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| The pedestrian space around Hanoi's Hoan Kiem Lake attracts both domestic and foreign visitors (Photo: VNA) |
In its announcement, the municipal People’s Committee said the space around Hoan Kiem Lake and neighbouring areas as well as pedestrian streets in the Old Quarter will be available from 7pm on December 29 to midnight on January 1, 2024, instead of only weekend as usual.
The extension aims to facilitate visitors’ recreation demand during the holiday, according to Pham Tuan Long, Chairman of the district People’s Committee.
The pedestrian spaces around Hoan Kiem Lake and pedestrian streets in the Old Quarter have become an attractive destination, drawing a lot of local residents and visitors at weekends and on holidays.
The pedestrian space around Hoan Kiem Lake welcomes an average of 20,000-27,000 visitors on weekend, and even 40,000 during holidays.
Additional 3,000 train tickets on sale for Tet holidays
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| The railway sector planned to provide over 200,000 seats on 390 trains for the Tet holidays (Photo: VNA) |
The Sai Gon Railway Transport Joint Stock Company (Saratrans) has initially added 3,000 tickets for the Lunar New Year (Tet) holidays – the biggest festival in a year of Vietnamese people, reported Vietnam News Agency.
These tickets are being on sale from December 26 on all channels of the railway sector.
They are for passengers travelling from Sai Gon station (Ho Chi Minh City), Di An (Binh Duong) and Bien Hoa (Dong Nai) in the south to stations from Quang Ngai province in the central region to Hanoi capital city and vice versa, from January 31 to February 19, 2024 (the 21st day of the last lunar month to the 10th day of the first lunar month).
Previously, the railway sector planned to provide over 200,000 seats on 390 trains for the Tet holidays.
Saratrans general director Thai Van Truyen said that after more than two months on sale from October 20, over 130,000 tickets have been sold.
Gold price sets new record on Dec. 26 noon
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| Gold price sets new record on Dec. 26 noon (Photo: VNA) |
The domestic gold price has continued its rising trend, hitting a new record of 80 million VND (3,291 USD) per tael (37.5 grams) on December 26 noon, reported Vietnam News Agency.
In Hanoi, the DOJI Gold & Gems Group listed the buying and selling prices of SJC gold at 79.2 million VND and 80.2 million VND per tael, respectively, a respective rise of 1.9 million VND 1.7 million VND per tael compared to December 25’s closing session.
Similarly, Phu Quy Jewelry Group also listed its purchase price of SJC gold at 78.8 million VND per tael, and the selling price at 80 million VND per tael, up 1.5 million VND per tael and 1.6 million VND per tael, respectively compared to the closing session on December 25.
The Saigon Jewelry Company (SJC) hiked the buying price of gold by 1.6 million VND per tael to 79 million VND per tael, while raising the selling price by 1.8 million VND per tael to 80.22 million VND.
Vietnam a leading destination for French visitors: French daily
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| Phu Quoc is among top destinations in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA) |
Despite belt tightening as a result of gloomy global economic situation, French could not give up their travel temptation. Vietnam, along with Japan and Thailand, was the top choice for French vacationers during Christmas holiday, Vietnam News Agency quoted report of French daily Le Figaro.
Le Figaro quoted president of travel firms association Valérie Boned as saying that although costs are high, the French want to go somewhere to celebrate their holiday; however, they gave a more careful consideration to the tours.
The rise of Asia, and increasing geopolitical tensions and inflation rates in Europe and the Middle East have resulted in the change of the French’s travel map.
Asia’s tourism industry bounced back strongly this year, said Guillaume Linton, Director General of Asia Voyage– a leading tour operator in Asia-Pacific, adding that Vietnam, Japan and Thailand’s tourism markets were on a good recovery in 2023 as they recorded higher revenue than four years ago.
While the Middle East is experiencing mounting geopolitical tension, Asia has become a safe destination for travelers, he said.
Although prices surged from 25-30%, there was an increasing number of French registering for tours to Asia, he elaborated.
Last month, Vietnam’s tourism potential and opportunities were spotlighted at a seminar held at the Vietnamese Cultural Centre in Paris.
Stricter rules for local businesses to boost farm produce to China
Local businesses have exerted great efforts to meet the high standards set by Chinese importers as part of efforts to boost agricultural products to the highly lucrative market, VOV News quoted sayings of industry insiders.
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| Photo for illustration |
Tran Van Ut, director of a seafood import-export company based in Mong Cai city in the northern province of Quang Ninh, revealed that the firm has proactively deployed the planning of raw material areas in order to meet China’s stricter regulations on packaging, logistic services, and preservation to make further inroads into the demanding market.
The company has three products which have been exclusively exported to the Chinese market, including Ben Tre white clams, flower clams, and paper clams, he added.
The company is currently co-operating alongside Chinese partners which are allowed to import exclusively in the northern neighbour to bring more local products to the market, thereby raising higher revenue for the firm.
According to Quan Hue Van, director of Duc Vu Logistics Co., Ltd. in Dongxing city, despite huge potential, Vietnamese farm produce and aquatic products have not yet penetrated deeply into the Chinese market as businesses have not linked to major corporations, modern distribution channels, or online networks, as well as big supermarkets in China.
Van emphasized that there is ample room for Vietnamese farm produce in China, adding that the company has paid close attention to farming areas and meet stringent requirements set in terms of packaging, origin traceability, and other rules as a means of further boosting exports to the fastidious market.
Recently, three types of products, namely frozen seafood, aquatic animals used for food, and some types of plant varieties, have just been approved by the Chinese quarantine agency to enter China through Bac Luan II Bridge.
The move has opened up plenty of opportunities for Vietnamese businesses to gain entry to the market, as well as other countries around the world./.