NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man is welcomed at the Vnukovo International Airport. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese NA Chairman begins official visit to Russia

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow on September 8 afternoon (local time), beginning a three-day official visit to Russia where he will co-chair the third session of the Vietnam-Russia Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee.

The NA Chairman and delegation were welcomed at the airport by First Vice Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Ivan Ivanovich Melnikov, Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi, the Vietnamese Embassy's staff and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Russia.

The visit, the first by Man in his capacity as the NA Chairman and the first by a key Vietnamese leader this year, follows Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Vietnam in June. It aims to concretise the Joint Statement on deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership, on the basis of the 30-year achievements of implementing the Treaty on Principles of Friendly Relations between Vietnam and Russia, helping to promote and strengthen the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership in general and the close ties between the Vietnamese NA, and the State Duma and the Federation Council of Federal Assembly of Russia in particular.

It also expects to realize cooperation agreements reached in the phone talks between Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and President Vladimir Putin on August 8, cited VNA.

Man is scheduled to hold talks with the Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Vyacheslav Victorovich Volodin. The two leaders will also co-chair the third session of the Vietnam-Russia Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee.

The Vietnamese top legislator will also hold talks with Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly Valentina of the Russian Federation Ivanovna Matviyenko and sign a new cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese NA and the Federation Council.

His agenda includes meetings with high-ranking leaders of the Russian State and major political parties. He will also receive leaders from regions of Russia that have cooperation ties with Vietnam, representatives from the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association, and veterans who fought in Vietnam.

Post-Yagi floodwaters threaten mountainous localities

Though typhoon Yagi dissipated, heavy rain has kept pouring down, causing flood waters to rise quickly in mountainous localities in northern Vietnam.

Over the past 24 hours, Yagi has dumped more than 100mm of rain on Yen Bai province. Some highland communes such as Lang Nhi, Ta Si Lang and Phinh Ho have even received more than 300mm of rain.

In Ban Mu commune of Tram Tau district, floodwaters rose quickly, causing numerous homes to be inundated up to the rooftops. Fortunately, local residents were able to evacuate to safety in time.

Heavy rain and flooding triggered landslides, cutting off many transportation routes and threatening the life of residents living there.

In Van Chan district, the floating bridge leading to Da Den and Khe Trau villages was washed away, isolating 30 households, according to VOV.

Floodwaters rise quickly, causing numerous homes in Ban Mu commune of Tram Tau district to be inundated up to the rooftops. (Photo: VTC)

Local authorities have put up warning signs and advised residents to limit travel on the affected roads.

So far, Yagi has caused significant damage to Yen Bai province, with 493 houses affected, over 600 hectares of crops damaged, and severe landslides impacting many transportation routes.

Meanwhile, rising floodwaters caused by heavy rain have isolated villages in Bac Son and Chi Lang districts of Lang Son province. Some sections leading to Van Quan District have also experienced landslides.

The central meteorological agency has issued warnings about a high risk of flooding on rivers and streams, as well as flash floods and landslides in mountainous localities of Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, and Hoa Binh in the coming days.

Vietnam regains pre-COVID growth momentum

Vietnam has regained pre-Covid growth momentum as evidenced by positive signals in various fields, according to Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong.

Speaking at the Cabinet meeting on Saturday, Tran said international organizations and businesses spoke highly of the encouraging economic performance in the first eight months of 2024.

Macroeconomy remained stable, inflation was put under control while public investment dropped far below the limits capped by the National Assembly, said Tran.

Budget revenue increased by 17.8 percent while trade with the rest of the world grew by 16.7 percent compared to the same period last year, cited VGP.

Industrial production expanded by 9.5 percent in August and 8.6 percent in January-August period.

Foreign investment inflows reached US$20.5 billion, an increase of 7 percent year-on-year and the disbursed volume rose 8 percent to around US$14.15 percent.

The Government targets to raise the GDP growth rate to 6.5 percent in 2024 compared to 5.05 percent last year.

Lang Son Geopark gets UNESCO Global Geopark recognition

Lang Son Geopark of Vietnam has been officially recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council.

The decision was made following a vote on September 8 by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, according to the Lang Son provincial administration.

A delegation of experts from UNESCO made a field trip to Lang Son in July 2024 for on-site assessment of the dossier seeking the organization's recognition of Lang Son Geopark as a global one. They visited 26 out of the 38 attractions across four tourism routes of the Geopark.

To provide the most accurate evaluation, the Global Geoparks Council carefully assessed Lang Son Geopark’s geological features, conservation efforts, and local engagement before granting it UNESCO Global Geopark status.

Local authorities said the recognition of the site helps Lang Son focus its resources on managing, preserving, and promoting the value of its geological heritage, cultural heritage, historical and archaeological sites, biodiversity, as well as its unique scenic landscapes.

It is anticipated that Lang Son Geopark will receive its UNESCO Global Geopark designation in Chile next year, VOV reported.

Bac Son Valley in the Lang Son Geopark area. (Photo: UNESCO Global Geoparks)

Covering 4,842 sq.km across eight district-level localities, Lang Son Geopark is one of the largest of its kind in Vietnam and boasts a number of unique values.

In terms of geology, geomorphology and landscape, it is home to a rich diversity of paleontological fossils dating back as far as 500 million years, many of which indicate this province used to be under the sea in the past. Moreover, this park is endowed with many renowned landscapes such as the low mountain ranges surrounding valleys and villages in Yen Thinh Commune of Huu Lung District, or the caves like Tham Khuyen in Binh Gia District that accommodated prehistoric humans.

Regarding cultural values, it houses a number of temples dedicated to the gods in the worship of Mother Goddesses – an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, especially Bac Le Temple, as well as villages of Tay and Nung ethnic groups with distinctive cultures.

The locality has initially developed four routes comprising 38 tourist attractions within the geopark. Local authorities are taking various measures for improving public awareness of the park’s values as well as protecting and making use of its values for tourism development.

Hanoi tourist attractions to come alive during Autumn Festival

The 2024 Hanoi Autumn Festival, from September 12-15, is expected to attract revelers to local tourist sites with a wide range of activities.

It forms part of the events in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the capital city’s Liberation Day (October 10), Deputy Director of the Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA) Nguyen Tran Quang said on September 5.

Festival-goers will get a chance to feel as if they have traveled back in time a few decades with displays and re-enactments, and be treated to Hanoi’s signature dishes such as 'com' or young green rice flakes, lotus-scented tea, and “banh mi”, along with art activities.

Nguyen Huu Viet, head of the HPA’s Tourism Promotion Department, said the opening ceremony is scheduled for September 13 at the flower garden near Ba Kieu Temple in Hoan Kiem district, with a special art program, VNA reported.

Dragon dance at 2023 Hanoi Autumn Festival (Photo: VNA)

There will be a trip to some tourist destinations in the city, and a seminar at the UNESCO-recognized Thang Long Imperial Citadel on September 12.

The festival will also feature fashion shows, a programme in celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival, street art performances at Hoan Kiem’s pedestrian space re-enacting locals waving flags and flowers to welcome the victorious army, as well as traditional dances, and handicrafts.

It is set to promote Hanoi’s image, culture, and tourism to domestic and international friends, and raise public awareness of culture preservation, contributing to local socio-economic development, said Quang.

Notably, 15 cities and provinces, and a number of travel firms and lodging facilities in Hanoi have registered to showcase their products and services during the festival.

The first edition in 2023 attracted about 80,000 visitors.

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