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Photo: VNA

PM Pham Minh Chinh leaves for official visit to RoK

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse Le Thi Bich Tran and a Vietnamese delegation left Hanoi on June 30 morning for an official visit to the Republic of Korea from June 30-July 3 at the invitation of RoK Prime Minister Han Duck Soo and his spouse.

This is the first official visit of a high-ranking Vietnamese leader to the RoK since the two countries elevated their bilateral relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022. It is also the first visit to the RoK by a Vietnamese Prime Minister over the past five years, and the first by Chinh as the PM of Vietnam.

The visit takes place at a time when the Vietnam-RoK ties are developing strongly, with political trust increasingly strengthened and exchanges of delegations at all levels held regularly. The two countries cooperate closely and support each other in regional and international forums, cited VNA.

The RoK continues to be a leading economic partner of and the largest investor in Vietnam with US$86 billion in investment as of April 2024. The Northeast Asian economic power is also the second largest partner in ODA cooperation of Vietnam, the third largest partner in terms of labor and trade, and the largest source of tourists to Vietnam in 2023.

Bilateral cooperation in other areas, including culture, education, labor, healthcare, people-to-people exchange and local collaboration has been promoted. The Vietnamese community in the RoK now numbers more than 270,000.

PM Chinh’s visit will focus on intensifying cooperation in traditional fields such as politics, national defense, security, economy, labor, culture, tourism, science and technology, healthcare, education, as well as emerging areas in which the RoK has strength and Vietnam has demand like semiconductor, supporting industry, digital and green transition, circular economy, climate change.

The PM will also seek the RoK’s continued support for the Vietnamese community in the RoK and enhance bilateral collaboration in issues of regional and international concerns.

National economy beats growth target, six-month GDP at 6.42%

The national economy of Vietnam has maintained its upward trajectory, expanding by 6.93% in the second quarter of the year, thereby raising first-half growth to 6.42%, reported the General Statistics Office on June 29.

The second-quarter growth is even 0.1% higher than the target the Ministry of Planning and Investment has set in its updated scenario, according to VOV.

The national economy of Vietnam has maintained its recovery trend in the second quarter of 2024, with GDP growing by 6.93%.

In April, the Ministry of Planning and Investment developed a scenario for the economy for the whole year. Accordingly, to secure the 6.5% growth in 2024, the national economy would grow by 6.32% in quarter II, 6.79% in quarter III and 7.08% in quarter IV.

The quarter II figure shows the recovery trend of the national economy on a quarterly basis, creating growth momentum for the next quarters, said Nguyen Thi Huong, head of the General Statistics Office.

Huong attributed the results to efforts by the Government, ministries, agencies, and localities in synchronously and effectively putting many solutions in place, aiming to create a breakthrough driving force for socio-economic development.

Among the major industries, the services industry increased by 6.64%, contributing 49.76% to the national growth. Similarly, the industrial and construction industry grew by 7.51%, contributing 44.28%, while the agro-forestry-fishery industry expanded by 3.38%, contributing 5.96%.

Vietnam welcomes over 8.8 million foreign tourists in six months

Vietnam attracted over 8.8 million international visitors in the first half of 2024, up 4.1% from the same period in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic broke out.

In June alone, Vietnam welcomed more than 1.2 million international tourists, a year-on-year rise of 28.1%, the General Statistics Office (GSO) reported on June 29.

The increase was mainly attributed to the country’s favorable visa policy and enhanced tourism promotion programs by provinces and centrally-run cities nationwide.

Of the total, the number of holidaymakers arriving in Vietnam by air accounted for 83.8%, while those coming by road made up 14.3% and by sea, 1.9%.

Revenues from accommodation and restaurant services were estimated to go up by 15.2% and travel tourism increased 37.1% from the same period last year, cited VNA.

Foreign tourists on cyclo rides in the Old Quarter area of Hanoi. Photo: VNA

Since the beginning of the year, provinces and cities have stepped up tourism promotion and popularization programs to woo both domestic and foreign visitors.

Typically, the capital city of Hanoi has attracted more than 14 million visitors in the first six months, rising 13.7% from a year earlier. That includes 3.16 million foreign arrivals, soaring 52.6% year on year, statistics show.

The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) has also organized various activities to attract international visitors. It has been holding programs to introduce Vietnam’s tourism in Paris (France), Milan (Italy) and Frankfurt (Germany) from June 24 to July 2.

Europe has been a key source of tourists for Vietnam. Last year, Vietnam served over 1.4 million European visitors, up 187% from 2022.

The 2024 Vietnam Culture and Tourism Festival in the Republic of Korea (RoK) will take place from June 29 to July 3, the VNAT said.

Within the framework of the festival, there will be a forum on tourism promotion and cultural cooperation between the two countries, a business meeting with the participation of Vietnam’s senior leaders, a space to promote the image of the Vietnamese country, people, and tourism culture, and art performances.

The VNAT said that this will be an opportunity for it, as well as localities, and businesses to introduce attractive policies, destinations, and products, and also a chance for enterprises to establish business cooperation and attract more Korean tourists.

Last year, Vietnam welcomed 12.6 million foreign tourists, including 3.6 million Koreans, making the RoK top in the number of international visitors to Vietnam.

Meanwhile, around 420,000 Vietnamese people chose the East Asian nation as their holiday destination.

Japan to consider new generation ODA for key Vietnam projects

Japan will consider new generation ODA for Vietnam, with a primary focus on new fields such as digital transformation, green transformation, climate change response and health, alongside infrastructure construction as a traditional field, said newly appointed Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki.

Talking to the press in Hanoi on June 29, Ito cited the joint statement on the establishment of the new partnership framework between the two countries in November 2023, saying the two sides will implement new Japanese ODA projects within the framework of Japan’s new ODA Charter.

He also said Japan recognizes the importance of factors such as high incentives, simple procedures and flexibility with regard to the new generation ODA projects.

Efforts now will be made for projects such as Ho Chi Minh City urban metro line 1, Ben Luc - Long Thanh section of North - South expressway and Hanoi urban metro line 2, according to the diplomat.

The ambassador also highly appreciated Vietnam’s efforts in improving its investment climate, saying more than 2,000 Japanese businesses are operating in Vietnam, VOV reported.

Newly appointed ambassador of Japan to Vietnam Ito Naoki at a press briefing in Hanoi on June 29.

Ito quoted the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) saying Vietnam is the second appealing destination for Japanese businesses and about 60% of Japanese businesses say they want to expand investment there.

According to the diplomat, Vietnam attracts Japanese businesses thanks to its positive economic outlook, a large market of 100 million consumers, and an abundant, quality workforce. In addition, Vietnam is currently considered an important link in the supply chain.

During his meeting with Acting President Vo Thi Anh Xuan in mid-May, Ito said the Japanese Government supports Vietnam in realizing its goal of becoming a developed, high-income country by 2045 with ODA loans as well as expanding cooperation in the fields which are strengths of both sides.

He expressed his wish that Vietnam would continue to improve the business and investment environment and create more favorable conditions for Japanese businesses to operate in the country.

Vietnam home to seven Michelin-starred dining restaurants

Three more Vietnamese restaurants were granted one Michelin star, raising the total number of local Michelin-starred dining establishments to seven.

The three winners are Akuna Restaurant of Le Méridien Saigon Hotel, The Royal Pavilion at the Reverie Saigon Hotel in HCM City and La Maison 1888 inside Da Nang's InterContinental Da Nang Sun Peninsula Resort in Da Nang.

Last year, four restaurants in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City also awarded one Michelin star, including Anan Saigon in HCM City, Gia, Hibana by Koki, and Tam Vi in Ha Noi.

According to the Michelin Guide website, there are over 3,000 Michelin-starred restaurants located across nearly 40 different countries.

In the Special Awards, Young Chef went to Nhat Duy of Ho Chi Minh City’s Thao Dien Ward’s Little Bear, located over the river from District 1.

Meanwhile, 16 restaurants in Da Nang have for the first time joined the Bib Gourmand list of Michelin Guide that honors dining establishments for serving great food at affordable prices, cited VGP.

Photo: Michelin

They are An Thoi, Ba Dong, Banh xeo tom nhay Co Ba, Be Ni 2, Bun bo Ba Roi, Bun cha ca 109, Bun cha ca Hon, Co chu nho, Indian Aroma, My Quang Sua Hong Van, Nam Hien, Ngoc Chi, Phu Hong, Quan Nhan, Rang and Thia Go, Michelin Guide announced at a ceremony on Thursday night.

Last year, 29 restaurants in Hanoi and HCMC received the Bib Gourmand awards.

According to the Michelin Guide, its inspectors assess venues based on five criteria: the personality of the chef as presented in the cuisine, the harmony of flavors, the mastery of cooking techniques, the quality of products, and the consistency both over time and across the entire menu.

In the Michelin system, one star signifies a very good restaurant, two stars mean excellent cooking that is worth a detour, and three stars mean exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey. According to the Michelin Guide website, there are over 3,000 Michelin-starred restaurants in nearly 40 different countries.

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