Garments represent one of Vietnam's major export products to Indonesia.

Vietnam and Indonesia looking to beat US$15 bln trade target

Bilateral trade cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia is prospering, with the two sides aiming to surpass the US$15 billion trade target set for 2023.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade reports that two-way trade between the two countries has grown significantly over the years, rising from just US$4.8 billion in 2013 to US$14.1 billion in 2022, cited VOV.

The first four months of 2023 saw bilateral trade expand 9% year on year to US$4.2 billion, including US$1.6 billion worth of Vietnamese exports. Given the steady growth, the trade value is likely to hit or even surpass the US$15 billion target set for the whole year.

Indonesia is currently Vietnam’s third largest trading partner, while Vietnam is Indonesia’s fourth largest trading partner in Southeast Asia. Notably, Vietnam is a reputable and quality supplier of many products to the Indonesian market, such as rice, coffee, rubber, seafood, textiles, footwear, mobile phones and components, iron, steel, and other construction materials, plastic products, among others.

Meanwhile, many of Indonesia’s major products like coal, auto parts, palm oil, plastic raw materials, animal feed and raw materials, chemicals, and metals are the favourites with Vietnamese businesses to support production and business activities.

Pham The Cuong, Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Indonesia, says Vietnamese businesses raked in US$149 million from exporting rice to Indonesia in the first four months of 2023, representing a sudden increase of 2,514% over the same period last year. Besides importing rice, Indonesia is also a potential market for other Vietnamese food products.

Statistics show the largest economy in Southeast Asia backed by a market of 275 million consumer imports US$16 billion worth of food, foodstuffs and beverages every year, making up 6.5% of its total imports.

At the recent 55th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting in Jakarta, Indonesian Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan affirmed Indonesia always considers Vietnam as one of its important economic and trade partners in Southeast Asia. He proposed that the two countries’ trade sectors resume visit exchanges, share experience in aquaculture development, and develop the automobile industry.

To enter this large Halal market in the world, Trade Councilor Pham The Cuong says his Trade Office will encourage Vietnamese businesses to take part in large trade fairs in Indonesia, arrange online connectivity forums, and organize consultations to provide Vietnamese businesses with information about the Halal certification.

In addition to proactively engaging in trade promotion, seeking partners, and expanding exports, businesses are required to pay attention to trade defense measures adopted by Indonesia, the Trade Councilor reminds.

PM arrives in Jakarta to attend 43rd ASEAN Summit

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia, on September 4 morning (local time) to attend the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings.

The Vietnamese delegation was welcomed at Soekarno - Hatta International Airport by Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno, and other Indonesian and Vietnamese officials.

PM Chinh’s attendance at the 43rd ASEAN Summit is made at the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Chair of the 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings.

The leader's attendance at the event aims to continue implementing Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralisation in line with the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress and the Directive No. 25 of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat; and convey the major message of the Party, State and Government to ASEAN and international friends about a Vietnam of friendliness, cooperation, integration and more active, proactive and effective participation in the regional processes.

The 43rd ASEAN Summit and Related Meetings will take place in Jakarta from September 4-7, marking the culmination of Indonesia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023.

In line with the Chair’s theme of “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”, the summit provides an opportunity for ASEAN leaders to discuss and chart the directions for strengthening the ASEAN Community and making the bloc the focal point of growth amidst the complexities and changes in the current global and regional landscape.

At the 43rd ASEAN Summit, participating countries are scheduled to review the implementation of the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and blueprints in the three pillars of politics-security, economy, and culture-society, according to VNA.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) arrives in Jakarta, Indonesia, on September 4 morning (local time). (Photo: VNA)

They will also seek measures to deepen relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its partners and compare notes on regional and international issues.

On this occasion, the group will approve and acknowledge many important documents, including the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and the Declaration of ASEAN Concord IV, and documents on specific cooperation areas within the bloc and between ASEAN and its partners in food security, digital economy, blue economy, agriculture, e-vehicle ecosystem, family development and gender equality, pre-school education, and integration of people with disabilities, among others.

PM Chinh will share Vietnam’s viewpoints and propose initiatives and directions in many cooperation fields in order to materialise the theme of “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth”, and consolidate the building of a united, strong ASEAN Community that holds an increasingly important role and position in the region and the world.

He will also meet with leaders of other countries and international organizations to boost bilateral ties and exchange views on issues of shared concern.

Big cash for Hanoi tourism during National Day holiday

The Hanoi Department of Tourism has reported that the total revenue from tourism services over the four-day National Day holiday is estimated to have reached VND2,000 billion (US$83 million), up 54% over the same period from 2022.

According to the information provided, the capital’s tourism industry welcomed about 640,000 visitors, including over 41,000 international visitors, reported VOV.

Hanoi offers double-decker bus tours around the city to more than 6,336 visitors free of charge during the four-day public holiday.

Most notably, several tourist destinations throughout Hanoi witnessed a huge number of holidaymakers, such as the Temple of Literature with 24,000 visitors, the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology with 13,000 tourists, Hanoi Zoo with 93,371 visitors, and Ba Vi National Park with 19,500 travelers, whilst the Ao Vua tourist area welcomed 21,218 visitors.

During the four-day public holiday Hanoi offered double-decker bus tours around the city to more than 6,336 visitors free of charge.

Vu Lan festival in RoK helps spread Vietnamese cultural features

The Vietnamese Buddhist Culture Center in the Republic of Korea (RoK) held a grand ceremony to mark the Vu Lan Festival in Incheon city on September 3.

Along with Vietnamese expatriates in RoK, the event was attended by Vietnamese Ambassador to RoK Nguyen Vu Tung; Vice Chairwoman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Tran Thi Minh Nga; Mayor of Incheon city Yoo Jeong Bok, Korean officials and Buddhist followers in the RoK.

In his speech at the ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tung thanked the RoK's officials as well as Korean religious dignitaries and clergymen for their attention and support to Vietnamese people in the fields of economy, culture, and religion, cited VNA.

The ceremony is held to mark the Vu Lan Festival in Incheon city on September 3. (Photo: VNA)

He affirmed that the Vietnamese community in the RoK have contributed and integrated into the RoK society and considers the East Asian country their second homeland to participate in economic, political and religious activities.

Mayor of Incheon Yoo Jeong Bok said that as an international city of the RoK, Incheon is home to more than 70,000 foreigners, including about 15,000 Vietnamese people, adding that the foreigners are part of the city and have accompanied and developed with local residents.

For her part, Vice Chairwoman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Tran Thi Minh Nga hoped that Vietnamese Buddhist followers in the RoK will continue to stay united and comply with the laws of the host country, contributing to the construction of the RoK and always looking towards the homeland.

Destinations nationwide crowded during National Day holidays

Thanks to good preparation of tourism products, vibrant organisation of cultural, art and sports activities, and security, order and food safety, the cities, tourism centres and destinations around the country welcomed a large number of visitors, during National Day (September 2) holiday, which lasted from September 1 to 4.

During the last days of the National Day holiday, Hanoi's weather turned cool in the autumn, so the number of visitors to tourist attractions, entertainment areas and commercial centers continued to remain high.

According to the Management Board of President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, on the morning of September 2 alone, the Mausoleum welcomed nearly 33,000 visitors, including 635 foreigners.

The Thang Long Imperial Citadel relic site welcomed 14,000 on September 2. It is expected that during the four holidays, the relic site will welcome about 35,000 visitors, not to mention thousands of children who can visit for free. Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) receives an average of nearly 10,000 visitors every day.

Hoa Lo Prison relic site received the largest number of visitors on September 2, with 8,300 arrivals. During the remaining days, the number of visitors varied from 4,000 to 5,000. The areas around Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi’s Old Quarter are the places where many cultural and artistic activities are held. On average, the pedestrian space around Hoan Kiem Lake alone welcomed about 40,000 visitors per day.

During the National Day holiday, many types of public transport in Hanoi such as public bicycles, the Cat Linh – Ha Dong metro line and double-decker buses welcomed thousands of users on the first day of the holiday, NDO reported.

The Temple of Literature in Hanoi welcomes a large number of visitors during the National Day holidays.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, the tour to the headquarters of the City People's Council and People's Committee welcomed 65 delegations with 1,614 guests, on September 1-2.

Suoi Tien cultural tourist area welcomed about 25,000 visitors on September 3 alone and is expected to serve a total of about 70,000 visitors during the four days. Similarly, Dam Sen Cultural Park served 9,000 visitors on September 3.

In response to activities celebrating the National Day, nearly 100 businesses in the city announced to continue applying tourism stimulus programmes and super discounts for more than 100 products related to the waterway, shopping, staying, relaxing and eating.

The beautiful weather is favourable for organizing and participating in the activities in celebration of National Day in the northern mountainous provinces. In Suoi Giang Commune, Van Chan District, Yen Bai Province, about 2,000 people, of which more than half are ethnic minorities, attended a flag-raising ceremony on National Day (September 2), on the foggy mountaintop and watched a cross-country running tournament. At the same time, thousands of locals cheered on the 2023 open traditional bamboo boat racing tournament of ethnic minority groups in the Thac Ba Lake area of Yen Binh District.

During the National Day holiday, the total number of tourists to Quang Ninh is estimated to reach 318,000 (equivalent to 150% over the same period in 2022), including 19,000 foreigners and 132,000 domestic guests. On September 3 alone, Quang Ninh welcomed about 86,000 visitors, including 6,392 foreign arrivals.

Tens of thousands of tourists flock to tourist destinations in Nghe An Province during the recent holidays. Kim Lien Special National Relic Site in Nam Dan District welcomed thousands of visitors from all over the country, to pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh every day.

The Hue Monuments Conservation Centre said on September 2, the monuments opened for free to all Vietnamese people and tourists. During the past three years, the centre welcomed nearly 30,000 domestic tourists, mainly on September 2 and sold more than 1,000 entrance tickets for foreign tourists to visit the monuments.

In Da Nang City, over 15,000 visitors came to Nui Than Tai Hot Spring Park from September 1-3. The number of visitors to the Ba Na Hill tourist area also increased by 20% over the same period in 2022.

One hundred national flags along the Golden Bridge on the top of Ba Na created a check-in point for tourists.

The number of domestic and international tourists to Quang Nam Province during the past three days increased sharply than expected. More than 2,500 visitors, mainly international visitors, visited My Son Sanctuary, a World Heritage Site, in Duy Xuyen District.

A large number of visitors flocked to Hoi An World Cultural Heritage, especially the area of Hoi An - Cu Lao Cham inland wharf.

In recent days, Khanh Hoa Province welcomed 503,154 visitors, including 23,450 foreigners, a year-on-year increase of 263.34%. The average room capacity of accommodation establishments was about 68.69%.

According to the Culture and Information Office of Kon Plong District, Kon Tum Province, on the occasion of the National Day holiday, the number of travelers to Mang Den National Eco-tourism Area increased sharply, up to tens of thousands. It is expected to reach the target of welcoming at least 50,000 visitors.

Meanwhile, in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, unfavorable weather caused the number of tourists to decrease significantly. Many food service establishments, accommodations, and famous tourist attractions operate at about half capacity.

Despite the rains, destinations in Ca Mau Province still welcomed a large number of tourists. According to the Provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, during the three days, nearly 30,000 visitors visited and had fun in localities in the province. On September 2 alone, the province welcomed more than 16,000 visitors.

The large number of visitors to the cities, tourism centres and destinations around the country during the recent National Day holidays is a good sign, creating momentum for the tourism sector to complete its tasks set from now to the end of the year.

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