Vietnam News Today (May 4): Vietnam Considers Peru a Leading Partner in Region

Ambassador Dang Minh Khoi and his guests in a group photo. (Source: VNA)

Vietnam, Russia seek joint literate, art projects

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi on May 2 hosted a reception for Chairman of the Association of Russian Diplomats Igor Khalevinsky, and writer-poet Svetlana Savitskaya.

Savitskaya, who is also founder of the Golden Pen of Russia National Literary Award, expressed her special sentiments to Vietnam, and a hope that her work, penned after her Vietnam visits, will be translated into Vietnamese.

The writer-poet said she is ready to engage in joint literature and art projects, suggesting her Vietnamese and Russian colleagues actively participate in relevant festivals in both countries, cited VNA.

For his part, Khalevinsky affirmed the Russian side’s support for such joint projects, which are expected to contribute to enhancing contacts and understanding of Vietnamese and Russian culture and arts between the two countries’ people.

Ambassador Khoi highlighted the traditional literature and art cooperation between Vietnam and Russia, saying it should be stepped up, especially through joint projects.

On this occasion, Savitskaya presented the Vietnamese versions of her two works to the embassy.

Vietnam considers Peru a leading partner in region

Vietnam attaches importance to strengthening relations with Peru, a leading partner in the region, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son told his Peruvian counterpart Javier Gonzalez Olaechea in Paris on May 2.

Meeting the Peruvian diplomat on the sidelines of the 2024 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM), Son said Vietnam appreciates positive developments in relations with Peru in recent times, noting bilateral trade is continuously increasing, making Peru one of Vietnam’s top five important economic partners in the region.

Son thanked the Government and people of Peru for donating the COVID-19 vaccine, helping Vietnam soon overcome the pandemic and recover the economy.

Discussing measures to further promote bilateral relations, the two sides agreed to organize activities in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Peru (1994 - 2024), according to VOV.

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and his Peruvian counterpart Javier Gonzalez Olaechea meets in Paris on May 2, on the sidelines of the 2024 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

The two sides will maintain the exchange of high-level delegations, and strengthen coordination and mutual support within the framework of the United Nations, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTTP), contributing to the success of the 2024 APEC Economic Leaders’ Summit hosted by Peru in November 2024.

The two Ministers expected to further enhance the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation, especially in politics, diplomacy, trade and investment between the two countries, and at the same time seek solutions to iron out snags in economic relations.

They also agreed to effectively deploy cooperation mechanisms, and strengthen the signing and implementation of specialized cooperation agreements to promote multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnam among Koreans’ most favourite destinations in 2024 summer

Accordingly, the number of hotel bookings by RoK visitors in the Philippines and Vietnam for the June - August period increased by 3.1 times and 3 times, respectively, compared to the same period in 2023.

Statistics from the Yeogi Eottae website released on May 2 indicated that as of late April, the number of hotel bookings in the two Southeast Asian countries is leading in the region.

Southeast Asian countries are emerging as popular tourist destinations for Koreans in 2024 summer of 2024, VNA reported.

Passengers are waiting at the Incheon International Airport of the RoK for a flight to Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

Kim Yong-gyeong, head of Yeogi Eottae, said the increase in demand for travel to Southeast Asian countries is very noteworthy.

Meanwhile, Hanoi topped the trend index ranking of Vietnam's favorite tourist destinations by the end of April released by Rankify Korea with 1,788 points.

It was followed by Da Lat and Ha Long Bay with 1,379 points and 796 points, respectively.

According to Rankify Korea’s ranking, favorite tourist destinations in Vietnam are currently receiving significant attention from Korean visitors.

The trend index is calculated by adding the search volume of keywords and Google Trends data from the previous week.

Kim Sang-sik picked as head coach of Vietnam football teams

Kim Sang-sik, former coach of Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of the Republic of Korea, has been chosen by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) to coach the Vietnam national football team and the Vietnam U23 football team.

Kim will manage the two national teams under a contract lasting from May 1, 2024 to March 3, 2026.

The contract will be signed in Hanoi on May 6, and the new coach will also make his debut on the same day.

Over the past weeks, VFF has made contact with potential candidates, including Kim, and they both reached consensus on a two-year contract during a working session on May 3.

Kim’s first task is to lead the national football team to the last two matches of the second qualifying round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in June, 2024.

He will then train his players during the FIFA Days between September and November in preparation for the 2024 ASEAN Cup – Mitsubishi Electric Cup in late November and the third qualifying round of the 2027 Asian Cup in March 2025.

Meanwhile, the Vietnam U23 team will play at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup qualification in September 2025 and then the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in December 2025.

Kim was a mid-fielder and had many times played for the national RoK team. He helped Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors win the 2021 Korean Football Championship (K-League) and win the 2022 Korean FA Cup. He was awarded the K-League excellent coach of the 2021 football season and the Korean Football Association’s excellent coach of the year 2022.

However, Kim was fired in early 2023 because of Jeonbuk’s poor start, winning three out of 10 matches, cited VOV.

Kim Sang-sik, new head coach of the Vietnam national football team, and Vietnam U23 team.

Kim was chosen following Philippe Troussier’s departure last March. Under the French coach’s reign Vietnamese football fell into its worst slump. They suffered 10 losses out of 11 matches, including seven consecutive losses in official matches. Vietnam also dropped out of the top 100 on the FIFA rankings.

Kim’s decision to go to Vietnam was greatly influenced by his successor Park Hang-seo, who had achieved the greatest results in Vietnam’s football history.

During his five-year career in Vietnam, Park led Vietnam to second place in the 2018 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Asian Cup, first place of the 2018 ASEAN Football Confederation (AFF) Cup, quarterfinals of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, and champions of the 2019 and 2021 Southeast Asian Games.

Park also led Vietnam to the final qualifiers for the 2022 Qatar World Cup for the first time in history.

Long holidays help tourism prosper

The average hotel room occupancy rate was estimated at 60 percent during the five-day holiday for this year's Reunification Day (April 30) and Labor Day (May 1) from April 27- May 1, reaching over 70 percent on peak days.

Some accommodation facilities in the coastal areas achieved full occupancy rates of 95-100 percent.

The tourism sector served about 8 million tourists during the holidays, up 14.2 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

A sharp increase in the number of visitors claiming a jump in revenue

Tourist areas, cultural and historical sites in HCMC, such as Dam Sen Cultural Park, Suoi Tien Tourist Area, and Cu Chi Tunnels received a large number of visitors.

The city’s tourism sector served over one million domestic and foreign visitors, earning VND3,200 billion (US$126.2 million).

Meanwhile, the capital city of Hanoi welcomed nearly 738,000 travelers, including 87,000 international arrivals, up 48 percent compared to the same period last year. Total revenue from tourism during a five-day break for National Reunification and May Day holidays reached VND2,500 billion, posting a 10 percent year-on-year increase.

Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province received 186,238 travelers, including 28,872 foreign visitors, presenting an increase of 92 percent.

HCMC’s neighboring province of Tay Ninh saw a number of more than 78,000 tourists during the five-day holiday from April 27 to May 1.

Da Lat City in the central highland province of Lam Dong greeted around 170,000 visitors, up 41.7 percent, Head of the Department of Culture and Information of Da Lat City Le Anh Kiet said.

The south-central provinces of Binh Thuan and Khanh Hoa welcomed more than 220,000 and 262,000 holiday-makers respectively, cited SGGP.

Pham Van Dong beach in Da Nang is flooded by a sea of people during the five-day break to mark Reunification Day and May Day holidays. (Photo: SGGP)

The northern coastal province of Ha Tinh witnessed a sharp increase in the number of visitors of 602,926, up 20 percent while Thua Thien–Hue province welcomed 58,000 travelers, earning VND170 billion in revenue.

The number of visitors to Da Nang City by train during this holiday increased by over 60 percent compared to the same period last year.

Binh Dinh Province’s tourism sector achieved revenue of VND305 billion, presenting a year-on-year increase of 18.5 percent.

Improving the quality of services to attract visitors

On May 1, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Kon Plong District of the central highland province of Kontum Pham Van Thang said that about 50,000 tourists visited the Mang Den National Ecotourism Area. The locality coordinated with the Mang Den Tourism Association to arrange additional accommodation facilities for tourists during the peak days of the holiday and ensure security and order at tourist sites and spots.

According to the Department of Tourism of Kien Giang Province, total revenue from tourism during a five-day break for National Reunification and May Day holidays was estimated at nearly VND590 billion. Phu Quoc International Airport received 178 flights, including 60 aircraft from South Korea, Taiwan (China), Thailand, Malaysia, Uzbekistan, and more.

Kien Giang Province has proactively coordinated with the functional agencies and units to strengthen inspection to ensure compliance with regulations, the quality of services, food hygiene and safety, and price registration.

However, a hike in air ticket prices for domestic flights from Hanoi, Hai Phong, and HCMC to Phu Quoc and temporary suspension of flights on routes including Hanoi-Rach Gia, Da Nang/Can Tho/Vinh/Thanh Hoa/Lam Dong - Phu Quoc have reduced the competitiveness of Phu Quoc’s tourist attractions.

The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho organized a wide range of cultural and sports activities during holidays, such as photo exhibitions marking the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory, Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day, and World Book and Copyright Day to attract many holidaymakers.

Additionally, Ca Mau province greeted more than 212,000 visitors and earned VND166 billion in revenue, up two percent compared to the same period last year.

Many supermarkets in HCMC have been filled with shoppers during a five-day break for National Reunification and May Day holidays.

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