– The Republic of Korean (RoK) always considers Vietnam a key partner in its New Southern Policy, stated RoK President Moon Jae-in while receiving visiting Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on February 9.Son is paying an official visit to the country from February 9 to 11 at the invitation of his RoK counterpart Chung Eui-yong , during which the official is scheduled to attend a meeting of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)’s Southeast Asia Regional Programme (SEARP).Hosting the Vietnamese minister, President Moon expressed his hope that the two nations will soon elevate their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and recommended the sides increase their collaboration regarding regional and international issues of common interest.He also requested that Vietnam further facilitate RoK firms' operation in the country, particularly those investing in infrastructure, finance, and large-scale projects.Appreciating Vietnam’s coordinating role for the ASEAN-RoK relations during 2021-2024, the President said the Vietnamese FM's current visit to the RoK will contribute to developing his nation’s ties with Vietnam and ASEAN in the time to come.For his part, Son affirmed Vietnam highly values and wants to foster its relations with the RoK, particularly in organising activities in celebration of the 30th founding anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic relationship and in lifting the ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership this year.He suggested the sides maintain regular high-level exchanges and interactions, create a favourable political environment and effectively implement mechanism for cooperation expansion, especially in economy, trade, investment, and post-pandemic recovery.The diplomat highlighted the goal of raising bilateral trade to 100 billion USD in 2023 and the need to enhance bilateral collaboration in culture, education tourism, labour, people-to-people exchange, and citizen protection.It is also necessary to maintain the bilateral cooperation at multilateral forums, he added.He stressed Vietnam will fulfill its role of coordinator for ASEAN-RoK relations for 2021 – 2024 to achieve more practical and effective progress in the ties.The Vietnamese minister hoped that the two nations will continue to coordinate and affirm their stance on maintaining peace, stability and legal order at sea, respecting the freedom of navigation and overflight and settling the East Sea disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).The sides should continue to support the building of a substantive and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law and the UNCLOS, Son noted./.

HCM City universities tell students to return on Feb 14Many universities and colleges in HCM City plan to resume in-person classes next Monday (February 14) with strict compliance with COVID-19 pandemic safety measures. HCM City targets attracting 50,000 people to live and work in Thủ Đức by 2025, including 20,000 engineers and other experts. Documentary about Vietnamese music wins at Los Angeles Film AwardsA documentary about Vietnamese music by French filmmaker François Bibonne has been announced as one of the winners at the Los Angeles Film Awards (LAFA). The 30-minute film, entitled Once Upon a Bridge in Vietnam, won the Best Documentary Short in January. Besides, during the period of 2026-2030, all senior citizens in Vietnam will have access to necessary health care services when they are sick.

– The upcoming official visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son is expected to contribute to fostering relations between Vietnam and the RoK, towards a comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tung has said.Son will pay an official visit to the RoK and attend the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development ( OECD )-run Southeast Asia Regional Programme ( SEARP ) ministerial meeting from February 9-11 at the invitation of his RoK counterpart Chung Eui-yong and OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann.This is the first visit to the RoK by a Vietnamese foreign minister over the past five years, and also the first by Son after his appointment to the position, the ambassador told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), adding that the visit opens up activities marking the 30th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (1992-2022).Given complex developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, the visit demonstrates the resolve to maintain and boost the bilateral relationship, he noted.According to the diplomat, Son will hold working sessions with officials of the RoK, during which they will look into the celebration of the diplomatic ties, and orientations for the relations as agreed by senior leaders of the two countries.Priority cooperation areas would be politics-diplomacy, national defence-security, economy and social affairs, for peace, stability, collaboration and development of the two countries, Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia and other regions.The two sides will work to consolidate the existing cooperation spheres and open up new ones, while restoring those disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.Son is scheduled to meet with representatives of the Vietnamese community in the RoK, the ambassador said.The minister will attend the OECD-run Southeast Asia Regional Programme (SEARP), to be hosted by the RoK, in his capacity as the co-chair of the programme for 2022-2025.As coordinator for the ASEAN-RoK relations for 2020-2023, Son will also engage in discussions with Korean partners in this regard.

Apart from the award source of the Vietnam Football Federation, a group announced to award the team VND3 billion (US$133,000). The Best Innovation Award went to Dr. Pham Thi Thuy Phuong of Vietnam’s Institute of Chemical Technology under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. The trip was organised on the occasion of the 92nd founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and Tet (Lunar New Year), the most important festival of Vietnamese. Book collection on Party’s ideological foundation debutsThe National Political Publishing House has released a collection of more than 160 book titles on the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)’s ideological foundation. The tourist information website says that riding a motorbike is the best way to experience the daily life of local people, and discover interesting things in Vietnam.

Having adopted a strategy of living with COVID-19, Vietnam relaxed entry regulations on foreign nationals at the end of last month. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has also proposed that, from March 31, Vietnam fully open up to international tourism, with inbound and outbound tourists welcomed at all international border gates./.

A plane of national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines (Photo: VNA)The Vietnam Airlines Group has planned to arrange nearly 200 more flights from February 7 to 10 so as to meet passengers’ rising demand for travel to the southern region following the end of the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, with approval of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV).The flights will be on 14 busiest domestic routes , particularly between HCM City and Hanoi, Da Nang and Hai Phong, among others.Passengers can purchase air tickets at websites, mobile apps and ticket offices nationwide of member carriers of Vietnam Airlines Group, comprising Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, and VASCO.They are advised to make health declarations on PC-COVID app before reaching the airport to save time.It is the latest flight adjustment during this year’s Tet by Vietnam Airlines Group. In late December 2021, the group announced to increase flight frequency on many routes, with a daily average of 300 flights per leg.The number of seats was also raised by 120 percent to serve the Lunar New Year peak, which falls in late January and early February./.

More than 100 flights, mostly on the Hanoi – HCM City route, are expected to be added from February 6 – 12. Trains to Hanoi and HCM City were also full on the last day of the national holiday. Participants at the event had a chance to enjoy traditional Vietnamese food, play folk games, exchange books and join a music game show. 2, 3 and 4, HCM City- Thủ Dầu Một -Chơn Thành Expressway running from HCM City, through Bình Dương Province to Bình Phước Province, and HCM City- Mộc Bài Expressway between HCM City and Tây Ninh Province. HCM City tourism industry sets plan for 2022HCM City’s tourism sector hopes to attract 3.5 million international visitors and 25 million domestic travellers this year.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has approved the Country Programme Document for Vietnam for the 2022-2026 period and a financial package worth over 120 million USD. According to UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam Caitlin Wiesen, Vietnam now stands at a critical juncture as it seeks to rebound from COVID-19 in ways that generate growth, are job-rich, sustainable and inclusive. "With UNDP’s new 5- year Country Programme, we deepen our partnership with Vietnam to eradicate persistent poverty and develop pathways that deliver net zero carbon emissions and the Sustainable Development Goals. The Country Programme Document describes how we will foster innovation and shift ecosystems to scale implementation of the SDGs," she said. The UNDP will closely cooperate with its partners to speed up green and inclusive transformation, with the most vulnerable to be given with greater opportunities, she noted./.

At Sa Pa Jade Hill Resort & Spa (Photo: agoda.com)Hanoi (VNA) – Bookings for hotel rooms during Lunar New Year (Tet) festival have surged since early January, especially in four and five-star resorts. Amid the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic, most holidaymakers wait until later to decide where to spend the Tet holiday, resulting in higher demand in the days just before Tet compared to the same period last year. Compared to normal days, service prices in hi-end resorts will rise by 30-40 percent together with incentives such as free tickets for children and credit accumulation for dining and beverages. The situation is similar in Alba Wellness by Fusion in Hue, and five-star resorts in Ha Long (Quang Ninh), and Thanh Hoa like Vinpearl or FLC. At Da Lat Wonder Resort (Photo: 2trip.vn)The southern market is also vibrant with many rooms in luxury resorts fully booked during Tet.

More than 220 migratory and water bird species, including nine in the IUCN Red List, have been recorded in the Xuan Thuy National Park, part of the Red River Delta World Biosphere Reserve. Hanoi (VNA) – The Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve, home to a large number of water and migratory birds, is a typical rivermouth wetland ecosystem in the north of Vietnam. It was recognised by UNESCO as the habitat of a large number of rare water and migratory birds and a typical rivermouth wetland ecosystem in the north of Vietnam. This place is home to about 200 bird species, including nearly 60 migratory species and more than 50 water species. Conserving and sustainably developing the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve is an important goal receiving special attention from local communities, scientists, the Vietnamese Government, and international organisations.

Quang Tri: Efforts to promote and preserve ancient tea gardensThe century-old ancient tea gardens in Cam Lo district, the central province of Quang Tri, have significantly contributed to the promotion of tourism and economic development in the locality. Her family's garden now has over 100 ancient tea trees aged more than 100 years and hundreds of decade-old ones. For Cua villagers, ancient tea trees not only bring economic profit but also represent the resilient will of local people. In recent years, local authorities and villagers have intensified efforts to preserve the ancient tea trees in the area. The New Delhi-based Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) said the achievements Vietnam has recorded in 35 years of Doi Moi, particularly in the five-year implementation of the Resolution adopted at the 12th National Party Congress and goals set out during the 13th National Party Congress, have reflected that Vietnam has overcome a range of challenges under the Party leadership.

Illustrative photo (Source: VNA)Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (sitting, centre) at the Industry 4.0 Summit 2021. (Photo: VNA)VNAThe 5G services are projected to contribute 7.34 percent to Vietnam’s GDP growth in 2025, according to a research by the National Institute of Information and Communications Strategy.At the recent high-level forum on the Fourth Industrial Revolution , Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that the revolution and innovation form a new driving force for socio-economic development.He noted that in order to recover and develop the economy post pandemic, it is necessary to have an infrastructure development strategy, including digital transformation infrastructure, and telecommunications services that reach low-lying and border areas, and islands.Vietnam's next wave of socio-economic development will come from innovation, science and technology, driven by the digital economy, said Denis Brunetti, President of Ericsson Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia & Laos.According to him, Ericsson's studies show that manufacturing, energy/utilities, health care and security are the sectors that have the best opportunities to take advantage of the 5G-induced benefits in Vietnam. Businesses’ digitalisation capability through 5G network will significantly improve labour productivity and redefine the entire digital ecosystem.In Vietnam, the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel) has identified the 5G network as the infrastructure foundation for digital transformation and the 4th Industrial Revolution. As such, the company is promoting the research and creation of applications on the 5G platform.Viettel’s main goal is to put Vietnam on par with the world in digital transformation as well as R&D for the high-tech industry, emphasised Le Dang Dung, Viettel's Acting Chairman and General Director.Huynh Quang Liem, General Director of the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), said the 5G technology is helping VNPT gradually making applications using artificial intelligence, internet of things, and robotics, among others, for smart city building, health care, education, and smart factories.Vaibhav Saxena, former co-chair of the Indian Business Chamber in Vietnam, noted the nation has an outstanding vision as it is the second fastest growing Internet economy in Southeast Asia. Such growth rate will help it achieve greater goals and transform itself into a technology hub in the region, he affirmed./.

Business Tan Cang Sai Gon busy on Lunar New Year's eve The Tan Cang Sai Gon (Saigon Newport) Corporation (SNP) served seven container ships on the Lunar New Year's eve (January 31) at its Tan Cang-Cat Lai Port in Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh City. Business Vietnamese edtech market attractive to investors Educational technology (edtech) startups in Vietnam have drawn many domestic and foreign venture capital funds thanks to their high development potential.

Nha Nhac - Vietnamese court music was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2008 (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam possesses an array of intangible cultural heritages that have been recognised by UNESCO. The varied forms of Ca tru fulfil different social purposes, including worship singing, singing for entertainment, singing in royal palaces and competitive singing. With 12 intangible cultural heritages recognized by UNESCO, Vietnam now ranks eighth out of 177 member nations of the Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. Then singing practice of Tay, Nung, Thai ethnic peopleThen singing practice of Vietnam’s ethnic groups of Tay, Nung, Thai was named in the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity on December 13, 2019. The art of Xoe Thai danceThe art of Xoe Thai dance was listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at the 16th session of the UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, which is taking place from December 13-18, 2021 in Paris, France.

The “Vietnam: Travel to love! - Spring reunion” video is part of Vietnam’s tourism communications programme on YouTube. It focuses on spring colours in all parts of the country and the atmosphere of a traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, with “banh chung” (chung cake), red couplets, and customs that have become a beautiful part of Vietnamese culture. The “Vietnam: Travel to love” programme has been on YouTube since early 2021, with seven videos posted to date on topics suitable for each tourist season. All have proven popular, receiving attention and widely promoting the beauty of Vietnam’s tourism in an inspiring and stimulating fashion./.