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| Delegates at the "Meet Thailand 2024" in Da Nang on September 27, 2024. (Photo: VNA) |
The event was organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of Vietnam, in collaboration with the Thai Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City and the municipal People’s Committee.
In her opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang emphasised that the event, along with recent similar events in Quang Tri and Lao Cai, is another step forward to implement the 2022-2027 Action Plan for the Vietnam-Thailand Enhanced Strategic Partnership and the “Three Connections” strategy (connecting supply chains of supporting industries, connecting grassroots economies, especially small and medium enterprises, and connecting sustainable development strategies).
She said as the two countries are working towards a bilateral trade target of 25 billion USD in a balanced and sustainable manner, the conference provides a platform for businesses and localities from both countries to promote cooperation, expand trade and investment, and facilitate market access.
Thai Consul-General Wiraka Moodhitaporn highlighted that the conference offers a valuable opportunity to foster trade and investment cooperation, and connect supply chains to support not only local economies but also tourism linkage between Thailand and Vietnam.
She stated that the conference will help Thai businesses gain understanding about Vietnam’s policies and regulations, as well as the benefits of investing and collaborating for sustainable tourism development.
Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Ho Ky Minh expressed his hope that more Thai partners and businesses will explore investment and business opportunities in Da Nang.
The city authorities are committed to creating the most favourable conditions for foreign investors, including Thai enterprises, to operate efficiently and live peacefully in the locality, he said.
At the conference, policymakers and business delegates discussed and proposed strategic solutions to enhance involvement in supply chains and promote the production and consumption of goods, laying the groundwork for deeper cooperation between Thai and Vietnamese stakeholders.
Vietnam Airlines to reopen Can Tho-Phu Quoc air route from October 28
The air route connecting Can Tho with Phu Quoc will be operated by Vietnam Airlines using ATR 72 aircraft, with a capacity of about 72 passengers.
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| ATR-72 aircraft of Vietnam Airlines. (Source: Vietnam Airlines) |
A representative of the Southern Airports Authority in Can Tho said that the Can Tho-Phu Quoc route will be reopened from October 28, 2024.
There will be five flights to/from Can Tho-Phu Quoc per week on every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Of which, flights from Can Tho to Phu Quoc depart at 10h40 while flights from Phu Quoc to Can Tho start at 12h15 with flying time of more than 1 hour, depending on weather conditions.
Earlier, the Can Tho-Phu Quoc route and vice versa were operated by Bamboo Airways with a frequency of one flight a day. Bamboo Airways was the only airline operating this route until November 2023.
In early November 2023, Bamboo Airways withdrew from many domestic and international routes; including the Can Tho-Phu Quoc route.
A representative of the Southern Airports Authority in Can Tho said that the reopening of the Can Tho-Phu Quoc route will contribute to promoting tourism and trade development between the two localities.
Can Tho International Airport currently has domestic flights to Hanoi, Da Nang, Hai Phong and Con Dao; operated by Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air and VASCO.
The airport will have five domestic routes, including the Can Tho-Phu Quoc air route.
Vietnam, Slovenia enhance trade connection
The Vietnam – Slovenia trade forum was co-organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Economics, Tourism and Sports of Slovenia in Hanoi, on September 26.
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| Mr. Vu Ba Phu spoke at the event. (Photo: hanoimoi.vn) |
In his speech at the event, Mr. Vu Ba Phu, Head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency, said that 2024 marks the 30th anniversary of Vietnam – Slovenia diplomatic relations, creating momentum for economic and trade development.
Since the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) took effect, Vietnam – Slovenia bilateral trade turnover has increased 12 fold, from 46.1 million USD in 2012 to 516 million USD in 2023.
By the end of August 2024, Slovenia ranked 92nd out of 146 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, with three valid investment projects and a total registered capital of 2.3 million USD.
Despite impressive growth, the trade turnover between Vietnam and Slovenia is still modest. The two sides saw much potential to expand trade and cooperation because the import and export structure between Vietnam and Slovenia is not only non-competitive but also complementary.
"This offers favorable conditions for businesses of the two countries to build and develop cooperative relationships and diversify supply chains, especially for industries that each side has strengths in, such as agricultural and aquatic products, textiles, footwear, wooden furniture and household appliances of Vietnam or logistics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, electronic products and machinery of Slovenia,” said Mr. Vu Ba Phu.
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| The two sides signed a memorandum of understanding. (Photo: hanoimoi.vn) |
Within the framework of the forum, a Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency and the Slovenian Business Development Agency (SPIRIT Slovenia).
The memorandum created a stable, sustainable and systematic cooperation mechanism; contributing to promoting the cooperative relations between the Trade Promotion Agency and SPIRIT Slovenia, and strengthening the economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Slovenia in general.
At the forum, there were two discussion sessions on sea and road transport services in the context of the global supply chain currently focusing on the Asia-Pacific region and Europe.
The highlight of the forum was the Vietnam - Slovenia Business Connection Program with the participation of nearly 100 businesses in the fields of transport and logistics.
Japan introduces Chugoku as new destination for Vietnamese tourists
Japan is welcoming the increasing number of Vietnamese tourists while the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) in Vietnam is making efforts to promote tourism to Vietnamese travelers.
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| Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter (Okayama Prefecture). Photo: nhandan.vn |
According to JNTO in Vietnam, the number of Vietnamese visitors to Japan in August 2024 reached 52,400, and the total number in the first eight months of the year was 434,000, an increase of 19.9% over the same period in 2019 and a rise of 2.9% over the same period in 2023.
With the current growth momentum, Japan expects that from now until the end of the year, the number of visitors from Vietnam will reach the highest-ever rate.
Japan is making efforts to promote and advertise tourism to Vietnamese tourists. On September 25, JNTO in Vietnam introduced the 2024 campaign with the theme “Japan - Local Experience, Diverse Discovery”.
The agency’s office has produced a video to promote Japan’s tourism campaign this year. The video starts with a visit to Izumo Taisha Shrine, known as “the land of gods, the land of myths”. After that, visitors can enjoy the impressive craftsmanship of artisans, and stroll through beautiful towns that still retain the appearance of the Edo period and unique Japanese gardens.
With the launch of direct flights, JNTO encourages Vietnamese tourists to choose Chugoku as a new tourist destination. Travelers can explore the Bizen Osafune Sword Museum (Okayama Prefecture), Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter (Okayama Prefecture) and Adachi Museum of Art (Shimane Prefecture).
From May 12, Vietjet Air operated direct flights between Hanoi and Hiroshima Prefecture, making it easier to access Hiroshima Prefecture and other prefectures in the Chugoku region from Hanoi./.