 |
|
Foreign tourists in Binh Thuan province (Photo: baobinhthuan.com.vn)
|
Specifically, Binh Thuan province welcomed more than 4.5 million visitors, representing an increase of 5% on-year. Of the figure, more than 234,000 were international visitors, up 88% compared to last year's corresponding period.
The locality’s tourism revenue was estimated at over VND11,832 billion, up 4% against the same period from last year.
Meanwhile, Ninh Thuan province received nearly two million visitors in the reviewed period, thereby fulfilling more than 61% of the set plan and increasing by over 15%.
Specifically, over 51,000 international visitors headed to the locality, witnessing a 2.5-fold rise against the same period from last year. The locality grossed VND2,242 billion from tourism revenue, up nearly 65% on-year.
 |
|
Foreign tourists learn about pottery making in Ninh Thuan Province. (Photo: VNA)
|
Most notably, international tourists from the Republic of Korea, China, Russia, Germany, the UK, and the United States accounted for a large proportion.
To attract more international tourists to the area, these provinces are making great efforts to diversify markets, improve service and product quality, while fully tapping into advantages of resort tourism, health care tourism, and adventure sports tourism.
Google offers 40,000 AI scholarships in Vietnam
Google has unveiled that it will provide 40,000 scholarships to people in Vietnam with the aim of equipping Vietnamese young generations with the latest artificial intelligence (AI) skills, whilst expanding development opportunities in the AI field for both domestic workforce and startups, said Radio the Voice of Vietnam.
The grant is part of the programme "Building for Vietnam's AI Future" that was launched by Google in collaboration with the National Innovation Center (NIC) and the Ministry of Planning and Investment on July 11 in a bid to boost AI development in the country.
Accordingly, the company will introduce a total of 10 training courses, including the newly launched course titled Google AI Essentials which will provide the latest AI skills for young people, officials, lecturers, and students of more than 80 universities and colleges across the country.
 |
| Google offers 40,000 AI scholarships in Vietnam (Photo: VOV) |
Upon addressing the launching ceremony, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Duy Dong emphasized that the programme has demonstrated Google’s commitments to promoting the AI ecosystem in the country as it seeks to equip human resources with the necessary skills to seize opportunities in the new era, while supporting startups to innovate based on AI technology.
Furthermore, experts from Google revealed hat the nation boasts huge opportunities in relation to AI thanks to its dynamic startup community, the proportion of young people who are tech-savvy accounting for 20% of the total population, and the Government's support policies.
However, despite the economic growth prospects relating to AI, Vietnam still faces a shortage of human resources and experts in this field.
Sharing this perspective, Marc Woo, managing director of Vietnam at Google Asia Pacific, stressed that the Vietnamese digital economy is expected to see 11-fold rise by 2030 to reach US$220 billion, equivalent to nearly half of the country’s current GDP.
AI is one of the key factors to achieve the target, he stressed, adding that the initiative will provide a solid foundation for domestic talents, startups, and businesses, as well as helping them to make the most of Google's AI products and solutions.
Binh Dinh trade fair features special seafoods
As many as 55 food business establishments, restaurants, and traditional craft villages are showcasing seafood and “One commune, One product” (OCOP) products at a trade fair in the central province of Binh Dinh, which kicked off on July 11, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
The five-day event is part of the 2024 Binh Dinh Essence of Land and Sea Festival, the highlight of which is the demonstration of skills in dissecting a 50 kg, 1.4-meter-long Pacific bluefin tuna by Japanese chef Tatsuhiko Itano. There is also a cocktail mixing performance featuring Bau Da liquor, a specialty from Binh Dinh.
 |
| A big crispy & savory pancake made at the event (Photo: VNA) |
The event offers a chance for visitors to interact with chefs, and personally grill tuna according to their preferences, as well as sample unique cocktails.
According to Vice Director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Dinh Kha, Binh Dinh tuna products are not only popular and highly consumed domestically but also exported to European countries.
The event is expected to help the locality create a distinctive brand for Binh Dinh tuna, contributing to attracting more tourists, thus bringing about amotivation for the local socio-economic development, he said.
Da Lat railway station recognised as tourist destination
The Da Lat railway station in the resort city of Da Lat, which has captured visitors’ hearts with its unique architecture and ambience, was officially named a tourist destination of the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong at a ceremony on July 11, the Vietnam News Agency reported.
Director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Trung Kien said the top-hill station is not only an architectural marvel of the city but also a place that preserves the railway sector’s history.
Over the past time, night services have been offered on the train route linking the city centre and the suburb tourist site of Trai Mat, providing a new experience for passengers to enjoy the night-time beauty of Da Lat, he said, highlighting the railway station has been on the beaten track, with visitors flocking to explore its history.
He went on to say that the recognition aims at promoting local tourism, creating favourable conditions for both domestic and foreign tourism service providers to study cooperation and investment opportunities at the station, while encouraging travel firms to improve the quality of their offerings.
 |
| The Da Lat railway station has captured the hearts of visitors. (Photo: VNA) |
With a view to making the station a destination of culture, art, history and heritage, the Vietnam Railway Corporation has upgraded and developed various transport products on the the Da Lat – Trai Mat route.
During January-June, the nearly century-old station welcomed 275,000 visitors, and gained more than 11.4 billion VND (over 448,000 USD) in revenue.
More rail rides will be arranged in the coming time, giving visitors opportunities to enjoy the city’s sunrise and serene landscapes.
The station’s new entrance fee will be introduced from October 1 this year.
The station, designed by two French architects, Moncet and Revéron, and built between 1932 and 1938, has been seen as the most gorgeous ancient one in Vietnam and the whole Indochina. Its façade represents the three peaks of Langbiang Mountain and stilt houses in the Central Highlands.
It was a stop on the 84km Phan Rang - Da Lat railway, a route built by the French to connect the south central province of Ninh Thuan with the Central Highlands.
With its special architectural and cultural values, the Da Lat railway station was recognised as a national historic relic site in 2001./.