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Italian-flagged cruise ship Costa Serena (Photo: VNA)

Costa Serena brings 2,700 passengers to Phu Quoc island

Italian-flagged cruise ship Costa Serena docked at Phu Quoc International Passenger Port in the southern province of Kien Giang on February 16, with the vessel bringing about 2,700 travelers to the island, mostly from Thailand and India.

During their two-day visit, the passengers explored several popular tourist attractions on Phu Quoc Island, including Grand World and the Hon Thom Cable Car, while also indulging in a variety of delicious local dishes, reported Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV).

The ship is scheduled to depart on the afternoon of February 17 to continue its journey. This marks the first ship to dock at Phu Quoc International Passenger Port since its completion after 10 years of construction on February 14, cited VNA.

Nguyen Thi Bich Dieu, director of Dong Noi Tourism Co., Ltd, shared that the island is set to welcome an additional 3,500 international passengers on February 20.

According to the provincial Tourism Department, Phu Quoc has already hosted over 25,800 Thai visitors and more than 30,000 Indian travellers since 2024.

To reach these impressive figures, local authorities have organized various promotional campaigns in India and Thailand to showcase the island's renowned tourist destinations.

HCM City to build high-tech training center

Ho Chi Minh City will establish an international-standard high-tech skills training center to improve the qualifications of Vietnamese workers.

Accordingly, the Management Board of Saigon Hi-Tech Park Training center and the HCM City Investment and Trade Promotion center (ITPC) have signed a cooperation agreement with British University Vietnam to build the center, which will be located at the High-Tech Park Training center in District 9.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Deputy Chairman of the the city People's Committee Vo Van Hoan emphasised the importance of science, technology, globalisation, and human resources as the key factors determining the competitiveness of each country. International cooperation in the field of education and training not only helps to access advanced scientific and technological achievements but also contributes to improving the quality of teaching and research, while creating conditions for Vietnamese students and experts to access international standards, according to VNS.

Signing ceremony of cooperation agreement to build an international-standard High-Tech Skills Training Center in HCM City on February 12.

The center is expected to become a model in advanced training and skills transfer training, helping the Vietnamese workforce to be flexible, adapt quickly and effectively meet the demand for high-quality labour in technology fields such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence.

Nguyen Ky Phung, head of the Management Board of HCM City High-Tech Park, said that developing human resources, especially high-quality human resources, is closely linked with the development and application of science and technology, and is a decisive factor in restructuring the economy and transforming the growth model to ensure rapid, effective and sustainable development.

“This center will be a solid foundation to promote the sustainable development of high-quality human resources, and will contribute to bringing Vietnam closer to the group of leading countries in technology and innovation."

Vietnamese goods - top choice of consumers

With improving quality and strong consumer support, Vietnamese goods are increasingly becoming the preferred choice for households across the country. This trend is further evidenced by the growing presence of locally made products in distribution systems nationwide.

To ensure a stable supply of essential goods before, during, and after the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, Hanoi authorities have implemented decisive measures to stabilise the market. Retailers have increased their stock by 30-35% to meet demand, with Vietnamese goods accounting for up to 85-90% of the total supply.

Notably, the city has established 128 supply chain links for safe agricultural products, connecting with 926 suppliers and distribution networks from 43 provinces and cities. Multi-channel retailing has also been prioritised, with 268 e-commerce websites offering online shopping options. In particular, over 3,000 One Commune, One Product (OCOP) items and 500,000 tonnes of goods from various regions have been introduced and distributed in Hanoi.

A survey of convenience stores and major retail chains such as Hapro Mart, GO!, WinMart, Lotte Mart, and Co.opmart in the capital revealed that Vietnamese goods made up 90% of Tet gift baskets, according to VNA.

Customers shop at Tasco Mall in Hanoi’s Long Bien district. (Photo: Hanoimoi.vn)

Do Tue Tam, Deputy General Director of Hanoi Trade Corporation (Hapro), stated that the company selects high-quality Hapro-branded products by its subsidiaries to ensure they meet set standards. These include ST 25 rice, Hapro Dong Thap rice, roasted cashews, sausages, smoked pork knuckles, chicken, and smoked pork belly, all carefully packaged into Tet gift baskets. Additionally, Hapromart and BRGmart supermarkets have launched promotional programmes with attractive pricing to boost consumer spending.

Nguyen Thi Kim Dung, Director of Co.opmart Hanoi, noted that for many years, over 90% of Tet gift baskets at the supermarket have comprised locally made specialty items.

Nguyen Minh Anh, a resident of Cau Giay district, shared that Vietnamese-branded Tet products have become increasingly diverse in design and price, making them more appealing and accessible to consumers.

Nguyen Kieu Oanh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, emphasised that changing consumer habits present an opportunity for domestic businesses to quickly adapt by introducing new products with attractive designs, high quality, reasonable prices, and excellent after-sales service.

Strong shift toward Vietnamese goods

After nearly 15 years, the Vietnamese people prioritise using Vietnamese goods campaign has yielded marked results, with over 85% of consumers now choosing locally made products. Beyond traditional in-store shopping, many domestic businesses and manufacturers have expanded into online channels and e-commerce platforms, bringing Vietnamese goods closer to consumers.

From a distribution perspective, Tam stressed that all products sold in Hapro’s retail system must meet strict quality standards. For instance, agricultural and food products must maintain optimal freshness, reaching supermarkets within 8-36 hours after harvest or processing and being stored under ideal conditions. The company has also established a food safety inspection team to closely monitor product quality, ensuring clear traceability and compliance with safety regulations, she added.

Pham Anh Tuan, Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in Hanoi, noted that over the past 15 years, the campaign has led to significant and widespread changes. People from all social classes are increasingly prioritising locally made goods, boosting domestic consumption and strengthening national production.

To sustain the campaign’s success, the city’s Steering Committee has directed relevant units to enhance awareness among consumers and businesses of its importance. Efforts will focus on guiding, supporting, and connecting businesses while streamlining administrative procedures and addressing challenges faced by enterprises. Businesses with popular Vietnamese products are encouraged to strengthen marketing efforts, build brand recognition, and expand market development both domestically and internationally to maintain consumer trust.

Southeast region sees strong FDI inflow in early 2025

Vietnam’s southeast key economic region is showing promising signs of foreign direct investment (FDI) growth in the first two months of 2025, reinforcing its position as a prime destination for global capital.

Regional localities are rolling out new investment strategies focused on sustainability, high-quality projects, digital transformation, and green and circular economies.

Positive investment momentum

Despite global economic uncertainties, Binh Duong province has exceeded its FDI target for 2024 and remains the second-largest recipient of foreign investment, after Ho Chi Minh City.

The province has so far this year approved seven FDI projects worth nearly US$1 billion, spanning high-tech industries, electronics manufacturing, logistics, and industrial real estate.

At a recent discussion on investment expansion in Binh Duong, Wong Man Li, chairman of Hong Kong-based Manwah Group, praised the province’s impressive economic growth and favourable investment environment. He said the company plans to inject an additional US$50 million into a new factory to scale up local production.

Binh Duong is also working with the World Bank to develop eco-industrial parks incorporating green energy, solar power, and smart water management. This aligns with the province’s 2021–2030 master plan, which envisions next-generation industrial zones as key drivers for high-tech investment.

Meanwhile, Dong Nai province recently granted investment certificates for 14 projects in its industrial zones, totalling US$738 million. Of this, US$243 million came from seven new FDI projects, reported VOV.

Photo: VNA

The province has set an FDI target of US$1.1 billion for 2025, equivalent to its 2024 goal. However, in just over a month, Dong Nai has already attracted nearly US$690 million, reaching 63% of its annual target. Investments are spread across 10 new FDI projects and 16 capital expansion initiatives, mainly in high-tech, eco-friendly industries that require less labour and meet environmental standards.

Competitive advantages in FDI attraction

Binh Duong has established itself as a prime destination for FDI, thanks to its well-developed infrastructure, attractive investment policies, and pro-business environment. Its emphasis on high-tech industries, smart manufacturing, and digital transformation continues to attract major global players.

The province is also streamlining administrative procedures to speed up investment approvals and assist businesses in overcoming challenges.

According to Mai Hung Dung, Standing Vice Chairman of the Binh Duong People’s Committee, the province is ramping up efforts to enhance infrastructure, improve investment conditions, and develop a high-quality workforce.

To attract more FDI, Binh Duong has designated nearly 20,000 hectares for next-generation industrial zones along major transport corridors such as Ring Roads 3 and 4, the Ho Chi Minh City–Thu Dau Mot–Chon Thanh Expressway, and the Ho Chi Minh Highway.

Similarly, Dong Nai is accelerating the development of four new industrial parks approved in 2024, adding more than 2,500 hectares of industrial land for investors. These include the Bau Can–Tan Hiep, Phuoc Binh 2, Long Duc 3, and Xuan Que–Song Nhan industrial zones, set to provide prime locations for foreign businesses.

Dong Nai People’s Committee Chairman Vo Tan Duc reaffirmed the province’s commitment to improving the investment climate and supporting businesses across key sectors, including industry, tourism, agriculture, infrastructure, and real estate. The local administration is also actively engaging with FDI enterprises to address their concerns and facilitate investment opportunities through domestic and international promotion events.

With a strong start and a wealth of competitive advantages, Dong Nai’s FDI inflows are expected to exceed projections for 2025, further strengthening its position as a top investment hub in Vietnam.

Frequent fog expected in northern Vietnam until March 10

The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting indicated that during this forecast period, cold air will continue to influence Vietnam’s weather, potentially bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms on certain days.

The center indicated that during this forecast period, cold air will continue to influence Vietnam’s weather, potentially bringing scattered showers and thunderstorms on certain days, VNS reported.

A corner of Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi in foggy weather. Photo: VNS

Notably, on the mainland, the eastward-shifting and modified cold air mass may result in prolonged drizzles, light rain and fog, particularly affecting the northeastern and north-central provinces. This could impact daily activities and transportation.

Additionally, under these weather conditions, strong winds and high waves are expected, posing challenges for maritime activities.

Nguyen Duc Hoa, Deputy Head of the Climate Forecasting Department at the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, noted that the equatorial trough is strengthening and shifting northward. This could impact the southern part of the East Sea and potentially affect the southern region.

In the central and southern regions, scattered showers and thunderstorms may occur on some days.

Rainfall in the northern and north-central regions is expected to be around the long-term average, while other areas may see an increase of 10–20mm, with some locations exceeding 30mm compared to the average for this period.

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