 |
| UNESCO-recognised Ha Long Bay. (Photo: VNA) |
According to the provincial People’s Committee, the Ha Long Carnival is slated for the National Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day holidays at the Ocean Park in Bai Chay ward of Ha Long city, bringing together thousands of domestic and foreign artists.
First held in 2007, the annual event, set to promote the values of the world natural heritage of Ha Long Bay, has offered a familiar and favourite venue to both local residents and tourists.
This year’s festival should promote the values of the Yen Tu - Vinh Nghiem - Con Son, Kiep Bac heritage complex, whose dossier has been submitted to UNESCO to seek the world heritage tittle, as well as the typical values of Quang Ninh, the committee said.
The committee noted that there will be nearly 50 cultural, sport and tourism programmes and events at provincial, national and international levels in the province in the second quarter of this year.
Such activities are expected to help Quang Ninh fulfill its yearly target of luring at least 17 million tourists, including 3 million international visitors, and earning 39.1 trillion VND (1.5 billion USD) from the tourism sector.
 |
| Drone light show to be performed at Ha Long Carnival 2024 (Photo: VOV) |
Ha Long Bay was recognised as the world natural heritage site by UNESCO twice, in 1994 for its globally outstanding aesthetic values and in 2000 for its geological - geomorphological values.
The recognised area covers 434 sq.km and consists of 775 limestone islets of all sizes – one of the core factors of the heritage’s values.
Vietjet opens Hanoi – Hiroshima direct route
Vietjet has opened a direct route from Hanoi to Hiroshima, connecting the capital of Vietnam with the famous city of Japan, bringing more convenient tourism and trade opportunities between the two cities and two countries as a whole, the Vietnam News Agency reported.
Operating from May 12, 2024 with two return flights per week on Thursdays and Sundays, people and tourists can easily travel between Hanoi and Hiroshima with a flight time of around 4 hours per leg. The flights depart from Hanoi at 6:00 (local time) and arrive in Hiroshima at 12:30 (local time). The return flights depart from Hiroshima Airport at 13:30 (local time) and arrive at Noi Bai Airport (Hanoi) at 16:20 (local time).
Hiroshima is located in the Southwestern region of Japan and has two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the mysterious Itsukushima Shrine with the Torii gate on the Seto Inland Sea, and many other famous landmarks such as Ueno-Hiroshima Park, Senkoji Park. Meanwhile, Hanoi being known as the heart of Vietnam, is the cultural, economic, and political centre imbued with Vietnamese identity and world-famous diverse cuisines.
 |
| Vietjet has opened a direct route from Hanoi to Hiroshima. (Photo: VNA) |
Vietjet currently operates many flights connecting the largest cities in Vietnam as Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, to famous cities in Japan including Tokyo, Osaka, Nayoga and Fukuoka. With Vietjet's extensive flight network, passengers can easily connect from Hanoi and Hiroshima to various destinations in Vietnam and the region by Vietjet's routes.
To celebrate the new route, Vietjet opens for sale thousands of promotional tickets starting from 0 VND (excluding taxes and fees) on the website www.vietjetair.com and the Vietjet Air mobile app, applies to all international flights on Fridays from March 8, 2024, with flexible flight times from March 8, 2024 to December 31, 2024 (except for holidays, depending on each market and route).
In every Vietjet flight, passengers can enjoy unique Vietnamese cuisines including Pho Thin, Banh mi, milk iced coffee, etc. and international ones served by professional and dedicated cabin crews on modern, eco-friendly fleet together with free Sky Care insurance. Additionally, members of the loyalty program Vietjet SkyJoy can accumulate points to redeem vouchers from Vietjet and over 250 leading brands.
Aquatic exports surge by 23% in two months
Vietnamese seafood exports during the first two months of the year soared by 23% to US$1.3 billion against the same period last year, with many businesses receiving new export orders, according to industry insiders, said Radio the Voice of Vietnam.
Do Thi Thu Thuy, sales director of Nam Viet Group, pointed out that Tra fish (pangasius) exports rebounded in the reviewed period as major markets started placing large export orders.
Tran Anh Khoa, general director of Anh Khoa Co., Ltd. in the southern province of Ca Mau that specialises in exporting shrimp, assessed that foreign importers such as China and the Middle East currently have high demand for the aquatic product.
Many Chinese buyers are selling directly to retail customers through e-commerce channels, meaning that they need large quantities of goods, Khoa said.
He added that these buyers consider Vietnamese shrimp to be of higher quality than those from Ecuador and India and are therefore willing to accept higher prices.
 |
| Aquatic exports surge by 23% in two months (Photo: VOV) |
Sharing this perspective, Truong Dinh Hoe, general secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), emphasized that seafood exports bounced back during the two-month period.
In February alone, aquatic exports were estimated to be at US$564 million, down 8% against the same period from last year, thereby raising the two-month turnover to over US$1.3 billion, up 23% on-year.
Of the figure, pangasius exports nearly doubled to US$365 million against the same period from last year, with positive signs from small markets such as the UK, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.
In the reviewed period, shrimp and tuna exports both increased by 37% on-year, while pangasius exports and other types of fish rose by 15% and 8%, respectively.
With regard to export markets, there are bright export prospects ahead in China, the United States, Japan, Canada, and Australia, particularly as China’s demand for seafood products is recovering well.
In addition, Vietnamese shrimp also has enjoyed advantages over its competitors as Ecuador is being warned due to shrimp containing sulfites along with rising freight rates.
Le Hang, VASEP Communications Director, however, pointed out that the high inventories and oversupply source will affect the consumption demand for major aquatic items such as shrimp and pangasius.
In addition, Vietnam’s seafood exports to the EU market are still facing numerous difficulties due to “yellow card” against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing imposed by the European Commission.
In March and April, seafood businesses are set to engage in the International Seafood Fair programs in Boston, the US and Spain, Hang said, noting that there will be positive outlook for export businesses.
American billionaire Bill Gates visits Da Nang and Hoi An
American billionaire Bill Gates and his partner Paula Hurd are visiting the central city of Da Nang and Hoi An Ancient Town on holiday after attending a pre-wedding party of Asia's richest billionaire Mukesh Ambani's son in India, according to Radio the Voice of Vietnam.
The couple landed on March 4 at Da Nang International Airport on their private plane.
According to BNN Breaking, Gates is returning to the country for the first time in nearly two decades, showcasing its appeal to global elites.
“This journey underscores the interconnectedness of technology, philanthropy, and leisure,” the newspaper said.
 |
| American billionaire Bill Gates and his partner Paula Hurd pose for a photo at a pre-wedding party of Asia's richest billionaire Mukesh Ambani's son in India. (Photo: Instagram Bill Gates) |
It added that the US billionaire is spending approximately five days in Da Nang and Hoi An Ancient Town, staying at a luxurious five-star resort in Son Tra District.
In 2006, Bill Gates arrived in the nation to work with met with representatives of the information technology industry. He also visited Tu Son district in the northern province of Bac Ninh province and experienced local customs, including chewing betel and listening to traditional mandarins.
BNN Breaking shared that this brief trip highlighted Gates' interest in exploring new cultures and supporting technological advancements worldwide.
“His return after 18 years is a testament to Vietnam's growing appeal as a tourist destination for global figures,” BNN Breaking concluded./.