Day: January 10, 2023

UNESCO Representative in Vietnam Christian Manhart recognised efforts by authorities of central Thanh Hoa province and experts to study and excavate the Citadel of the Ho Dynasty, while meeting with the preservation centre for this world cultural heritage site on January 9.

He recommended the centre continue documenting the study and excavation of the site, located in Vinh Loc district, and apply non-invasive scanning technique to improve excavation effectiveness.

Manhart said the Citadel of the Ho Dynasty (1400 – 1407) holds architectural and landscape values that were the greatest and most unique of its kind in East Asia and Southeast Asia in the late 14th and early 15th centuries. Assoc. Prof. and Dr Tong Trung Tin, Chairman of the Vietnam Archaeology Association, said since 2020, archaeologists and scientists have conducted relatively large excavations of the citadel. Notably, a dig on 25,000 sq.m. in the inner part of the citadel discovered four clusters of vestiges dating back to the Tran (1225 – 1400) – Ho dynasties, two to the Le So Dynasty (1428 – 1527), and one to the Le Trung Hung Dynasty (1533 – 1789).

These are important evidences of the integrity, authenticity, and globally outstanding values of the citadel, he noted, adding that the archaeological findings will be a trustworthy source for restoring part of the heritage.

They also demonstrate local authorities and people’s efforts to implement the International Council on Monuments and Sites’ recommendations about heritage value preservation and promotion as in line with the 1972 UNESCO World Heritage Convention, Tin added.

The same day, Director of the Thanh Hoa provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Pham Nguyen Hong had a working session with UNESCO Representative Christian Manhart, calling for the UNESCO Office’s assistance for the preservation and promotion of the citadel’s values./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Working delegations of the Military Command of Dak Nong and the military sub-area of the Cambodian province of Mondulkiri held their 6th talks in the Vietnamese province on January 9.

As heard at the talks, the situation of political security and social safety along their shared borderline was well maintained last year. After the COVID-19 pandemic was put under control, their bilateral trade has been resumed, while the solidarity, friendship and collaboration between their authorities, armed forces and people were increasingly reinforced.

Based on such outcomes, they agreed to strengthen their coordination in educating the armed forces and people on the two countries’ traditional ties this year.

They said they will further cooperate in protecting an environment of peace and stability for national development in the two countries.

At the function, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the sides was signed, covering seven spheres.

Located to the south of the Central Highlands region, Dak Nong shares a 141km border section with Mondulkiri.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Dr. Kao Kim Hourn has affirmed six key priorities of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as he officially took office as the new Secretary-General in Jakarta on January 9.

At the ceremony, the ASEAN chief, who was appointed at he 40th ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh last November, said the priorities, dubbed the ‘Six Ps’, include maintaining PEACE, stability and security in the region; and building on PROSPERITY that ASEAN, both collectively and individually, has achieved up to now.

He said it is also necessary to focus on the PLANET, especially the environment, climate change and the green economy, which has gained great momentums in recent years; and to empower the PEOPLE, especially the youths, through the further strengthening of the ASEAN Community building, ASEAN integration and the people- to-people ties.

The fifth and sixth priorities are to enhance PARTNERSHIPS within ASEAN as well as between ASEAN and its external partners; and to transform the remaining various areas of the bloc’s POTENTIALS into real benefits and advantages, he noted.

Addressing the ceremony, former Secretary-General Dato Lim Jock Hoi stressed ASEAN’s achievements over the past five years, particularly the signing and entry into force of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and efforts for post-pandemic recovery via improving the region’s health systems and human capital development.

According to him, the bloc has invested in its youth and future leaders, as well as enhanced the region’s digital transformation through the implementation of the Bandar Seri Begawan Roadmap and the Consolidated Strategies for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which will position ASEAN to be future ready.

ASEAN has also undertaken several measures in further enhancing the region’s capacity and preparedness in responding to the possibility of future emergencies and disasters, as well as in pursuing sustainable development, green technology and energy transition reflected in the adoption of the Framework for Circular Economy for the ASEAN Economic Community.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam tops the list of the must-visit countries for a vacation in 2023, which was shared by Managing Director of Southern Travels of India Alapati Krishna Mohan.

According to Mohan, Vietnam is a popular destination for tourists and one of the more affordable nations to visit from India. Visitors will surely experience a feeling of satisfaction on their visit to Vietnam thanks to the Southeast Asian country’s tremendous natural beauty, culture, and history.

Adventure activities like sightseeing, boat or yacht cruises, market tours, caving, cultural tours, island tours, and wildlife tours are popular among tourists, he noted.

Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Sapa, NhaTrang, the Mekong Delta region, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay are only a few of the must-see locations in Vietnam, Mohan said.

Cambodia ranks second in the list with its historical heritage, magnificent temples, unique cuisine, beautiful beaches and islands, hospitable people and bustling nightlife.

Spain holds the third place for its breathtaking natural attractions and scenery.

Greece, South Africa, Hua Hin of Thailand, and Iceland are also included in the list.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) on January 10 reported that its after-tax profit in 2022 reached over 6.83 trillion VND (291.5 million USD), 91% higher than the yearly plan.

Addressing a working session on January 10 to review business and production activities of SCIC and deploy its tasks in 2023, Chairman of the SCIC Members’ Council Nguyen Chi Thanh said the corporation’s capital business and investment activities faced many difficulties amid the risk of inflation, and the strong fluctuation of the stock and real estate markets.

However, SCIC strived to surpass the business plan set for 2022 and recorded positive results in all aspects of its operations, Thanh said.

As December 31, 2022, SCIC’s revenue hit almost 10.7 trillion VND (over 455.86 million USD), 51% higher than the figure in 2021, and 35% higher than the plan in 2022.

Thanh said the corporation has so far received 10 out of 14 enterprises with a total book value of 8.52 trillion VND out of the chartered capital of nearly 13.55 trillion VND.

SCIC will continue to coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to sell state capital at businesses in the time to come.

It will continue to focus on implementing governance measures through its role as a state shareholder, promoting restructuring to improve operational efficiency, handling problems arising at companies, especially those with large capital scale and complicated financial situation.

Since the beginning of 2022, SCIC has proactively accelerated the selling of state capital. It successfully sold state capital at 26 enterprises with a total value of nearly 1.68 trillion VND.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Tourism held a conference on January 10 to announce its planned activities for 2023 with a focus on quality improvement, product diversification, demand stimulation, and digital technology application.

As heard at the meeting, the sector aims to serve 5 million foreign tourists and 35 million domestic visitors, raking in some 160 trillion VND (6.82 billion USD) in revenue.

Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, director of the department, said it will further complete existing tourism programmes and work with businesses and consultating agencies to develop a set of typical products for the southern largest economic hub.

Attention will also be paid to IT application, domestic cooperation, and human resources development, she added.

Nguyen Trung Khanh, General Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), said 2023 is expected to bring about both opportunities and challenges related to the global political and economic situation, therefore the city’s tourism targets are ambitious but possible.

According to the department, the economic hub received nearly 30 million domestic and foreign tourists in 2022, doubling the previous year’s figure. Its tourism revenue reached 120 trillion VND (5.1 billion USD), an increase of 171.2% year-on-year.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The VinFast Trading and Service Limited Liability Company, a subsidiary automaker of Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup, handed over 4,278 electric vehicles (EVs) to its customers last December, seven times higher than that of the previous month.

Of the sum, there were 2,730 VF 8 and 1,548 VF e34 units.

On December 12, the company’s VF 5 Plus model was officially opened for booking, receiving 3,293 orders within just nine hours. The EVs will be delivered to their owners starting April 2023.

VinFast offers flexible sales options for customers with batteries or with a battery subscription programme. Its EVs are also warranted for up to 10 years — one of the best warranty policies in the market.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on January 10 paid a working visit to and worked with the Standing Board of the Party Committee and key leaders of the northern province of Thai Nguyen on the results of the implementation of socio-economic development, and security-defence tasks.

Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the provincial People Committee Nguyen Thanh Hai said that last year, the province’s economic growth rate reached 8.59%, higher than the national average; and per capita income hit 107 million VND (4,560 USD), 12 million VND higher than that of 2021. Total state budget revenue was 19 trillion VND (810.23 million USD), over 1 trillion VND higher than the estimate. The province’s poverty rate reduced from 6.14% in 2021 to 4.49% at present.

Hailing efforts made by the province’s Party Organisation, administration and people, the Party chief asked Thai Nguyen to clearly identify its potential and advantages to set out specific and appropriate goals, and choose key tasks and breakthroughs to create new and stronger changes in socio-economic development. Attention should be paid to bettering planning and planning management, and increasing regional connectivity to help Thai Nguyen develop rapidly and sustainably, and soon become a modernity-oriented industralised province.

He stressed the importance of harmonising economic development and socio-economic development, well soving social issues, continuously improving the material and spiritual lives of local peple, and concertedly implementing measures to innovate and increase the quality of education and training and health care.

The leader also requested the local Party Organisation and administration to pay more attention to policy beneficiaries, poor households, and labourers, especially in the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) – Vietnam’s biggest national festival.

Thai Nguyen, a magnet for foreign investment in the North, should also exert every effort to prevent and fight all kinds of crimes to ensure a safe and convenient environment for investment attraction, the General Secretary stressed.

In addition, it is necessary to better the building and rectification of the Party and the political system, he added. Earlier the same day, the Party leader visited and presented Tet gifts to the family of veteran Nguyen Trung Luu in Pho Yen city, and visited Hao Dat tea cooperative in Thai Nguyen city./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency