Ho Chi Minh City makes efforts to develop develop historic and cultural heritage attractions

Tuesday, 11/10/2022 17:15
Ho Chi Minh City authorities are focusing on efforts to develop historic and cultural heritage attractions and tourism products and services at night to boost the tourism industry and exploit the night economy, VNA cited the city leaders’ saying.
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A performance of kylin and dragon dances at the Garden Mall in HCM City’s District 5. Kylin and dragon dances are performed twice a month to serve domestic and foreign visitors. (Photo: VNA) 

The city’s Tourism Development Strategy from now until 2030 would highlight the vital role of historic and cultural heritage attractions in the development of tourism products, said Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, deputy director of the city’s Department of Tourism.

The tourism sector had been conducting surveys on historic and cultural heritage attractions citywide and coordinating with local authorities to put them into tour packages, Hieu said.

The strategy outlined a plan to build night-time tourism products and services and exploit the potential of the nighttime economy, she said at a television programme entitled “People Ask-HCM City Authorities Answer” on October 9.

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Photo for illustration (Source: hcmgov.org.vn) 

The departments of tourism and culture and sports have worked together to develop cultural and art performance programmes to serve tourists, including don ca tai tu (southern folk music), hat boi (classical drama), and cai luong (reformed opera) performances.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Thuy, deputy director of the city Department of Culture and Sports, said the Phu Tho circus and multi-purpose performing centre project in the city’s District 11 would begin construction this year.

Renovation of existing theatres would also be carried out soon to provide more places for art performances to serve tourists, Thuy said.

Tran The Dung, director of Fiditour, said many historic and cultural heritage attractions had not met the requirements to serve tourists due to a lack of appropriate investment.

The tourism authorities needed to make specific plans to connect historic and cultural heritage attractions in districts to make them unique tourism products, Dung said.

There was a lack of nighttime entertainment activities and large art performances to serve tourists, he said.

Cao Thanh Binh, head of the People’s Council’s socio-culture board, said the city had not yet realised its huge potential for cultural tourism.

"The city is home to 185 relics, of which only 40 relics are exploited as cultural heritage attractions," Binh said.

Heavy rain likely to flood central Vietnam

Central Vietnam is experiencing a big spell of heavy rain as a result of the ongoing cold air wave that is prompting floodwaters to swell up and submerge parts of the region, reported VOV.

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A major street in Tuy Hoa city has been turned into a river as a consequence of heavy rain. (Source: VOV) 

The cold spell that struck northern Vietnam two days ago have brought heavy downpours to central localities for the past two days.

In less than 24 hours from 07.00 on October 10 to 03:00 on October 11, provinces stretching from Thua Thien-Hue to Binh Dinh received between 150-400mm of rain. Several localities such as Bach Ma, Tam Lanh, Tra Hiep and Ba Lien even collected approximately 500mm of rain.

Heavy rain caused violent floodwaters and cut off parts of Tu Mo Rong district of Kon Tum province. The local administration allowed more than 8,000 students to stay at home for safety reasons.

Torrential rains also turned major streets in Tuy Hoa city of Phu Yen province into rivers on October 11 morning. Severe flooding in rush hours disrupted traffic and inundated houses, causing people’s life to be plunged into chaos. 

In the ancient town of Hoi An, a UNESCO-recognised World Heritage site, water levels in its river exceeded the alert level 3, flooding a large area in the locality. All preschools, primary and lower secondary schools were requested to temporarily close on October 11 until further notice.

Heavy rain is forecast to continue to pour down in the region on October 11 that will cause water levels in regional rivers to rise above the alert level 2. Though rain will let up on October 12, a new spell of heavy rain is anticipated to hit the region again on October 13-15.

Weather experts warned the region about a high risk of flashfloods, landslides, and severe flooding on a large scale.

Vietnam spends over US$6.8 billion importing petroleum over nine months

The past nine months of the year saw Vietnam import over 6.5 million tonnes of petroleum worth US$6.833 billion, up 22.7% in volume and 131.8% in value year on year, VOV reported the statistic by  the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

In September alone, petroleum businesses spent US$616.1 million on importing 627,652 tonnes, up 34.8% in volume and 27.8% in value compared to the previous month.

The Republic of Korea was the largest supplier in nine months, delivering more than 2.5 million tonnes worth US$2.745 billion, representing a 91.62% rise in volume and accounting for 39.16% of Vietnam’s total petroleum imports.

Meanwhile, China emerged as Vietnam’s major petroleum importer, purchasing more than 627,000 tonnes in nine months for US$676 million, representing a 2.3-fold rise in volume and a 4.42-fold rise in value year on year.

Despite an increase in petroleum imports, many retail petrol stations have recently scaled down operations due to a shortage of supply sources. They complained that incorrect calculations in discount rates by petroleum trading enterprises affected their operations.

At present, the retail prices of E5 RON 92 and RON 95 gasoline stand at VND20,732 and VND21,443 per litre, respectively, while diesel oil, kerosene, and mazut oil were traded at VND22,208/litre, VND21,688/litre, and VND14,094/kg, respectively.

The government is scheduled to adjust petroleum prices on October 11 afternoon, with the retail prices likely to bounce back following four consecutive decreases.

Hanoi honours ten outstanding citizens

According to VNA, ten outstanding citizens of Hanoi were honoured for their extraordinary contributions to the capital city's development at a recent event.

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Ten outstanding citizens of Hanoi are honoured for their extraordinary contributions to the capital city's development at event held on October 10. (Photo: VNA) 

The event was organsied to review 30 years of the city’s movement “Good People, Good Deeds” (1992 – 2022) and commemorate the 68th anniversary of Hanoi Liberation Day (October 10, 1954 – 2022).

In his remarks, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh recalled the historic day when Hanoi was liberated from the French colonists in 1954, saying 68 years since then, Hanoi has got a new look with an increasingly heightening position and reputation.

The city has transformed itself into a national centre of politics, culture, science, education and economy and a growth driver of the Red River Delta and the whole country as well, he said.

Thanh noted that the “Good People, Good Deeds” has become a signature movement of Hanoi. Nearly 30,000 people have been awarded the title of “Good People, Good Deeds”over the last three decades while 119 others have been honoured as the capital’s outstanding citizens, he said.

This year, 747 individuals were granted the title of “Good People, Good Deeds”, while the list of outstanding citizens included people of various professions, including Buddhist monk, doctor, factory worker, educator, businessperson, photographer, athlete, and military and public security officer./.

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