Hoan Kiem Lake. Photo: baophapluat

Hanoi named among top 100 best cities in the world

Hanoi was the sole representative from Vietnam to feature in the top 100 best cities in the world in 2024, released by newswire World’s Best Cities, with the capital ranking 96th overall.

Experts said that although Hanoi is not as expansive or vibrant as Ho Chi Minh City, the capital offers a plethora of activities and attractions, ranging from urban landmarks, chaotic markets for bargain hunters, and awe-inspiring heritage structures to a vibrant nightlife that possesses its own charm.

Moreover, Hanoi’s hospitality sector is tipped to boom, with an additional 60 new projects anticipated to generate more than 11,000 hotel rooms. Of these, 61% are 5-star hotels, making the capital ready to host the world and attract more business travel, cited VNA.

The World’s Best Cities is an annual list compiled since 2015 by global real estate and tourism consultants Resonance.

The study comprehensively evaluates more than 270 large cities with a population of more than 1 million. The ranking criteria is based on three major factors - liveability, lovability, and prosperity.

Ambassador Marc Knapper upbeat about stronger US-Vietnam relations in 2024

Ambassador of the United States of America to Vietnam Marc Knapper is confident that relations between the US and Vietnam will be further strengthened in 2024 following the lifting of their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2023.

In a video conveying the New Year 2024 message to the Vietnamese people, Knapper affirmed 2023 was a great year in US-Vietnam relations marked by US President Joe Biden's historic visit to Hanoi during which the two countries upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

He particularly spoke about an increase in trade, economic and investment cooperation between the two countries, recalling Amkor Technology’s US$1.6 billion computer chip assembly, testing and packaging facility in Bac Ninh province, and VinFast’s US$4.5 billion electric vehicle production facility in North Carolina.

The two projects show the importance of bilateral trade to the resilience of global supply chains, said the ambassador, adding the two economies are more closely connected than ever.

The diplomat also affirmed that the two countries are cooperating more closely on emerging technologies, towards facilitating conditions for high-tech industries such as semiconductors to flourish, according to VOV.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper.

According to the ambassador, Vietnam is also one of the leading countries having a large number of students studying in the US, amounting to nearly 30,000. The US is focusing on developing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education to help modernize Vietnam’s higher education, as well as supporting digital commerce and workforce development.

Knapper also said the US is committed to solving post-war issues to heal the wounds of the past war. The US and Vietnam agreed to update a cooperation agreements on dioxin decontamination at Bien Hoa airport, raising total funds to US$300 million

Vietnam is currently the seventh largest trading partner of the US. Two-way trade between the two countries increased from just US$450 million in 1995 to more than US$123 billion in 2022.

The US ranks 11th among investors in Vietnam with about 1,200 projects valued at nearly US$11.4 billion. Meanwhile, Vietnam currently has 230 investment projects in the US, with a total registered capital of US$1.26 billion.

In the Joint Leaders’ Statement upgrading the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September 2023, both sides supported the rapid development of the semiconductor ecosystem in Vietnam, and they will actively coordinate to enhance Vietnam’s position in the global semiconductor supply chain.

The two sides also announced the launch of semiconductor workforce development initiatives supported by initial seed funding of US$2 million from the US government, along with future Vietnamese government and private sector support.

Mekong Delta draws visitors to classic destinations

The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta, one of the country's seven key tourism regions, has identified 53 classic destinations designated by the Mekong Delta Tourism Association.

These include tourist complexes, lodging facilities, cultural-historical relics, architectural structures, public works, national parks, and traditional craft establishments catering to tourists.

To be recognized, tourism complexes must offer at least 10 types of products and services while cultural-historical relics, public works, architectural structures, national parks, ecological gardens must meet the criterion of hosting 40,000 visitors or more. To contribute to responsible tourism development and generate sustainable livelihoods for local communities, they also need to have a local labor rate of at least 50%, VNA reported.

A corner of Cai Rang floating market (Photo: VNA)

Tran Thi Lan Phuong, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Bac Lieu, said the province boasts 11 recognized destinations, the highest number in the region. These include iconic spots such as the Temple of Ho Chi Minh, Ho Nam ecological tourism area, the memorial site for southern amateur music and musician Cao Van Lau, Hung Vuong Square, House of Bac Lieu Dude, artificial beach in Nha Mat tourism area, Bac Lieu restaurants and hotels, Quan Am Buddha pagoda, Bac Lieu wind power plant, Xiem Can pagoda and Noc Nang relic site.

This year, Bac Lieu expects to draw about 4.2 million domestic and foreign visitors, with a significant number of them heading to these classic destinations, she added.

Tran Viet Phuong, Chairman of the Mekong Delta Tourism Association, said the destinations were surveyed and selected every three years, allowing travelers to easily choose safe, hospitable, and quality places to visit, thereby helping develop the regional tourism brand.

Passengers to increase 300-350% during Tet’s peak travel period

Hanoi Transport Station Joint Stock Company said it expects to use around 2,500 additional vehicles for the Tet holiday period.

The number of passengers using bus services during the peak period of Tet (Lunar New Year) is predicted to increase by about 300-350 per cent compared to normal days in Hanoi.

The peak period of Tet will take place from January 31, 2024 to February 9, 2024. This is the time when freelance workers and students start their Tet holidays and return to their hometowns.

From February 8, 2024, officials, employees and workers in State agencies and businesses will start their seven-day Tet holidays.

Pham Manh Hung, director of Hanoi Transport Station Joint Stock Company, said currently, buses on local stations had been operating at 30-50 percent of capacity. Thus, the number of vehicles basically still met travel needs of passengers during the peak period.

For some routes from Hanoi to the provinces of Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Thai Binh, Son La and Lao Cai, congestion may occur, but with the number of vehicles on the routes, and additional vehicles available, it will still be possible to transport all customers within a day, VNS reported.

Passengers at My Dinh Bus Station in Hanoi. Photo: VNS

During the days before Tet, short-distance bus routes will be crowded with passengers.

At Giap Bat Bus Station, the number of passengers on peak days is expected to be about 18,000 daily, an increase of 300 per cent compared to normal days. The busiest routes will be the routes from Hanoi to the provinces of Nam Định, Thái Bình, Ninh Bình and Thanh Hoa.

At Gia Lam Bus Station, the number of passengers on peak days is predicted to be about 5,000 daily, an increase of about 300 per cent compared to normal days. The busiest routes will be from Hanoi to Hai Phong City and Quang Ninh Province.

At My Dinh Bus Station, the number of passengers on peak days is estimated to be over 18,000 daily, an increase of over 350 per cent compared to normal days. The busiest routes will be the routes from Hanoi to the provinces of Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Yen Bai, Dien Bien, Son La, Lai Chau, Quang Ninh and Cao Bang.

After the Tet holidays, the number of passengers will increase sharply on long-distance routes from Hanoi to HCM City, Da Nang City, and the provinces of Gia Lai and Buon Me Thuot, that depart from Giap Bat Bus Station.

Preparedness

Local bus stations have coordinated with transport units to provide additional vehicles to meet the increased travel demand.

The company said it expected to use around 2,500 additional vehicles for the entire holiday.

To better serve passengers during the peak period of Tet holidays, the company has required local bus stations to check the increase in ticket prices of transport units, preventing the collection of ticket prices higher than the registered fares.

The company will also work with transport businesses to sell electronic tickets and require units selling electronic tickets to ensure all passengers on the bus have tickets before the bus departs, even in case the software system selling electronic tickets encounters problems during peak days.

At the same time, the company has asked the city’s Transport Department and Police Department to manage traffic flow in the area of Giap Bat Bus Station, especially the construction area of the intersection of Ring Road No. 2.5, to ensure smooth traffic during the peak days.

In a related move, chairman of the People’s Committee of the city Nguyen Sy Thanh ordered the local transport department and relevant units on Wednesday afternoon to strengthen inspection of the declaration of transport fares, train and bus tickets according to regulations and strictly handle any violations.

The department was told to direct transport businesses to proactively prepare forces and vehicles to transport passengers and goods during the Tet holidays. Traffic police were ordered to enhance inspection vehicles that park and stop not in accordance with regulations, drive in the wrong lane, or exceed the prescribed number of passengers.

Luxury cruise ship Westerdam brings foreign visitors to Nha Trang

Luxury cruise ship Westerdam docked at Nha Trang port of Nha Trang bay, one of the most beautiful bay in the world, on December 31, bringing approximately 2,000 foreign visitors, mostly Dutch travelers, to the central coastal city, the capital of Khanh Hoa province.

Coming to Nha Trang this time, the visitors went on a city tour of major tourist attractions in the locality by cyclo or learn about Vietnamese cuisine at a restaurant on the outskirts of the city.

After discovering the city’s major destinations and food delicacies, the visitors boarded the cruise ship again late in the afternoon the same day, heading for Da Nang, another famous tourist destination in central Vietnam.

Westerdam was the last foreign cruise ship bringing foreign visitors to Nha Trang in 2023, cited VOV.

Foreign visitors from cruise ship Westerdam take a cyclo tour of Nha Trang city. (Photo: Khanh Hoa Tourism Promotion Center)

Westerdam is expected to return to Nha Trang in January 2024, according to Bui Minh Thang, director of Phuong Thang Tourism Service Trading Company Limited.

He also revealed that the company will also welcome about 3,000 foreign guests on board a cruise ship in February 2024, and another 4,500 guests on board Queen Mary, the world’s largest cruise ship in April 2024.

Since the beginning of 2023, Khanh Hoa has welcomed 25 cruise ships, bringing nearly 46,000 visitors to the locality, reported the Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism.

Vietnam News Today (Dec. 29): Vietnam Enjoys Trade Surplus of US$125 Billion With European, American Markets Vietnam News Today (Dec. 29): Vietnam enjoys trade surplus of US$125 billion with European, American markets; Warm, sunny weather across Vietnam during New Year holiday; ...

Vietnam News Today (Dec. 30): Vietnam Sees Record Number of International Arrivals in December Vietnam News Today (Dec. 30): Vietnam sees record number of international arrivals in December; Vietnamese Embassy in Laos promotes economic, cultural diplomacy; Vietnamese economy grows ...

Vietnam News Today (Dec. 31): Vietnam Predicted to be Among Top 25 World Economies by 2038 Vietnam News Today (Dec. 31): Vietnam predicted to be among the top 25 world economies by 2038; Vietnam- an ideal destination for digital nomads; Vietnamese ...