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The article on The Independent, a Russian prestigious international news and political analysis site (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam always respects, ensures human rights: Russian expert

Vietnam always recognises basic principles and standards of human rights, and stands ready to perfect this through the implementation of reasonable international recommendations, a Russian expert has said.

Grigory Trofimchuk said in his May 30 article published on The Independent, a Russian prestigious international news and political analysis site, that the religious life is completely open to people in Vietnam, elaborating that up to 95% of its population practice a belief or religion.

The country is home to 43 religious organizations belonging to 16 religions, with over 26.5 million followers, accounting for 27% of the population; more than 54,000 dignitaries; over 135,000 assistants; and nearly 30,000 places of worship, he noted.

Many types of beliefs, and worship relic sites and objects have been recognised as world heritage by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the author said.

Regarding the right to freedom of movement and residence, the expert said the fact that millions of people from all over the world visit the Southeast Asian nation each year is the clearest evidence for this freedom, cited VNA.

Foreigners can come to Vietnam for work or a vacation without any discrimination, of course on the basis of compliance with local law, he said, elaborating adjustments to the Law on Exit and Entry of Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam in 2023, with many new points more convenient for citizens and foreigners.

Over 90 international treaties signed, along with international agreements on visa exemption for Vietnamese citizens with other countries and territories, border agreements with neighboring countries, have facilitated the traveling, he continued.

Trofimchuk stressed the diversity of the media landscape in Vietnam, with one national news agency and 72 radio and television agencies, which, he said, proves the rights to freedom of speech, press and information in the country.

Vietnamese leaders are aware that the enhancement of Vietnam's prestige and position in the region and the world, including economic indicators, is inseparable from improving people's lives, the expert concluded.

TimeOut lists Ho Chi Minh City among world’s 20 best cities for food

British magazine TimeOut has placed Ho Chi Minh City in fourth position among its list of the world’s leading 20 cities for food.

Boasting a range of tastes such as sweet, spicy, fragrant, and fishy, Vietnamese cuisine never compromises on flavor, meaning that food lovers all over the world can sample the very best of it when visiting Ho Chi Minh, the article wrote.

According to the British media outlet, beyond the street side food stalls and bustling markets hawking banh mi, snails, broken rice, and offal stew are a clutch of Bib Gourmand and Michelin-starred restaurants serving up creative versions of classic dishes. However, by far the most mentioned dish in TimeOut’s survey was Pho, a type of local noodle soup.

By far the most mentioned dish in TimeOut’s survey was Pho, a type of local noodle soup. (Photo courtesy of TimeOut)

The warming noodle soup in the south is typically heavily garnished with basil, coriander, chili and hoisin sauce, whilst it is a Vietnamese staple that can be found across the city, TimeOut shared.

“Though Hanoi might be the birthplace of Vietnamese cuisine and culture, Ho Chi Minh City has emerged as the country's most exciting dining destination,” Ho Chi Minh City writer Dan Q Dao said.

TimeOut suggested a visit to Anan Saigon, chef Peter Cuong Franklin's ‘new Vietnamese’ restaurant that has nabbed the city's sole Michelin star; Banh Mi Huynh Hoa, a 30-year-old street food institution specializing in French-influenced Vietnamese baguette sandwiches; and Tre Dining restaurant and gastro-focused wine bar Little Bear.

Topping the list is Naples with the must-eat dish Pizza margherita, followed by Johannesburg with Kota sandwiches.

Other cities to make the list include Lima in Peru, Beijing in China, Bangkok in Thailand, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, and Mumbai in India.

Visitors to second Ho Chi Minh City River Festival have chance to enjoy local dishes

A cuisine space opened on May 31 as part of the second Ho Chi Minh City River Festival.

With 24 booths, the three-day event is introducing to visitors typical dishes and cakes, fruits and products of the river region.

Vice Chairperson of the Ho Chi Minh City Food & Beverage Association (FBA) Nguyen Anh My Hoang said that along with enjoying local dishes, visitors can take part in entertainment activities, and watch art performances.

Cakes in southern region attract visitors to cuisine space (Photo: VNA)

The second Ho Chi Minh City River Festival is taking place from May 31 to June 9, at Nha Rong-Khanh Hoi Wharf, Saigon Cruise Port, and other tourist venues, with the official opening ceremony to be held on May 31 evening.

The festival features a wide range of activities such as cultural and artistic spaces, a culinary competition, a river swimming tournament, a stand-up paddleboarding race, and performances of water motorcycle, parasailing, and sailboats. Besides, discounts ranging from 10 to 60% will be offered for over 50 waterway tours, VNA reported.

With nearly 1,000 km of rivers and canals, HCM City holds the potential for developing attractive waterway tourism products connected with diverse historical and cultural relic sites in the city and other southern provinces.

More Europeans searching for information about Vietnam to travel this summer

Vietnam is Asia’s third fastest growing destination for European globetrotters based on accommodation searches, according to digital travel platform Agoda.

As Europe’s summer approaches, travel insights from digital travel platform Agoda reveal that destinations in Asia not only rank among the most popular outside Europe, but their popularity is increasing compared to last year, with Agoda noting 52% more accommodation searches in April by Europeans for travel to Asia this summer.

According to Agoda’s search data in April, Malaysia saw interest in its attractions increase 89%, while Japan placed second, with 71% more interest noted than last year.

Vietnam took third place, with a 66% increase in interest from travelers in Europe, cited VNS.

Lam Vu, Agoda’s Vietnam Country Director, said: "The increase in searches compared to last year indicates Vietnam’s growing popularity as a summer holiday destination among Europeans. It’s great to see more and more Europeans exploring all that Vietnam has to offer during their getaway periods."

Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An and Nha Trang are the most searched locales in Vietnam by Europeans. These destinations offer a mix of leisure, adventure, and cultural experiences, appealing to travelers seeking to make the most of their long-distance summer holiday, Agoda said.

The European markets with the most searches for travel to Vietnam in April were France, Germany, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Spain.

Within Asia, top destinations in Asia for European travelers are Thailand, Indonesia, and Japan, respectively. This reflects the wide appeal of Asian destinations to travelers with a variety of interests.

Whether seeking the vibrant street life and historic sites in Bangkok or riding the rolling waves on the surf-friendly coasts of Bali, European tourists are looking to explore what Asia has on offer.

The referenced data originates from accommodation searches conducted on Agoda in April 2024, compared against searches conducted in April 2023, specifically for check-in dates between July and August.

Agoda, a digital travel platform, helps anyone see the world for less with its great value deals on a global network of 4.2 million hotels and holiday properties worldwide, plus flights, activities, and more.

Tropical depression strengthens into Storm Maliksi

A tropical depression in the northern part of Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago has strengthened into Storm Maliksi, which is expected to slam into China’s Guangdong province and not to affect Vietnam’s mainland, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

At 1:00 p.m. on May 31, the center of the storm was located in the southern waters of Guangdong province, with winds near its eye reaching between 62km and 74km per hour

In the next 24 hours, Maliksi will travel north-northeast at a speed of about 10km per hour and pound the southern part of Guangdong, before gradually weakening into a low pressure area.

This is the first tropical storm of this kind that has hit the East Sea this year, VOV reported.

Photo: VOV

Though Maliksi is said not to slam into Vietnam, it will cause strong winds and rough seas in the northwest part of the East Sea, as well as coastal localities from Da Nang to Binh Thuan from May 31 to June 1.

Moreover, there will also be showers and strong thunderstorms happening in the Gulf of Tonkin, the North East Sea, and coastal provinces from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai, as well as southern localities from Binh Thuan to Ca Mau.

Meteorologists warned all vessels operating in these areas are at high risk of being affected by tornadoes, strong gusts, and high waves at sea.

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