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| The delegation of Hokkaido prefecture led by its Governor Suzuki Naomichi and representatives from Japanese enterprises are welcomed at Van Don International Airport. (Photo: VNA) |
The flight carried 274 passengers including a delegation of Hokkaido prefecture led by its Governor Suzuki Naomichi and representatives from Japanese enterprises.
The Japanese delegation’s visit to Vietnam is within the framework of the Hokkaido Festival in Ha Long in 2023, held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic relations and the 60th founding anniversary of Quang Ninh province.
The event also aims to concretise the exchange and cooperation agreement between Hokkaido and Quang Ninh signed on September 9, 2022. It also contributes to developing the friendship and cooperation between the two localities, enhancing mutual understanding and trust, and promoting their extensive and extensive collaboration in areas in which both sides have strengths.
At the welcoming ceremony, representatives of Quang Ninh province and Van Don International Airport told the Japanese delegation about the airport and the potential for tourism cooperation between the two sides.
The Governor of Hokkaido expressed his joy and surprise when the first flight connecting Hokkaido and Quang Ninh was fully booked, proving the great interest of the Japanese people in Quang Ninh in particular and Vietnam in general.
Representatives from Van Don airport wished that authorities in Hokkaido and Quang Ninh will support airlines to launch direct flights connecting the two localities.
After nearly 5 years of operation, Van Don International Airport has seen 6,131 flights, including 560 international ones. It served 755,000 passengers, consisting of nearly 80,000 foreigners.
US issues conclusion on tax evasion investigation of Vietnamese steel pipe products
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| US issues conclusion on tax evasion investigation of Vietnamese steel pipe products (Photo: VNA) |
The United States’ Department of Commerce (DOC) has issued a conclusion of its investigation into trade remedy tax evasion on a number of steel pipe products imported from Vietnam, which was launched on August 4, 2022 targeting steel pipes codes HS 7306.61 and 7306.30, according to Vietnam News Agency.
The investigation was prompted by accusations that Vietnamese steel makers imported hot rolled steel (HRS), the main raw material used to produce steel pipes, from mainland China, Taiwan (China), the Republic of Korea, and India, and then processed it into steel pipes for export to the US. Firms making the accusation believe that Vietnamese processors had done so in order to evade the respective trade remedy tax that the US is levying on the aforementioned countries.
On August 3 this year, the DOC concluded that certain circular welded carbon steel pipes and circular welded non-alloy steel pipe which were imported from Vietnam did not evade anti-dumping and countervailing duties that the US is currently applying to similar products from Taiwan (China), due to the fact that these products did not use hot-rolled steel (HRS) sourced from Taiwan.
Then on November 9, the DOC issued final conclusions on the remaining investigated steel pipe products saying that Vietnamese makers of those products had evaded the anti-dumping/countervailing duties imposed by the US on China, Taiwan (China), the Republic of Korea, and India.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade noted that the DOC, however, allowed Vietnamese exporters to participate in the self-certification mechanism to confirm that they do not use HRS originating from China, Taiwan (China), the Republic of Korea, and India to be exempt from the measures.
Da Nang among best places to go in Asia next year: CN Traveler
Da Nang captures the second place after Bangkok China town in Conde Nast Traveller (CN Traveler)’s list of the 11 best places to visit in Asia in 2024, according to Vietnam News Agency.
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| Golden Bridge is an iconic landmark of Da Nang city. (Photo: VNA) |
The US luxury and lifestyle travel magazine announced the list on November 15, saying across the region, new experiences, events and accommodation options await.
“It’s official, Asia is back—brighter, bolder, and more ambitious than ever. The region took longer than others to shake off pandemic-related travel restrictions and border closures, but has returned in full force, eager to remind international travelers what they’ve been missing,” it said.
The magazine described Da Nang, a modern beach city located amid dozens of Vietnam's UNESCO-recognised heritage sites in the central region - the ancient port city of Hoi An and the former imperial city of Hue - as “one of Asia’s big post-COVID success stories", with 2023 international arrivals exceeding pre-pandemic figures.
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| Son Tra Peninsula, 20 minutes from the city centre, is a tourist draw. (Photo: VNA) |
The result was partly spurred by new flight routes that make the “city of bridges” easier to get to than ever before, according to the magazine.
In 2023, Vietnam Airlines reopened its popular Tokyo route and several Asian airlines launched flights to the city, with plenty more in the works. Every June, more than 150 daily flights deliver tourists eager to witness the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival.
Son Tra Peninsula, 20 minutes from the city centre, is a tourist draw, home to a 17-storey, 220-foot statue of Lady Buddha and endangered red-shanked douc langurs.
The central region’s staples such as Mi Quang (Quang Nam-styled flat noodle) and banh xeo (sizzling pancakes) should be another feature of any travel itinerary, it suggested.
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| Mi Quang is a must-try dish. (Photo: VNA) |
Da Nang is also renowned for an array of stunning hotels and resorts, including InterContinental Sun Peninsula Resort and Ma Belle Danang.
Other destinations on CN Traveler’s list are Kathmandu Valley (Nepal), Kobe (Japan), Kochi (India), Mongolia, Ras Al Khaimah (UAE), the Red Sea (Saudi Arabia), Singapore, the Silk Road (Uzbekistan), and south and central Sri Lanka./.