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Tourists at Flamingo Dai Lai tourist site (Illustrative image. Source: VNA)

Vietnamese tourism space launched in Brunei

The Vietnamese Embassy in Brunei launched a space introducing Vietnam's tourism at the Brunei International Airport on August 11, aiming to promote the image of the Vietnamese nation, people, and culture to Brunei and international friends.

Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Tran Anh Vu underlined that people-to-people exchange is one of the priorities in the Vietnam-Brunei comprehensive partnership in the 2023-2027 period, cited VNA.

The Vietnamese tourism space is the first of its kind by a foreign diplomatic corps in this public area, he noted.

In order to draw attention to the pavilion, the embassy will screen high quality video clips spotlighting the nation and people of Vietnam, including famous tourist attractions like Ninh Thuan, Nha Trang, and Da Nang.

Particularly, videos about Ninh Thuan, which is home to the Muslim community that shares many similarities with that in Brunei, will be highlighted, said the diplomat.

The space also displays the Vietnam News Agency's Victory photo book and many other publications on Vietnamese tourism and culture, along with many handicrafts as well as typical Vietnamese typical products such as coffee, dried fruits, and agricultural products.

CEO of the Royal Brunei Airlines Sabirin Abdul Hamid said that the Vietnamese tourism space is a passionate effort of Vietnam and Brunei, specifically between the Vietnamese Embassy and the Royal Brunei Airlines.

The current frequency of three flights per week from Brunei to Ho Chi Minh City is not commensurate with the potential for cooperation between the two countries, he held, expressing his hope that with the information provided by the Vietnamese tourism promotion space, this potential will be further exploited.

Exports to the UK market enjoy robust growth

In the first half of this year, the total trade turnover between Vietnam and the UK reached more than US$3.9 billion, an increase of 21.7% over the same period from 2023, with Vietnam recording a trade surplus of more than US$3.2 billion, up 28.5% on-year, according to preliminary statistics compiled by the General Department of Customs.

Vietnamese export turnover to the UK market in June alone grossed US$573.3 million, up 10.7% over the previous month, bringing six-month exports to US$3.5 billion, up 24.6% over the same period from last year.

The leading export items during the six-month period was the group of phones of all kinds and components, raking in more than US$638.4 million, accounting for 17.8% of the export proportion. It was followed by the group of other machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts with US$606.9 million, up 44.7%, and footwear of all kinds with US$ 479.8 million, up 27.7% on-year.

Throughout the reviewed period, some items saw a significant increase in export turnover compared to the previous year including computers, electronic products and components, rubber, electric wires and cables, machinery, equipment and tools, fruits and vegetables, garments and textiles, leather, footwear materials and all kinds of footwear, according to VOV.

Computers, electronic products and components are among Vietnam's key export items to the UK market.

According to the assessment of the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and Northern Ireland, the UK market provides plenty of opportunities for Vietnamese exports, first of all, the preferential tariff basis under the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

Vietnamese enterprises will have the opportunity to increase exports of rubber, electric wires and cables, telephones and components of all kinds, coffee, cereals, confectionery, ceramics, fruit and vegetables, food, leather shoes, garments and textiles, seafood, wooden furniture, and rice to the highly lucrative market as recently, the UK has tended to increase its demand for importing these products.

Furthermore, the UK market is quite big with roughly 68 million people alongside diverse needs, and an Asian community of more than 5.5 million people, which is also a favorable condition for Vietnamese enterprises to increase exports to this market, including wooden furniture.

To be able to capitalize on the opportunities brought about by the UKVFTA, Vietnamese businesses need to ensure that their products and production processes meet UK standards.

Nha Trang listed among top five Asian destinations for diving

The latest data released by digital travel platform Agoda has revealed the top five Asian destinations for diving, with Nha Trang City in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa featured among the list.

Nha Trang is gaining popularity as a diving destination thanks to its warm waters coupled with a colorful marine ecosystem which makes it an inviting spot to enjoy underwater exploration activities, Agoda reported.

The Hon Mun Marine Protected Area represents a top dive site which is known for its clear waters and diverse marine life. Here, divers can explore coral reefs which are teeming with colorful fish and other marine creatures, it wrote.

Bali in Indonesia came out as the top dive destination, with the island being known for its beaches and rich culture, as well as an abundance of marine life.

Photo: VNN

Thailand’s Phuket came in second, with the area boasting a treasure trove of dive sites which are waiting to be explored. The subtropical climate and clear waters of Okinawa in Japan ranked third on the list as they offer some of Japan’s best diving experiences. The region’s unique underwater landscapes coupled with rich biodiversity make it a top choice for divers.

Cebu in the Philippines was placed fourth and is a diver’s haven teeming with marine life. The island offers a range of diving sites which are suitable for all levels of divers.

Asia offers some of the most spectacular diving experiences found anywhere in the world. From shipwrecks to vibrant coral reefs, each destination provides unique underwater adventures for divers of all levels, according to Agoda.

The ranking was based on accommodation bookings made on Agoda between January and June this year.

Young people enthusiastic in cultural tourism

As cultural tourism is popular among both domestic and foreign visitors, young Vietnamese people have embraced the trend and created a breath of fresh air in cultural tourism development.

They have not only provided visitors with immersive experiences but also joined hands to preserve the local culture and reduce negative impact on the local ecological system.

Sung Mi Phin, a young Mong ethnic man from the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, has given up his stable job as a teacher to run his own homestay business although it was a hard nut for him at that time.

He saw that many tourists were heading to the region to get a short break from the hustle and bustle of their urban life, and decided to cash in on his hometown’s cultural strengths. Phin’s homestay Chaito has provided visitors with farming experiences as well as an insight into the Mong ethnics’ costumes, linen cloth weaving, and folk songs, VOV reported.

Hoa Lo prison, the “red address” to educate the younger generations on patriotism and the nation’s noble revolutionary tradition has surged in popularity.

His homestay business model is a prime example of how locals can preserve and promote their heritage while benefiting from tourism. Perceiving that involving local people in culturally-focused tourism is the best way to respect, preserve, and promote traditional cultural values, Phin is dreaming of building a community-based tourism village with various unique offerings.

Diu Thi Huong, a Lo Lo ethnic woman in Ha Giang province, gripped by fear that the traditional culture could be in grave peril due to neglect of preservation, returned home after graduating from a reputable university in Hanoi, hoping to contribute to promoting the values of her race's traditional culture.

She is planning to open a stall offering handicrafts of the ethnic group and arranging cultural experiences for visitors. Realizing the significance of tourism development in tandem with the popularization of culture, Huong said that tourists come there for the ebullience brought to them through distinct cultures and experiences.

“Only by deeply understanding and appreciating our ethnic culture can we open up to learning the positive aspects of others', and only then can we truly embrace the differences in the cultures of various ethnic groups,” she said

According to Huong, owner of Cuc Bac coffee shop in Lo Lo Chai village, culture is the identity of different ethnic groups and localities, which is handed from one generation to the next. Once the cultures fall into oblivion, the ethnics lose not only their writings, languages, and customs but also their roots.

Meanwhile, youngsters from the communications team of Hoa Lo Prison special historical relic site have shown their love for the nation’s intangible heritage in a different way.

The “red address” to educate the younger generations on patriotism and the nation’s noble revolutionary tradition has surged in popularity as its Facebook fanpage garnered hundreds of thousands of followers after five years. Through Gen Z’s words, the communications team has been able to bring the historical knowledge close to young people.

Statistics showed that the relic site welcomed nearly 300,000 visitors in 2016, and the figure nearly doubled seven years later.

With support from revolutionary veterans, former political prisoners, and historical witnesses, the team has helped visitors gain impressive experiences and understand more about the past.

According to the team, the fanpage is now in only Vietnamese with hope that the language’s popularity will soar among foreigners, while language support has been provided for visitors at the site.

With substantive activities, the young people have joined the nation’s efforts to develop tourism, preserve culture, and promote its values.

New Vietnamese horror-comedy movie soon to be released abroad

A new horror-comedy movie will be soon released in five Asian countries and territories.

Entitled "Lam Giau Voi Ma" (Betting with Ghost), the movie will be launched in cinema theaters nationwide on August 30, right before the National Day holiday, before being screened in Indonesia, Malaysia, Cambodia, Brunei, and Taiwan.

Produced by Bluebells Studios, the movie tells a humorous story of a wealth-making deal between a man and a ghost. Added to the narrative of the actual deal, it reveals many secrets of a father-and-son relationship between Lanh and Dao, cited VNA.

From left: Actor Tuan Tran (as Lanh), Diep Bao Anh (as the Ghost), and movie director Nguyen Nhat Trung seen at the launch of the movie Lam Giau Voi Ma (Betting with Ghost) on August 7. (Photos courtesy of Bluebells Studios)

Creative producer Vo Nguyen Dan has revealed that the inspiration for the movie stemmed from the unique role of a coffin bearer. These individuals are responsible for caring for and decorating the deceased, ensuring they reach their final resting place with dignity, but they are also believed to possess the ability to connect with the underworld.

The film delves into these spiritual elements, exploring the quest for wealth through supernatural means. However, this journey comes with significant challenges and the protagonist, Lanh, faces a series of arduous trials, underscoring that every pursuit has its price.

Director Nguyen NhatTrung said that he wanted to create a ghost character that is relatable and emotionally compelling for the audience, rather than a typical supernatural entity. By imbuing the ghost character with human-like emotions and an authentic, natural performance, the filmmaker hopes to get the audience to see the ghost as a sympathetic figure.

The distributor of Betting with Ghost for international markets is Mockingbird Pictures – a HCM City-based film production and distribution company, which has had several Asian hit movies in Vietnam, including the Thailand’s Death Whisperer (Tee Yod), the Republic of Korea’s Concrete Utopia, Exhuma and Honey Sweet.

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