Vietnam News Today (Aug. 2): Vietnam Backs India’s Growing Role On Global Stage
	Vietnam News Today (Aug. 3): Timor Leste Seeks Vietnam’s Assistance in Key Areas

Vietnam, China improve counter-terrorism capacity

The joint anti-terrorism training drill between Vietnam and China concluded at a facility in Guangxi province, China, on August 2 after two weeks of active engagement.

It was conducted based on the theme of responding together to terrorist threats. Forces from the countries engaged in exchanges, discussions, command and skill training, underwater training, tactical coordination, and specialized training, and comprehensive anti-terrorism exercises, cited VNA.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Nguyen Ngoc Lam presents gifts to forces participating in the exercise. (Photo: bocongan.gov.vn)

The two sides also coordinated to organize sports exchange and art performance activities.

Themed “Cooperation 2024”, this is the first bilateral joint training organized by the mobile police force under the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and the People’s Armed Police Force of China aiming to further inherit the traditional friendship, enhance mutual trust and cooperation, and better the joint anti-terrorism capability between the two nations.

Vietnam braces for heavy rainfall and flooding as La Nina begins

As La Nina prepares to make its presence felt from late August, experts predict that northern Vietnam may experience higher-than-average rainfall in September.

From late August, La Nina is expected to begin affecting Vietnam, with northern regions likely experiencing above-average rainfall in September. In particular, central Vietnam faces a heightened risk of intense rain and flooding in the year's final months.

Meteorologist Nguyen Van Huong, Head of the Weather Forecast Department at the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, recently provided analysis and forecasts regarding rainfall in August and the coming months.

August marks the primary rainy season for northern Vietnam, with the rain spell that started on July 28 possibly continuing until around August 3-4, according to VNN.

Heavy rains cause flooding in Ha Tinh in October 2023. Photo: Thien Luong

During this period, rainfall will mainly concentrate in the Northwest and Viet Bac regions, with localized areas experiencing heavy to very heavy rain. From August 5, heavy rain is expected to decrease; from August 6-7 onwards, the rain will continue to diminish and transition to sunshine.

From August 8-11, northern provinces are likely to experience a heatwave.

"We anticipate that if rain occurs in August, it will follow the heatwave, after August 11," said Huong.

According to expert Nguyen Van Huong, from late August and into September, La Nina will begin to take effect. Consequently, rainfall in northern Vietnam during September could exceed the multi-year average.

Significantly, from September, La Nina's impact coincides with the rainy and stormy season in central Vietnam. With this influence, storms and floods in central regions are likely to occur intensively from late September through October and November.

Lucrative Halal market creates great opportunity for Vietnamese exports

The billion-USD Halal market, fueled by a surging global Muslim population, is considered one of the drivers for Vietnam's exports in the future.

DDA Vietnam, which specializes in organic products, is one of the Vietnamese enterprises seeking opportunities in the market.

Nguyen Thi Anh Nguyet, a representative of the company, stated that it is completing the Halal certification to export organic calcium products made from chicken eggshells to Middle Eastern countries.

Statistics show that nearly 60 provinces and cities nationwide have exported products to the global Halal market, but only about 1,000 enterprises have been certified, reported VNA.

Businesses and partners discuss on Halal products for export. (Photo: hanoimoi.vn)

With strict regulations of Halal standards, Vietnam's current exports are mainly farm produce, and raw materials for some industries. Therefore, it holds a modest position among global suppliers of these products. Additionally, the Halal market is still very new to many domestic enterprises, despite Vietnam's advantages in raw materials and geographical location.

According to Nguyen Minh Phuong from the Department of Asia – Africa Markets under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), the global Halal market holds great potential, with 25% of the world's population being Muslim and the total trade value of Halal products hitting an estimated 2.3 trillion USD and continuing to grow.

Products with strong demand include food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and fashion items. Prices of Halal products are usually 5-10% higher and consumers who want to use Halal products are willing to pay for them.

However, to be able to successfully penetrate and compete with other rival suppliers in the market, businesses need to learn and grasp business practices, consumption culture, and market regulations, said experts.

Le Chau Hai Vu, a consultant for building Halal food quality, said businesses need to have accurate knowledge of market trends, religious practices, business and consumption culture, and preferences, and meet specific standards for packaging and advertising.

Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in Saudi Arabia Tran Trong Kim advised businesses to conduct market research and inquire about regulations of host countries regarding quality management and food safety.

For deals with import businesses in this region, it is necessary to sign payment contracts using letters of credit (LC) with a deposit, Kim said, warning that exporters should not pay in advance any fees related to contract brokerage or invoice issuance as these are common fraudulent practices.

The MoIT is building a project to support exporters and producers of Halal products, aiming to further boost the export. Additionally, the National Trade Promotion Program is also a channel to support businesses in participating in networking and trade promotion activities with the Halal markets.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thuong Lang from the National Economics University said that with its foreign trade development strategy, Vietnam should focus on effectively and sustainably exploiting the Halal market.

Hanoi, HCM City among 10 most affordable Asian cities for visitors

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are among 10 most affordable Asian cities to visit right now, according to travel magazine Travel + Leisure.

The magazine said that trips to Asia can seem expensive at first glance, with some flights double what you’d pay to get to Europe. But as with any travel destination, you can find a great deal — if you know where to look.

Flights to Asia are actually nine percent cheaper than they were this time last year. For bigger savings, Kayla Inserra DeLoache, Kayak’s consumer travel trends expert, recommends travelers “plan your trip during shoulder season this fall (October-November) and save up to 12 percent on flights compared to peak travel season (May-July).”

Vietnam is one of the two countries to show up twice on this list, a fact that’s not surprising to people who are well versed in travel to Asian countries, cited VGP.

Saigon Central Post Office in HCMC. Photo: VGP

According to Ethan Crowley, a trip planner at Kayak’s Asia Desk, HCMC has an average total cost of US$1,452. The cost to book direct flights from San Francisco to Ho Chi Minh City starts at just US$660 for a round trip, according to their flight schedule.

Moreover, he noted that this is currently one of the only direct nonstop flights from Southeast Asia to North America.

Along with affordable flights, Crowley said that food and lodging is also affordable. He considers Vietnam to likely be “the lowest-cost country for travelers” in all of Southeast Asia.

Meanwhile, Hanoi charges an average total cost of US$1,546. In Vietnam, visitors have great cheap food, great value hotels, and great transport.

Accommodation, from the low end up through luxury, is much cheaper than the surrounding countries.

Business-class domestic flights in Vietnam are excellent value and also make the experience in the country's crowded airports much more enjoyable; even economy flights are far cheaper than similar routings in the U.S.

Rounding on the list of the top 10 destinations were Taipei City of Taiwan (China), Jakarta of Indonesia, New Delhi of India, Bangkok of Thailand, Manila of the Philippines, Tokyo of Japan, Kuala Lumpur of Malaysia, and Osaka of Japan.

Earlier, Hanoi was named as the world's second most affordable travel destination this year by British website Wethrift, in a survey by British website Wethrift.

Public transport in Hanoi can cost as little as GBP0.23 (US$0.29), a meal costs around GBP1.71 and the average price of a drink is GBP0.83. A night’s stay for two people on weekends costs GBP32.42 while attraction tickets add up to GBP45.

Hanoi currently has 61 direct flights.

Various special activities planned for Ninh Binh international festival

The third Ninh Binh Festival will be held on an international scale for the first time this November to offer special experiences to travelers visiting the northern province, according to the provincial administration.

In a recently released announcement, authorities say a range of outstanding events, including a street carnival and a boat parade will take place as part of the festival.

An exchange program for international music groups and music galas will be held in Ninh Binh city, aimed at strengthening friendship and mutual understanding among local people, foreign artists, and residents, cited VOV.

Photo: VOV

The first Southeast Asian tennis championship will take place as part of preparations for the 2025 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games and will be held along with many other cultural programs such as the 26th Red River Delta art photo festival, an international badminton tournament "Vietnam International Challenge 2024", and the 2024 Trang An marathon international tournament.

Furthermore, a trade fair and a culinary show will be organized to introduce local food and products to international friends.

The administration of Ninh Binh unveils the festival will get underway in mid-November and is scheduled to last for about 10 days in Ninh Binh city and several other districts in the province.

Vietnam News Today (Jul. 31): EU Considers Vietnam Among Leading Important Partners in Region Vietnam News Today (Jul. 31): China, Vietnam bolster cross-border co-operation; EU considers Vietnam among leading important partners in region; Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh embarks ...

Vietnam News Today (Aug. 1): Vietnam And India Eye US$20 Billion Trade Target Vietnam News Today (Aug. 1): Vietnam and India eye US$20 billion trade target; Timor-Leste President arrives in Hanoi, beginning state visit to Vietnam; EU wants ...