Covid-19 vaccination. Photo: VNA

Vietnam reports 242 new Covid-19 cases on November 13

Vietnam recorded 242 new Covid-19 cases on November 13, according to the Ministry of Health.

The new cases brought the country’s total number of infections to 11,508,689.

Meanwhile, 70 patients were declared to be free from the disease on the same day, lifting the total number of recoveries to 10,605,937.

The death toll was kept at 43,166, accounting for 0.4% of the total infections, cited VNA.

More than 262.63 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered in the country so far.

Vietnam greatly values comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia

Vietnam places importance on the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia and pays attention to boosting mutually beneficial cooperation across a variety of fields.

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son made the statement while meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on November 12 on the occasion of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.

In turn, Lavrov said his nation always regards Vietnam as an important partner in the region and hopes that the Southeast Asian nation will continue to act as a bridge helping Russia expand relations with other ASEAN members.

The two ministers showed their elation to see that Vietnam-Russia political ties have been maintained through conversations and meetings in all channels.

They concurred to soon organise the 24th meeting of the Vietnam - Russia Intergovernmental Committee on economic - trade and scientific - technical cooperation to identify collaboration orientations for the time ahead, according to VOV.

At the meeting between Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. Photo: VOV

Both sides shared the view that the two foreign ministries should keep bringing into play their coordinating role in stepping up the implementation of agreements reached between senior Vietnamese and Russian leaders, and enhance their ties, including in the implementation of the ministries’ cooperation plan.

Regarding the Ukraine situation, Son said Vietnam always pays attention to and keeps a close watch on developments, affirming Vietnam’s consistent stance that all disputes must be resolved via peaceful measures in line with the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, and that it hopes the parties concerned will end the conflict and resume dialogue soon.

He stated that as an active and responsible member of the international community, Vietnam stays ready to help with promoting dialogue and seeking solutions to soon stabilise the situation in Ukraine.

Vietnamese, Japanese PMs agree to boost bilateral ties in all fields

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio on November 13 agreed to maintain the exchange of delegations and intensify bilateral ties in all fields during their meeting in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on the sidelines of the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summits and Related Summits.

They also consented to closely coordinate in holding activities in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2023.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) and his Japanese counterpart Kishida Fumio. Photo: VNA

PM Chinh proposed Japan continue to support Vietnam in developing renewable energy, and soon provide new-generation official development assistance (ODA), and cooperate in responding to climate change, and create conditions for the country to access the aid of 10 billion USD that PM Kishida committed at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP 26).

He also expressed his hope that the Japanese Government will issue policies to support the community of more than 400,000 Vietnamese people in Japan; assist in human resource training; and facilitate the issuance of visas for Vietnamese citizens.

PM Kishida affirmed Vietnam holds a leading important position in the implementation of Japan's foreign policy in the region, adding that Japan will soon provide new-generation ODA for the Southeast Asian country and support Vietnam in socio-economic development, industrialisation and modernisation and green transformation.

Agreeing to coordinate closely in promoting the export of agricultural products of both countries, PM Kishida informed that Japan will officially announce the opening of its market for Vietnamese longan in November, reported VNA.

The two PMs also exchanged views on the South China Sea issue and several regional and international matters of mutual concern, and agreed to closely coordinate in multilateral cooperation mechanisms such as ASEAN, Mekong sub-region, the United Nations and activities on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between ASEAN and Japan next year.

Vietnam's Tam Dao and Moc Chau honored at World Travel Awards

Vietnam's Tam Dao Town and Moc Chau District were honored at the 29th World Travel Awards ceremony held in Oman on November 11.

Tam Dao Town in the northern mountainous province of Vinh Phuc has been awarded the title of the world’s leading town destination for the first time. The town has surpassed many world-famous destinations such as Hana (Hawaii, the US) or Shirakawa-go (Gifu, Japan). Also nominated in this category were five other towns from other countries: Czech, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Nepal, the US and New Zealand.

Tam Dao Town in Vinh Phuc Province is located on the Tam Dao Mountain range at more than 1,000m above sea level. It’s one of the most attractive destinations in northern Vietnam, cited NDO.

Tam Dao Town fully converges all types of tourism: history, culture, spirituality, adventure discovery, ecology, and resort, and is an attractive destination on the tourist map of Vietnam and the world.

The representative of Vinh Phuc Province received the World Travel Awards. Source: baovinhphuc.vn

In recent time, Tam Dao has been receiving investment, gradually improving its service infrastructure, and affirming its position as a national key tourist area. This event once again affirms the outstanding and unique value of Tam Dao.

Moc Chau District of Son La Province was also named World's Leading Regional Nature Destination.

Becoming the World's Leading Regional Nature Destination is not only an honour but also an important milestone for Moc Chau to continue to promote, exploit and promote its natural and cultural values.

At the same time, this is also an opportunity to promote the image of Moc Chau of Vietnam to a large number of international friends through the world's major press agencies.

The annual awards are based on votes cast by travel industry professionals and the public.

The World Travel Awards, launched in 1993, aim to acknowledge excellence in the tourism industry and have been described as the "travel industry's equivalent of the Oscars."

Americans, Vietnamese book most Son Doong tours for 2023

Nearly 80% of bookings for tours to the world's largest cave Son Doong for next year have come from Vietnamese and American tourists, according to travel agency Oxalis.

Oxalis, the only firm to offer Son Doong expeditions, said 900 visitors have booked for the tours, with 40% of them or 360, being Vietnamese.

A campsite inside Son Doong Cave, Quang Binh. Photo: Shutterstock

Among foreign nationals, Americans topped the list with 330 bookings, followed by Australians and Singaporeans with 45 each.

This year, 1,000 joined the Son Doong tours, including 91 foreigners, VOV reported.

Son Doong, part of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in the central province of Quang Binh, has catapulted to global fame since it opened to tourists in 2013.

Provincial authorities only allow tours to the cave between January and August, with the cave closed during other months to allow its ecosystem to recover. Visitor numbers are also limited to 1,000 per year.

A four-day-three-night expedition of Son Doong Cave cost around US$3,000 before the pandemic, which will be the same price for 2023.

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