HÀ NỘI — Tourism is a bright spot in Việt Nam's economic panorama in the first half of 2024 with revenue from accommodation and food services estimated at VNĐ356.4 trillion (US$14 billion), a year-on-year increase of 15.2 per cent. According to unofficial data, around 15 localities have reported tourism revenue of more than VNĐ10 trillion each, six higher than the figure recorded in the same period last year. Nearly 5.2 million tourists stayed overnight in Khánh Hòa in January-June, up 88 per cent against the same period last year. Its total revenue from tourism was estimated at over 26 trillion VND, up 97 per cent. Việt Nam targets 17-18 million foreign tourists and 110 million domestic ones, and about VNĐ840 trillion from tourism this year.

HÀ NỘI — With the number of tourists visiting Hà Nội on the rise, luxury hotels in the city are rolling out a variety of special deals to boost sales. Nguyễn Hồng Minh, Deputy Director of Hà Nội's Department of Tourism, said the city has a target of 27 million visitors in 2024, generating around VNĐ109 trillion (US$4.2 billion) in tourism revenue. To achieve this, the city has launched the 'Hà Nội Residents and Tourists Experience Services at Four- and Five-star Hotels' programme, designed to encourage locals and tourists to stay at luxury hotels in the city and experience their unique services. Many hotels in Hà Nội are participating in the programme, offering special deals to attract visitors. The Deputy Director believes the programme will have a positive impact on the city's tourism industry, boosting hotel occupancy rates, increasing tourism revenues and promoting Hà Nội as a must-go tourist destination.

It includes nine books featuring Vietnamese history in different periods under the dynasties of Đinh, Lý, Trần and Lê. Highlighted books include author Phú’s Cờ Lau Dựng Nước (The Country), a work on historical events under the Đinh Dynasty. A founder of the Đinh Dynasty, he was a significant figure in the establishment of Vietnamese independence and political unity in the 10th century. This name remained throughout the Đinh Dynasty (968-980), Early Lê Dynasty (980-1009) and the beginning of Lý Dynasty (1010-1225). They were victorious, and Đại Việt then completely defeated the invasion of the Song Dynasty’s army.

What majority in the French parliament will President Macron - seen here talking to supporters after casting his vote in Le Touquet in northern France on June 30 - have to work with in the future? The voters will decide this in the run-off election on July 7. However, the legislative elections show that the public's calls for change remain unanswered.Beyond the second-round results, and the potential political fallout, there remains an Olympic-sized effort required to heal the problems that ill France. The report says that stemming the far-right tide is dependent on the French government taking seriously economic and social issues that drive regional inequalities. According to the report, in 2021 10 per cent of households in France held 47 per cent of all wealth.

HÀ NỘI – The number of international visitors to Việt Nam in the first half of 2024 surpassed that in the same period of 2019, with those from India rocketing 312 per cent from the pre-pandemic level. Indian holidaymakers coming to Việt Nam have increased relatively fast over the last five years. Direct flights between Việt Nam and India have helped reduce travel time for passengers, enhancing connectivity between the two countries. Indian tourists are increasingly fond of travelling to Việt Nam, which boasts a safe tourism environment, beautiful landscapes, diverse products, people's hospitality, and delicious cuisine. Given this, India is seen as a promising tourism market that Việt Nam should tap into in the time to come to attract more international visitors.

Direct flights between Vietnam and India have helped reduce travel time for passengers, enhancing connectivity between the two countries. In the two countries' cultural exchange history, the cinema of France and that of Vietnam share strong bonds. He conveyed greetings from State President To Lam to her, and said he wishes that she will visit Vietnam soon. He said Vietnam always considers Belarus a trusted friend and partner, and appreciates the support of the Belarusian people for Vietnam in the past, adding that Vietnam hopes to continue strengthening the multifaceted cooperation with Belarus. He pledged to do his best to develop the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Belarus.

Researchers studied more than 2,500 bones found inside Baishiya Karst Cave, which is situated 10,760 feet (3,280 meters) above sea level and previously had yielded Denisovan fossil remains. Other bone remains came from woolly rhinos, yaks, small mammals like marmots, birds, and even from the spotted hyena, a large carnivore that prowled the region called the Ganjia Basin. A lower jaw of a Denisovan adolescent previously found at Baishiya Karst is 160,000 years old. Our species, Homo sapiens, did not populate the Tibetan Plateau until about 40,000 years ago, having first appeared in Africa a bit more than 300,000 years ago. We know that based on some Denisovan DNA that is present in the genomes of some modern humans living today.

Summary:The Supplier Sustainability Officer will be responsible for ESG’s supplier engagement and reporting to Global Supply Chain Director. • Spearhead and manage Sonion’s supplier sustainability programs, coordinating Sonion’s compliance & sustainability team with supplier base. Sonion supply chain sustainability• Responsible for the development, update and implementation of supply chain policies, guidelines, plans and procedures, reflecting compliance and sustainability supply chain strategy. • Lead supplier sustainability audit; collect and share best practices through good communication with supply chain partners. • Collect & validate the data collection of emission inventory, decarbonization in the supply chain.

In Vietnam, an increasing number of young adults are choosing their career paths based on guidance from fortune telling and numerology. ImpactsK.H., a 20-year-old studying in Thu Duc City of Ho Chi Minh City, shared that she frequently turns to TikTok for insights into her numerology and horoscope. Meanwhile, T.N., a 19-year-old studying journalism and communications at a university in Ho Chi Minh City for the past two years, mentioned that after consulting friends about horoscopes, they concluded that the journalism industry might not suit T.N. Huynh Thanh Phu, principal of Bui Thi Xuan High School in Ho Chi Minh City, criticized numerology and tarot card fortune-telling as forms of superstition. “Career guidance is a crucial journey that ensures individuals have a clear direction and make informed career choices,” Anh explained.

However, recognising the adverse effects of these non-biodegradable bags on the environment, retailers are advocating for changes in consumer habits. July 3 this year marked the second time the Plastic Bag Reduction Retailers Alliance of Việt Nam celebrated the International Plastic Bag Free Day with various customer initiatives. Ngọc Linh, a senior-year student who often shops at BigC, agreed and said people should use plastic bags less. “I used to be a cashier, and when customers take a lot of plastic bags, they often throw them away and that’s not good. “Therefore, activities that aim to reduce non-biodegradable plastic bags are of great significance, so that everyone can join in reducing plastic waste in our environment.” — VNS

The region could see rainfall ranging between 40mm and 80mm, and even more than 150mm in several locations, during this period, the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting said. The national weather agency also warned of rising water levels in the upstream areas of the Da, Thao, and Lo Rivers, flash floods and landslides in mountainous locations, and inundation in low-lying places. The government leader asked local authorities to examine areas prone to flooding, flash floods, and landslides to promptly launch evacuation and rescue operations. They have to dispatch forces to stand guard over locations vulnerable to flooding and landslides to ensure human and traffic safety. PM Chinh asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to closely supervise weather developments and inform relevant agencies of natural disaster risks.

MOSCOW – The 2024 Vietnamese Culture Days in Russia programme has opened in Moscow, with a wide range of activities being held throughout this week. Attending the opening ceremony were Chief Justice of the Supreme People's Court Nguyễn Hòa Bình, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyễn Văn Hùng, Russian Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova, First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly Andrey Yatskin, and Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Đặng Minh Khôi. Over the recent years, cultural, sports and tourism cooperation between the two countries has become more effective and achieved great progress, and people-to-people exchanges increasingly strengthened. Hùng said that bilateral cultural cooperation will go deeper and more specifically through new areas of cooperation such as training cultural officials and artists. Within the framework of the programme, there will be a photo exhibition, a Vietnamese film screening, and tourism promotion events in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

HÀ NỘI — A fire broke out in a shophouse in Hà Nội on Wednesday with a family trapped inside. Firefighters were called to the incident on Tô Hiệu Street, Cầu Giấy at around 4.20am after residents reported seeing thick black smoke from the property. The team quickly extinguished the fire using water and foam, rescuing a 92-year-old woman and leading three others to safety. The four-story shophouse has a toy store on the ground floor, selling toys, bicycles and strollers. It is part of a fire safety neighbourhood model, equipped with a portable fire extinguisher and a second fire escape route.

HÀ NỘI - Việt Nam currently has approximately seven million individuals diagnosed with diabetes, with more than 55 per cent of patients already experiencing complications. According to Trần Hữu Dàng, President of the Việt Nam Association of Endocrinology and Diabetes, the number of people with diabetes in Việt Nam has been steadily increasing, with the rate doubling compared to a decade ago. The number of countries with over 20 per cent of the adult population suffering from diabetes is also growing. Diabetes is a growing concern in Việt Nam, not only among adults but also children. The incidence of diabetes in children is increasing, with type 1 diabetes accounting for 90 per cent of cases.

HÀ NỘI The Prime Minister recently issued a dispatch requiring ministries, sectors and localities to get prepared for torrential rains in the northern region. They must also step up communications work to raise public awareness of the safety measures, while evacuating people, vehicles and assets in dangerous areas to safe places. They are requested to arrange forces and means to promptly launch evacuation as well as search and rescue operations in case of emergencies, and direct post-disaster recovery work in line with the legal regulations. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is asked to make forecasts and provide information for competent agencies in a timely fashion for the response work. Meanwhile, the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development and Industry and Trade must join hands with localities to efficiently operate and ensure safety for reservoirs and agricultural production.