pledged to make contributions to strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnam wishes to maintain and expand cooperation with Andorra through mutual support at multilateral forums, exchange of delegations at all levels and promotion of cooperation in various fields such as green economy, digital transformation, and tourism development, Thang said.

He suggested that Vietnam and Andorra coordinate in organising activities to mark 15 years of the diplomatic relationship between the two countries.

The Co-Prince of Andorra spoke highly of Vietnam’s position in the region and the world, as well as its socio-economic development achievements. He said he was impressed by what Vietnam has achieved in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

He shared the view that the two countries have great potential for cooperation, so they should increase contact and discussion on cooperation possibilities, while continuing to coordinate and support each other at international forums such as the UN, the Francophone and other organisations.

Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang also had a meeting with Andorra Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Ubach Font on March 31, during which the two sides agreed to strengthen exchanges between the two countries to better tap the potential for stronger cooperation, such as in the new economic-trade cooperation framework between Vietnam and the European Union like the EVFTA, or new economic cooperative chances in the French speaking countries community (Francophone).

During his visit to Andorra, Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang also had meetings with leaders of the Andorra Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services and the Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Andorra to discuss orientations and measures to increase cooperation between the two countries in the fields of trade, investment, tourism and culture./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Frost appeared on the Fansipan peak early April 2 as temperature dropped below zero degree C despite the fact that it is already mid-spring now.

A thick layer of frost was seen on trees and flowers, creating a spectacular sight, attracting many visitors.

This is the second time the Fansipan peak has been covered by frost in the 2021 winter.

Temperature is forecast to remain low on early April 3, and frost is likely to remain on the mountain./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

An estimated 18 million international tourists visited Vietnam in 2019, but their spending in the country remained low, which is a challenge to the tourism sector. Night-time services and products could be the key answer to the issue.

According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), night tourism products and services are quite bustling in a number of cities and tourist hubs like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hoi An, Sapa, and Hue. They take place in the forms of walking streets, shopping malls, night food, night markets, bars, cafes, cinemas, discos, and other art and entertainment events on and off the street.

These activities keep tourists to stay longer and stimulate consumer demand, which in turn will attract more investors to pour their capital in entertainment and shopping facilities. Meanwhile, travel agencies will have plans to offer longer tours, and longer stays mean more money spent.

In July 2020, the Prime Minister approved a project on the development of nigh economy serving the promotion of domestic consumption and tourism. It focuses on developing cultural services, entertainment, dining, shopping, and tourism activities taking place from 6pm to 6am the next day.

Specifically, by 2025, Vietnam will form a system of night tourism products in large urban tourist centres like Hanoi, Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thua Thien-Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Can Tho, Phu Quoc, and Ho Chi Minh City. As a result, the average spending of visitors are expected to increase by 5-6 percent; while the average length of their stay will be half a day longer.

Currently, many localities in the central region have embarked on building and developing night tourism products to better meet the needs of holiday makers.

Quang Binh is building its evening sightseeing tour by electric cars and a night market street in Dong Hoi city as well as night leisure services at the Phong Nha –Ke Bang area. Thua Thien-Hue province’s Hue city, meanwhile, is ready to launch a night walking street around its imperial citadel area. Quang Nam province, which considers night tourism services a path toward the realisation of sustainable tourism development goals, focuses on activities in the local Hoi An ancient town, and at the Vinpearl Nam Hoi An complex, Hoi An Impression Theme Park, and Hoi An Lune Centre./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai signed a decision on April 1, approving the addition of 449 billion VND (19.66 million USD) to the organisation budget of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).

The sum is sourced from the central budget’s spending on physical training and sports for 2022.

Of the fund, 378.3 billion VND will be provided to four ministries and central agencies; and 70.7 billion VND to Hanoi city and 11 provinces and centrally-run cities.

SEA Games 31, themed “For a Stronger South East Asia”, will run in Hanoi and 11 neighbouring localities from May 12 to 23. Featuring 40 sports with 526 events, it is expect to attract around 10,000 participants. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but delayed due to the pandemic’s impact./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam’s accession to the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty (WPPT) and implementation of the pact is expected to encourage the development of the local cultural industry, Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, WTO and other international organisations in Geneva said.

In her statement at a ceremony on April 1 to hand over Vietnam’s signed treaty document to Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Daren Tang in the Swiss city, the ambassador said the treaty will especially promote the cinema and performing activities in contribution to Vietnam’s socio-economic growth.

The WPPT deals with the rights of performers and producers of phonograms, particularly in the digital environment.

Tang, for his part, congratulated Vietnam on joining the WPPT, emphasising that the accession is a testament to Vietnam’s strong response to its commitments to the global intellectual property system, while help strengthening the protection of the related rights.

The joining is expected to also lead to increased employment and opportunities for the nation’s creative industry, he added.

On the sidelines of the event, Ambassador Mai had a meeting with Tang and two WIPO deputy directors general Sylvie Forbin and Hasan Kleib to discuss the implementation of cooperation contents agreed between Vietnam and WIPO during the working visit of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc to the organisation in November 2021. The WIPO leaders pledged to work closely with Vietnamese competent agencies to quickly and successfully conduct the contents./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency