Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong has left Beijing, China, for Hanoi, concluding his working trip to China where he attended the third Belt and Road Forum.

President’s China trip for Belt and Road Forum a success: Foreign Minister

President Vo Van Thuong and his entourage’s trip to China to attend the third Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) has been a success, achieving the set goals and contributing effectively to the enforcement of foreign policy set by the 13th National Party Congress, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

During an interview granted to the press following the trip, Son said it marked the first multilateral diplomatic activity of President Thuong this year.

Through the forum and sideline activities, Vietnam has affirmed its consistent foreign policy of being a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community, and clear stance on support for multilateralism and initiatives that promote peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world, he said.

According to him, Vietnam together with other ecountries shared experience and discussed cooperation orientations for emerging and widely-concerned topics such as digital transformation, green development, and economic connectivity, contributing to building world and regional economies that are multi-connected, open, inclusive, sustainable, with people at the centre.

The Vietnamese ministries and agencies also had the opportunity to further enhance cooperation with partners from various countries. The outcomes of this forum will support the implementation of Vietnam's "Two Corridors, One Belt" framework and China's "Belt and Road Initiative".

During the two-day forum, President Thuong met with many heads of state and governments, the UN Secretary-General, and leaders of several international organizations, during which partners expressed their appreciation for Vietnam's role and position, and their desire to boost substantive cooperation with Vietnam, expand and deepen ties across economy-trade, sci-tech, education, cultural and people-to-people exchange, cited VOV.

Son said it was also the first time President Thuong had engaged in bilateral meetings with high-ranking Chinese Party and State leaders as head of the Vietnamese State. These meetings were part of a series of high-level interactions between leaders of both Parties and countries since the beginning of this year in the context of celebrations for the 15th anniversary of Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

In particular, the visit contributed to further concretizing the visit of historic significance by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to China in October 2022.

Specifically, he said it has maintained the upward trend of and added new positive momentum to the stable and healthy development of Vietnam-China relationship, raising common awareness of major measures to cultivate substantial cooperation in various areas, and continuing to bolster traditional friendship and strengthening the foundation of public opinions conducive to the development of bilateral ties.

The minister further said that both sides agreed to seriously follow the common perceptions reached by top leaders, adhere to international law, effectively manage and properly handle differences, contributing to maintaining peace and stability in the region.

Green, sustainable tourism becomes major trend

Amid a rising trend of green and sustainable tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam is advised to design a strategy and measures to promote green tourism development and better meet tourists’ demands.

Over the years, Vietnam’s tourism sector has taken big steps forward in terms of visitor numbers and revenue in both domestic and international markets. However, the sector’s growth is putting pressure on the preservation of natural and cultural sites in destinations.

Experts believe that as the country's tourism is mainly based on available natural and cultural resources, ensuring its green development and responsibility to the environment and society is the only way for the sector to grow and become a national spearhead economic sector, according to VNS.

Photo: VNS

The Eurobarometer survey on Attitudes of Europeans towards tourism shows that COVID-19 will likely have long-term impacts on EU citizens’ travelling behavior, while also demonstrating the growing importance of sustainable tourist offers for the recovery of tourism.

The survey found that 38 per cent of European respondents expect more domestic travelling in the future. A large majority of EU citizens (82 per cent) are prepared to change some of their habits to support more sustainable tourism, for example, by consuming local products (55 per cent), choosing ecological means of transport (36 per cent) or paying more to protect the natural environment (35 per cent) or to benefit the local community (33 per cent).

A survey by the Institute for Tourism Development Research under the National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) on the willingness of international tourists in developing sustainable tourism shows that 76 per cent are willing to reduce holiday waste; 62 per cent are ready to consume local products; 45 per cent prefer transport that has little impact on the environment; 45 per cent choose to take time off outside of peak season; 38 per cent are willing to support local communities; 31 per cent would choose a less popular destination; and 28 per cent are willing to reduce water use during their vacation.

In reality, the habit of green consumption is popular not only among foreign tourists but also among domestic visitors.

According to a survey by Booking.com, 88 per cent of domestic tourists said that the COVID-19 pandemic prompted them to travel in a sustainable manner.

They tend to be more willing to pay more to reduce impacts on the environment and local cultural heritage while being ready to participate in activities to save the environment in destinations.

Recognising the trend, many localities have paid greater attention to green tourism development. Hoi An City has called for a reduction in tourists’ use of single-use plastic waste with a goal of reducing 13-15 per cent of plastic waste each year and eliminating plastic waste by 2025.

Co To Island in Quang Ninh Province has also implemented a similar policy, advising tourists not to bring plastic bags and bottles with them while travelling.

In a decision issued on 22 July 2022 regarding a national action plan on green growth for the 2021-30 period, the Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to focus on finalising institutions and policy on tourism development management towards a green and sustainable direction, prioritizing green tourism models and products.

The national tourism development strategy until 2030 also clarified the sustainable and inclusive direction of Vietnamese tourism based on green growth and optimising tourism’s contributions to sustainable development goals.

Pham Thi Hai Yen from Hanoi University of Culture believes that Vietnam should design preferential investment policies for green tourism projects and invest more in the research and application of technologies, the use of alternative energy, and promoting the “3R” (Reduce-Reuse-Recycle) habit during tourism activities.

From a business perspective, Cao Quoc Chung, Deputy Director of the Vidotour company’s branch in Hanoi, affirmed that Vietnam could fully capitalize on and take advantage of the trend of choosing green tourism among tourists to harmonize tourism development with community ecological environment protection.

It was necessary to pay special attention to creating memorable experiences and interactions for tourists with the local community, as this would be an important factor helping to boost tourism development in a sustainable, environmentally and socially responsible manner, he said.

Vietnam commits clean energy transition: Trade counselor

Vietnam has paid due attention to energy transition as part of efforts to respond to climate change, highlighted Vietnamese trade counselor in Thailand Le Huu Phuc while attending the third Asian and Pacific Energy Forum (APEF 2023) in Bangkok on October 16-20.

In his speech at the event, Phuc said that as one of the world’s top five countries most vulnerable to climate change, Vietnam is facing sea-level rise, flood, and drought, while severe weather conditions are threatening the country’s socio-economic development and environmental sustainability.

Energy transition is the primary factor that delivers on Vietnam’s climate change response targets, he said, elaborating that energy sources have the highest carbon footprint in the country, reported VNA.

Vietnamese trade counselor in Thailand Le Huu Phuc (R) at the third Asian and Pacific Energy Forum (APEF 2023) in Bangkok.

He stressed energy cooperation within the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is important for Vietnam and many other developing countries in the region to share experience in energy transition process as well as climate change response as a whole.

"Vietnam stands ready to bolster cooperation with partners and international organizations in the field," he said, expressing his hope that the United Nations’ organizations, especially ESCAP, will have rational orientations and policies to support the developing countries in the energy transition process, particularly assistance in terms of finance, and capacity building for policy outlining and project implementation.

“Recent crises have tested us all, resulting in economic shocks, energy supply price rises and supply chain disruptions, all of which have threatened progress on the energy transition and, more broadly, sustainable development,” said UN Under-Secretary General and ESCAP Executive Secretary Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana.

“These events remind us of the need for energy resilience and security to be considered alongside sustainability. For the energy sector, pursuing better energy efficiency, universal access to modern energy and increasing the share of renewable energy are strategies that can improve our collective ability to weather these shocks and recover better,” she added.

The APEF 2023 drew the participation of more than 265 delegates from 42 countries, including ministers, senior officials and experts from 37 member states of ESCAP. They reviewed the progress made in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and clean energy) in the Asia-Pacific region, and in implementing the Ministerial Declaration on Regional Cooperation for Energy Transition towards Sustainable and Resilient Societies in Asia and the Pacific, which was adopted at the Second Asian and Pacific Energy Forum, in 2018.

They also adopted a ministerial declaration on “Building a Secure, Sustainable and Interconnected Energy Future for Asia and the Pacific” that will guide the partnership between ESCAP and its member States in addressing these pressing energy challenges towards a sustainable energy future in the region.

The fourth Asian and Pacific Energy Forum will be held in 2027.

Central city urged direct flights from Thailand, Indonesia

The central city of Da Nang has called for the launch of more direct flights connecting it with Phuket and Khon Kaen, Thailand, and Indonesia, creating trade, tourism and investment opportunities among businesses of Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia via the East-West Economic Corridor.

Vice chairman of the city’s people’s committee Tran Chi Cuong, at recent working visits to Thailand and Indonesia, urged more exchanges and visits among businesses and more tourism surveys.

Cường also urged Bangkok Yacht Club to review investment possibility at Da Nang’s Han River ports in promoting tourism co-operation between Da Nang and Bangkok in the coming time.

He said the city had been building the new Lien Chieu deep-sea port and assigned Tien Sa Port as an international cruise destination.

Meanwhile, the relationship between Da Nang and Thailand's Khon Kaen Province has been continuously strengthened through agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoU) since 2014, and opening a direct air route between the two localities is needed for further co-operation and investment, he added.

Da Nang and Khon Kaen signed a Letter of Intent to establish co-operation in tourism, education, culture, investment and trade, and a Memorandum of Understanding in tourism and investment in 2022.

Governor of the Thai northeastern province of Khon Kaen, Kraisorn Kongchalad, said a framework will be needed for practical action plans of the two localities on boosting investment, trade and tourism.

Da Nang, which is situated at the end of the East-West Economic Corridor linking Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, will be eligible for caravan and road tour links from Thailand to world heritage sites in central Vietnam.

Da Nang University officially included the Thai language in its curriculum in 2006, cited VNS.

A Thai tourist is welcomed at Da Nang International Airport. Photo: Tran Le Lam

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines plans to launch a direct route between the central coastal city of Da Nang and Thailand’s Bangkok in November.

During the Da Nang tourism promotion programme in Jakarta, Indonesia, the central city’s tourism association and the Indonesian Travel Agents Association signed an agreement on promotion activities for soon opening direct flights between Da Nang and Indonesia.

Da Nang also signed a Letter of Intent on tourism promotion and co-operation with Gangwon, Korea on resuming tourism from Korea.

Earlier, the central city’s tourism department boosted the Meetings, Incentives, Conferencing and Exhibitions (MICE) and golf tour service in the Korean market.

Currently, four direct flights connect Da Nang with Incheon, Daegu, Cheongju and Muan of Korea.

The city hosted 5.8 million tourists, including 1.56 million foreigners, in the first nine months of 2023.

A series of tourism promotion and tour service programs from Da Nang will be held in the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore between October and November.

Hanoi wishes Ireland to promote investment in various fields

Hanoi is one of the most loved and appreciated tourist destinations by Irish people for its culture, cuisine, and safety, said Ambassador Deirdre Ni Fhalluin.

On the afternoon of October 17, Member of the Central Committee - Deputy Secretary of the City Committee - Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh welcomed Deirdre Ni Fhalluin, Ambassador of Ireland on her courtesy visit on the occasion of receiving new term in Vietnam.

At the meeting, Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Tran Sy Thanh expressed his delight in the robust growth of Vietnam - Ireland relations in recent years. Contributing to the overall achievements of the two countries’ diplomatic relations, the cooperative relationship between Hanoi city and Irish localities is also increasingly flourishing. Since 2022, Hanoi has organized two high-level delegations from the People’s Council and Vietnam Fatherland Front to visit and work in Ireland.

Informing about Hanoi’s economic and social situation recently, Thanh said, Hanoi is considering adjusting the General Planning of Hanoi Capital to 2045 with a vision to 2065 towards a green, clean, and modern capital. At the same time, he expressed his hope that in the upcoming time, after the plan is approved by the National Assembly, Ambassador Deidre Ni Fhalluin will promote the role as a bridge and raise capital from Irish investors in areas such as Hanoi’s infrastructure, transportation, and water supply and drainage.

In addition, Ireland is also a country with highly developed agriculture and with advantages in greentech and safe food products. Hanoi wishes to cooperate with Ireland to build, develop, and transfer technology in the fields of high-tech agricultural production and human resources training in the agricultural industry.

On this occasion, Thanh hopes that the working time in Hanoi will leave Ambassador Ni Fhalluin with deep impressions of a capital of thousand years of capitalization, a city for peace, as well as the image of hospitable and elegant Hanoi people. Relations between the two countries will achieve impressive milestones during the Ambassador’s term.

Ambassador Deirdre Ni Fhalluin expressed her joy that after the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries have resumed many high-level visits and at the same time congratulated on Vietnam’s achievements in general and Hanoi’s achievements in particular, in the development process, WVR reported.

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh presented a souvenir to Ambassador of Ireland Deirdre Ni Fhalluin. (Photo: HNM)

Agreeing with the assessments of Thanh that bilateral cooperation is not equivalent to the potential of the two countries’ relationship, Ambassador of Ireland emphasized that during her term, she will promote cooperation in various fields, especially finance, high-technology, and education, which are Ireland’s strengths.

Ambassador Deirdre Ni Fhalluin said that Hanoi is one of the most loved and appreciated tourist destinations by Irish people for its culture, cuisine, and safety. She also thanked the city government for marvelous experiences that the Irish community have when living and working in Hanoi.

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