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| Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province (Photo: baochinhphu.vn) |
The magazine said the bay is beloved for its blue waters and spread of limestone islands, all occupied by tropical trees and wildlife. It suggested visitors board a sailing ship to experience the beauty (and associated myths and stories) of the mist-shrouded emerald basin.
The formation of Ha Long Bay dates over 500 million years and the limestone that is found in the bay began forming around 340 million years ago. Over time, the bay has gone through countless changes resulting in its today’s magnificent natural landscape. Its core area, which has been recognised by the UNESCO as a World Natural Heritage, is 434sq.km and comprises 775 limestone islands and islets.
Other destinations on the Condé Nast Traveler’s list include the Amazon (South America), Angel Falls (Venezuela), Antarctica, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (Japan), Atacama Desert (Chile) and Avenue of the Baobabs (Madagascar).
Da Nang among most sought-after destinations for Indian tourists
The central city of Da Nang features in the list of the top 10 most sought-after destinations for Indian tourists, Radio the Voice of Vietnam quoted the information of the global travel search site Skyscanner.
Skyscanner’s latest report on India’s travel landscape indicates that searches for Da Nang increased by 1141%, twice as much as the second-ranked city, Almaty of Kazakhstan.
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| A fine art kite flying festival is held at Da Nang beach (Photo: vietnamnet.vn) |
The report revealed that Indian travelers are keen on short-haul destinations where they are able to relax on beaches. Among the most popular choices for Indian tourists is therefore Da Nang, with the central city being renowned for its pristine waters and pleasant temperatures.
Skyscanner also noted that Indian travelers consider food as the top factor at 71%. Elsewhere, weather at 65%, the cultural experience of the destination at 65%, shopping at 49%, historical sightseeing at 45%, and local food at 38% were also important.
Most notably, the central city is also famous for delicious fresh seafood and luxury restaurants which serve various different types of Halal Indian food.
When it comes to shopping, Han Market and Con Market are also the most popular destinations for Indian tourists to visit.
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Dragon bridge in Da Nang city (Photo: baodanang.vn)
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The nation welcomed 10 million international tourists during the first 10 months of the year, including 314,000 Indian visitors, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).
The improved air links between the nation and India have made it easier for travelers of the two nations over recent times.
Exhibition features costumes of Vietnamese ethnic minorities opens in France
An exhibition showcasing the traditional costumes of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities by French collector Alain Dussarps was held on November 7 at the Vietnam Cultural Center in Paris, according to Radio the Voice of Vietnam.
The event was organised under the France-Vietnam Friendship Association (AAFV)’s initiative as part of efforts to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations and 10 years of the France-Vietnam strategic partnership.
On display at the occasion were a collection of 70 costumes, hats, scarves, and many accessories, jewelry, and daily items of more than 30 Vietnamese ethnic groups.
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| The exhibition displays traditional costumes of Vietnamese ethnic groups (Photo: VNA) |
Upon addressing the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang underscored the importance of the function in introducing the various traditional costumes of the nation’s ethnic minorities from different regions across the nation to international friends.
He highlighted French collector Dussarps's love for the Vietnamese people, as well as his enthusiasm and contribution to humanitarian projects in Vietnam which have helped ethnic minorities in remote mountainous areas to overcome difficulties faced in their daily life.
The exhibition is due to last until November 12 and is expected to elevate the nation’s image, call for support from international friends, and contribute to cultivating the friendship between the two peoples of Vietnam and France.
UK newspaper highlights Vietnam’s growth potential
Vietnam is now a thriving regional hub with ample scope for further rapid development, the Vietnam News Agency quoted an article recently published on the UK news site of financial analysis moneyweek.com.
According to the author, Vietnam’s smartphone dominance is in large part due to huge investments by the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s giant Samsung. The country is intent on pivoting from “labor-intensive” textiles and electrical assembly work into more profitable sectors, such as semiconductors. Foreign capital is keen to help, given the growing pressure to diversify supply chains.
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| Smartphone production at Samsung Electronics Vietnam Company Limited located in Yen Binh Industrial Park, Thai Nguyen province. (File photo: VNA) |
“Vietnam’s booming economy has remained below the radar for most foreign investors for a simple reason: it is still not classified as an emerging market by MSCI,” noted the article. An upgrade to emerging market (EM) status would prompt large inflows from funds that track the benchmark EM index, delivering a boost to local stocks of an estimated 5 billion USD – 8 billion USD.
Vietnamese stocks are the single largest component of the frontier-markets sector, and foreign investors have spent recent years betting that an upgrade for such a dynamic emerging economy was only a matter of time, it said.
Meanwhile, Vietnam has faced milder inflation than many Western economies of late, enabling the central bank to cut interest rates four times this year.
“For investors, the volatile nature of the local stock market means that Vietnam isn’t yet one to put at the centre of a portfolio, but it still merits a nibble,” said the author, adding that even as a frontier market, the Southeast Asian nation is a compelling play./.