At the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC) Central Committee's training course in Hanoi on November 10. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam prepares for 11th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of IFRC

A training course on diplomatic and security activities in preparation for the upcoming 11th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) was held in Hanoi on November 10.

Organized by the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC) Central Committee, which is also the host of the conference, the course provided VRC staff members and volunteers with basic knowledge about necessary reception works and skills to handle situations arising.

Themed “Becoming disaster ready in Asia Pacific”, the quadrennial conference is scheduled for late November in the capital city. About 350 domestic and foreign delegates are expected to participate in a forum on young leaders’ innovation in coping with catastrophes, along with other sidelines activities, cited VNA.

The event offers an opportunity to promote the image of Vietnam and its people, and enhance development cooperation between the VRC and international partners and organizations and businesses around the world. It will contribute to affirming the commitments by the Vietnamese government, as well as the responsibility for action of Red Cross and Red Crescent societies in the region in climate change and catastrophe response.

The IFRC is the largest humanitarian network in the world, with 192 member societies.

Diverse activities launched in Turin to enhance Vietnam-Italy partnership

The Vietnamese Embassy in Italy has launched a broad array of activities in the Italian city of Turin to boost the bilateral partnership in politics, economics, and culture, as well as marking the 50th founding anniversary of joint diplomatic ties.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung recently held a working session alongside Michela Favaro, vice mayor of the City of Turin, who emphasized that Turin and Vietnamese localities boast great cooperation potential and opportunities.

Favaro said that the City of Turin, which is strong in industrial production, manufacturing, automobile production, energy transition, and digitalisation, as well as urban management, heritage conservation, education, training and research, tourism, and event organization, wishes to promote further linkages with Vietnamese localities and partners in these fields.

The official affirmed that Turin will help to promote the image of Vietnam and send delegations to the Southeast Asian country as a means of seeking new collaboration opportunities with Vietnamese localities, especially Ho Chi Minh City which has already set up twinned relations with Turin.

Ambassador Duong Hai Hung addresses the opening of the culture promotion and exchange program in Turin. (Photo: VNA)

Ambassador Hung stated the view that Turin and Ho Chi Minh City should step up cooperation in the areas of economics, urban management, culture, and heritage conservation, as well as during the implementation of the idea to organize the Vietnamese Year in Turin and the Italian Year in Ho Chi Minh City, which was granted approval during the recent visit to Turin by Vo Van Hoan, vice chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee.

The diplomat also expressed his hope that Turin will view Vietnam as a priority country in its internationalization policy, while promoting partnership with the nation in trade, investment and technology transfer, whilst supporting the Vietnamese side in human resource training and designing economic transformation policies to mee green, digital, sustainable, and circular needs in the coming time.

At the recent Vietnam-Turin Economic Forum, Ambassador Hung stated that Turin and the Piedmonte region boast strengths in industrial production, automobile manufacturing, banking, and services, all of which match the demand of Vietnam during the country’s modernisation and industrialisation process, especially in the fields of basic industry, manufacturing, machinery production, high-tech agriculture, research, innovation, banking, and financial services, according to VOV.

The diplomat pledged that the Vietnamese Embassy stands ready to support and accompany Italian companies in tapping into business opportunities within the Vietnamese market. He also used the occasion to introduce the nation’s new visa policy which aims to lure more tourists and businesses to the country.

Upon addressing the forum, Guido Bolatto, secretary general of the Turin Chamber of Commerce, noted that the presence of local prestigious firms such as Lavazza, Aurora, and Pinifarina showed their interest in the Vietnamese market, affirming that this is a good time for both sides to bolster their comprehensive and strong cooperation ties.

Fulvio Albano, president of the Asia Economic Cultural Council of Italy, highlighted Vietnam as a potential market and a gateway to Southeast Asia, as well as the close relations that exist between Vietnam and Turin which is considered a Vietnamese center in Italy.

Meanwhile, Duong Phuong Thao, Vietnamese Trade Counselor, pointed out 10 reasons why financiers should choose Vietnam as an investment destination, including having a favorable geographical location, a stable government with a firm economic vision, a young workforce, and a wide network of 18 free trade agreements that the nation has signed with partners.

During his stay in Turin, Ambassador Hung also held meetings with leaders of major local businesses to discuss specific measures which seek to promote their collaboration with Vietnamese partners.

As part of the occasion, the Vietnamese Embassy also organized a program on Vietnamese culture promotion and exchange at the University of Turin, which comprised of an art exhibition and an event to introduce Vietnamese traditional cuisine.

Stefano Geuna, principal of the University of Turin, said that the university plans to launch a Vietnamese faculty ahead in 2024, thereby becoming the third university in Italy to teach the Vietnamese language.

Within the program's framework, a talk show on the similarities between Vietnamese and Italian cultures was also held, featuring the participation of a large number of cultural experts from both sides.

Vietnamese, Japanese geoparks sign MoU on cooperation

A ceremony was held in the northern province of Ha Giang on November 10 to sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between UNESCO Global Geopark Dong Van Karst Plateau and aspiring UNESCO Global Geopark Mine-Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau of Japan.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Duc Quy said through the cooperation program, both sides will assist each other in all aspects, thereby promoting the sustainability of both geoparks. He suggested that they should cooperate in investment and sustainable economic development, such as tourism and production of traditional handicraft products in which both sides have strengths.

Takahiro Koda, Director of the Mine - Akiyoshidai Karst Plateau, described Japan as one of the top destinations for Vietnamese tourists and Vietnam as a preferred destination for Japanese travelers.

Via the program, the two geoparks will facilitate tourism cooperation activities, exchange of delegations, and promote marketing efforts to attract tourists, VNA reported.

At the signing ceremony (Photo: VNA)

At the signing ceremony, both sides discussed effective measures to tap the potential advantages and support each other in developing sustainable tourism.

They will step up tourism training activities aimed at improving the quality of products and services. Dialogues involving university students, interns and student exchanges will be organized. Various cultural exchanges, festivals, events, investment promotion activities, market surveys, and tourist exchanges between the two destinations are also planned.

Dong Van Karst Plateau was recognized by UNESCO as a Global Geopark in 2010, boasting unique cultural, historical, geological values, and majestic landscapes.

The number of visitors to Ha Giang, which was only 2,000 in 2010, has increased rapidly, reaching 2.2 million in 2022, and is expected to exceed 3 million this year.

At the 10th International Conference on UNESCO Global Geopark held in Morocco in early September, the Dong Van Karst Plateau was continued to be recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark for the third time by the UNESCO Global Geopark Council.

On September 6, Ha Giang was honored to be named the top emerging destination in Asia at the World Travel Awards.

Six Vietnamese movies to be screened at Asian world film festival

A total of six local movies are set to be introduced to international audiences at the ninth edition of the Asian world film festival (AWFF) which is currently underway in Los Angeles, California, the US.

“Tro tan ruc ro” (“Glorious Ashes”), “Nha Ba Nu” (“The House Of No Man”), “Con Nhot mot chong” (“Nhot Must Marry”), and “Doa hoa mong manh” (“A Fragile Flower”), will be screened at the festival’s Vietnam film days alongside two short films as part of the occasion.

This marks the first time that the event has had Vietnam film days taking place as one of the activities during the course of the AWFF, cited VOV.

A scene in “Con Nhot mot chong” (“Nhot Must Marry”) movie.

Among the 100 films from 50 Asian countries, “Tro tan ruc ro” (“Glorious Ashes”) and “Lang gio” (“Wind”) will represent the nation to compete in long and short film categories.

Furthermore, director Mai Thu Huyen who is in charge of “Doa hoa mong manh” (“A Fragile Flower”) has been invited to work as a judge in the short film category.

The annual AWFF will last through to November 17, showcasing the best of a broad selection of Asian and global cinema in Los Angeles as part of efforts to draw greater recognition to the region's wealth of filmmakers whilst strengthening ties between the Asian and Hollywood film industries.

US travel guide reveals 10 best beaches in Vietnam

Travel publisher Lonely Planet of the United States has suggested the 10 best beaches to visit in the nation, with famous sites such as Hoi An, Phu Quoc, and Nha Trang featured on the list.

The nation might not have the same reputation as its Southeast Asian neighbors when it comes to leaning palms and turquoise waters, but it's 3400km of coast hides its fair share of resplendent beaches, many of which are spots suitable for families, as well as quiet coves to escape the crowds.

The globally-renowned travel guide dubbed An Bang in Hoi An city as one of the nation’s most happening and enjoyable beaches with a wonderful stretch of fine sand and an enormous horizon.

Fringed with white-sand beaches and with large tracts of the interior which are still cloaked in dense tropical jungle, Phu Quoc has rapidly morphed from a sleepy island backwater into a must-visit beach escape for both Western expats and sun-seeking tourists, the article explained.

Phu Quoc is a must-visit beach escape for both Western expats and sun-seeking tourists. (Photo: Internet)

According to author James Pham, forming a magnificent sweeping arc, Nha Trang's six km-long golden-sand beach is the central city's trump card, whilst there are plenty of very reasonably priced island-hopping tours available which include lunch and snorkeling. The beaches north of Nha Trang, situated around Ninh Van Bay, are also worthy of a day trip.

Isolated from the mainland, the islands of Con Dao are one of the country’s star attractions. Con Son is the largest of the chain of 15 islands and islets and is ringed with lovely beaches, coral reefs, and scenic bays, whilst it remains partially covered in tropical forests.

Mui Ne represents the jewel of Vietnamese beach resorts and is the next Vietnamese destination to make the list. Kitesurfing is also a huge draw as there are several excellent schools locally and world-class wind conditions between late October and April.

Stretching for 18km, the chalk-white sands and shallow turquoise waters of Doc Let ensure that it ranks among the nation’s best beaches.

With golden sands, clear waters, and a journey time from Ho Chi Minh City of just two and a half hours, Ho Coc beach – which stretches for almost 10km north of Ho Tram – is a tempting place to stop.

Finally, My Khe beach in Da Nang also makes the list, with the site boasting a superb beach with fine white sand and good swimming opportunities.

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