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Deputy Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Duong Xuan Huyen speaks at the working session with the delegation (Photo: VNA)

UNESCO experts assess dossier seeking global status for Lang Son Geopark

A delegation of experts from UNESCO made a field trip to the northern province of Lang Son from July 6 -10 for on-site assessment of the dossier submitted to the organization to seek the organization's recognition of Lang Son Geopark as a global one.

The delegation visited 26 out of the 38 attractions across four tourism routes of Lang Son Geopark, spanning the districts of Bac Son, Binh Gia, Van Quan, Huu Lung, Chi Lang, Cao Loc, and Loc Binh, and Lang Son city.

Deputy Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Duong Xuan Huyen emphasized that the locality has identified and prioritized tourism as a spearhead economic sector, therefore Lang Son recently invested in developing infrastructure for several potential tourist areas and destinations, including the Lang Son Geopark, cited VNA.

Local authorities have also issued numerous policies and mechanisms, and accelerated administrative reforms to create a favorable environment for attracting resources and investment for tourism development, he said.

The province is striving to develop the geopark to meet the criteria for recognition as a global geopark, thus conserving and promoting the comprehensive values of geological heritage, culture, history, archaeology, and biodiversity, as well as outstanding scenic landscapes of the region, he added.

The official expressed his hope that UNESCO experts will provide recommendations to the province for maximizing the potential of the Lang Son Geopark for tourism development, contributing to creating new and sustainable livelihoods for the local community, and promoting socio-economic development of the locality and the northeastern region of Vietnam.

Tuncer and Kristin, experts of the UNESCO Global Geopark Network , stated that they are conducting on-site assessments to provide the most accurate evaluation, contributing to the better development of the geopark.

Covering 4,842 sq.km. across eight district-level localities, Lang Son Geopark is one of the largest of its kind in Vietnam and boasts a number of unique values.

In terms of geology, geomorphology and landscape, it is home to a rich diversity of paleontological fossils dating back as far as 500 million years, many of which indicate this province used to be under the sea in the past. Moreover, this park is endowed with many renowned landscapes such as the low mountain ranges surrounding valleys and villages in Yen Thinh commune of Huu Lung district, or the caves like Tham Khuyen in Binh Gia district that accommodated prehistoric humans.

Regarding cultural values, it houses a number of temples dedicated to the gods in the worship of Mother Goddesses – an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, especially Bac Le Temple, as well as villages of Tay and Nung ethnic groups with distinctive cultures.

The locality has initially developed four routes comprising 38 tourist attractions within the geopark. Local authorities are taking various measures for improving public awareness of the park’s values as well as protecting and making use of its values for tourism development.

Vietnam – RoK trade moves closer to the US$100 billion mark

The recovery of two-way trade between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea has been on the right path this year following a stiff fall last year, with the import-export turnover hitting US$38.4 billion in the first six months of 2024.

Of the total figure, Vietnam spent US$26.2 billion on imports, up 7.4% over the same period last year. It mainly purchased machinery and input materials for processing and manufacturing industries.

Meanwhile, the RoK increased the import of key Vietnamese products such as electronics, textiles, and spare parts, driving up its import turnover from Vietnam to US$10.2 billion.

According to the Asia-Africa Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the RoK is an important supplier of input materials for Vietnamese industries, especially for processing and manufacturing. In terms of petroleum alone, it sold US$3.2 billion worth of the products to Vietnam last year.

Experts say bilateral trade between Vietnam and the RoK is supported by many factors, first and foremost the growing relationship between the two countries that was upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022.

The RoK is currently the largest foreign investor in Vietnam, so import-export activities are largely supported by Korean businesses operating in the country. With its facilities operating in Thai Nguyen, Bac Giang and Ho Chi Minh City, Samsung Electronics alone generated a turnover of nearly US$56 billion last year.

Large Korean economic corporations in Vietnam play an important role in improving production and export capacity, helping local businesses gradually engage more deeply and broadly in the global value chain, especially in the fields of electronics, automobiles, mechanics, metallurgy, chemicals, textiles, and footwear, according to VOV.

A B2B matching sesion between Vietnamese and Korean businesses at a recent workshop in Hanoi. (Photo: KOTRA)

The Vietnam - Korea Free Trade Agreement (VKFTA) which has been enforced for nearly 10 years also gives a big boost to import, export and investment thanks to numerous preferential tariffs on offer. In addition, two-way trade is also fuelled by the implementation of multilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) to which the two countries are signatories, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and ASEAN-Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA).

Another advantage is that the export structure between Vietnam and the RoK is clearly complementary and has little direct competition. Trade activities between the two countries will flourish as soon as tech giants such as Samsung and LG concretize their investment commitments to expand production in Vietnam.

Trade exchanges between the two countries are gathering full steam following a period of stagnation last year. At a recent meeting with the Speaker of the RoK National Assembly in Seoul, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed that the RoK open up more to Vietnam’s strong export items, including agricultural and aquatic products, and at the same time remove trade barriers.

Two-way trade is moving closer to the US$100 billion mark this year. Experts expect the success of the PM’s recent visit to the RoK along with numerous cooperation agreements signed during the visit will prompt bilateral trade exchanges to proceed in the coming months.

Heat wave intensifies in north, temperatures rise to 39 degrees Celsius

A hot low pressure area in the west is increasing its intensity and is expected to grip the entire northern and north-central regions next week that will cause temperatures to rise up to 38 – 39 degrees Celsius, according to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

Most localities, except for some mountainous provinces, will be bathed in hot sunshine from early morning. As it gets closer to noon and afternoon, the sun becomes stronger in intensity, along with the hot, stuffy air.

The heat wave is anticipated to bake northern localities from July 9 - 13, and central localities from July 8 - 14, with daytime temperatures likely to climb to 35 – 38 degrees Celsius, VOV reported.

Scorching heat is expected to grip northern and central localities of Vietnam next week.

Some mountainous localities in the west will even record 38 – 39 degrees Celsius from July 12 – 14, when the heat wave reaches its peak.

Meanwhile, northern mountainous localities will get showers and thunderstorms in a couple of days due to the influence of the wind convergence zone above 1,500-3,000 m before enduring the scorching heat.

According to the meteorological agency, in July the average temperature nationwide is 0.5-1 degree Celsius higher than the average for many years in the same period. The East Sea is likely to brace for one or two storms or tropical depressions that could affect the mainland.

Six-month growth higher than expected: official

The better-than-expected growth and a big trade surplus were among the results recorded during the first half of 2024, heard the Government’s regular press meeting held in Hanoi on July 6.

Minister - Chairman of the Government’s Office Tran Van Son, who is also Spokesman of the Government, said that generally speaking, the economy recovered to the pre-COVID-19 level during the first six months and continued the positive trend, with performance improving month over month and quarter over quarter.

Many important results were obtained, and most areas saw better performance than in the same period of 2023, he said, elaborating that the gross domestic product (GDP) strongly rebounded to grow 6.93% in the second quarter and 6.42% in H1, much higher than the 3.84% recorded during the same period last year and also better than the 5.5 -6% scenario set in the Government’s Resolution 01-CP.

The macro-economy has been kept stable, inflation under control, and major economic balances ensured. The six-month consumer price index (CPI) increased 4.08%, with the core inflation up 2.75%. Energy and food security has also been guaranteed.

Notably, exports continued soaring. Overseas shipments rose 14.5% while imports climbed 17% during H1, resulting in a trade surplus of 11.63 billion USD, helping ensure the balance of payments, Son noted.

The service and tourism sectors have also bounced back strongly. Total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue increased 8.6%. Meanwhile, the number of international arrivals topped 8.8 million in six months, surging 58.4% year on year and 4.1% from the same period of 2019 before the pandemic broke out.

The official also underlined encouraging results in the financial and state budget situation, development investment, foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction, enterprise development, social security, per capita income, cultural and sports aspects, administrative reform, external affairs, and integration into the world, cited VNA.

Minister - Chairman of the Government’s Office and Government Spokesman Tran Van Son addressed the press meeting on July 6. (Photo: VNA)

However, Son added, officials also pointed out certain problems and challenges needing to be addressed such as the pressure on inflation, foreign exchange rates, and macro-economic stability, production and business hindrances in some areas, slow public investment disbursement, and the sluggish settlement of obstacles in the real estate market.

To achieve the growth target for H2 and create momentum for next year, the Government will continue to prioritize promoting growth in tandem with keeping macro-economic stability, controlling inflation, ensuring major balances of the economy, carrying out a reasonably expanded and focus-driven fiscal policy that is coordinated harmoniously with and facilitates the implementation of a proactive, flexible, timely, and efficient monetary policy.

Financial and budgetary discipline will also be tightened, the budget collection management enhanced, and state budget expenditure reduced, the Spokesman noted.

In addition, the Government will push forward with digital transformation; the exemption, reduction, and extension of the payment deadlines of taxes, fees, charges, and land use fees; along with obstacle removal to facilitate the real estate, corporate bond, and stock markets.

Electricity and petrol supply will be ensured for economic activities and consumption, Son went on, adding that key infrastructure projects will be accelerated while the traditional growth drivers (investment, export, consumption) renewed, and new growth drivers strongly promoted.

The Government is also set to step up institutional and legal perfection, administrative procedure reform, and national digital transformation, he told the press meeting.

Vietnam tops Southeast Asia Rowing and Canoeing tournament medal tally

Vietnam topped the medal tally at the 2024 Southeast Asia Rowing and Canoeing, U19 and U23 Championships that concluded in the northern port city of Hai Phong on July 7.

The Vietnamese team won 58 gold, 53 silver and 33 bronze medals.

It was followed by Thailand with 13 gold, 14 silver and 32 bronze medals. Singapore came third, bringing home nine gold, 11 silver and 11 bronze medals.

Indonesia, Malaysia, and Cambodia took the next positions in the sequence, WVR reported.

Vietnam tops the medal tally at the 2024 Southeast Asia Rowing and Canoeing, U19 and U23 Championships. (Source: VNA)

The Southeast Asia Rowing and Canoeing, U19 and U23 Championships is the leading prestigious tournament in Southeast Asia.

Started on June 27, this year it brought together more than 500 athletes and coaches, with 264 for rowing and nearly 300 for canoeing, from seven Southeast Asian nations, namely Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and host Vietnam.

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