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| Nha Trang ranked top five destinations in Asia for diving (Photo: VOV) |
Nha Trang is gaining popularity as a diving destination thanks to its warm waters coupled with a colourful marine ecosystem which makes it an inviting spot to enjoy underwater exploration activities, Agoda reported.
The Hon Mun Marine Protected Area represents a top dive site which is known for its clear waters and diverse marine life. Here, divers can explore coral reefs which are teeming with colourful fish and other marine creatures, it wrote.
Bali in Indonesia came out as the top dive destination, with the island being known for its beaches and rich culture, as well as an abundance of marine life.
Thailand’s Phuket came in second, with the area boasting a treasure trove of dive sites which are waiting to be explored. The subtropical climate and clear waters of Okinawa in Japan ranked third on the list as they offer some of Japan’s best diving experiences. The region’s unique underwater landscapes coupled with rich biodiversity make it a top choice for divers.
Cebu in the Philippines was placed fourth and is a diver’s haven teeming with marine life. The island offers a range of diving sites which are suitable for all levels of divers.
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| Photo: nhatrang-tourist.com |
Asia offers some of the most spectacular diving experiences found anywhere in the world. From shipwrecks to vibrant coral reefs, each destination provides unique underwater adventures for divers of all levels, according to Agoda.
The ranking was based on accommodation bookings made on Agoda between January and June this year.
RoK remains largest consumer of Vietnamese squid and octopus
The Republic of Korea (RoK) remained the largest consumer of Vietnamese squid and octopus with exports to this market soaring by 13% on-year to reach US$114 million during the first half of this year, Radio the Voice of Vietnam quoted the details given by the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
Most notably, octopus made up the country's major export product to the market in the reviewed period, accounting for 71.9%, while squid exports made up only 28.1%.
The second quarter of the year witnessed squid and octopus exports to the RoK also edge up by 13% to US$58 million against the same period from last year.
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| RoK remains largest consumer of Vietnamese squid and octopus (Photo: thuongmai.vn) |
Key items to the demanding market included dried, salted, fresh, and frozen octopus products, accounting for 68% of the total export value. This product group enjoyed an increase of 18%, while the processed octopus group witnessed a fall of 15%.
According to data released by the International Trade Center (ITC), the RoK's squid and octopus imports from other countries in the first half of the year endured a fall of 3% to US$494 million.
Vietnam ranked second in terms of supplying squid and octopus to the RoK after China, with the Vietnamese and Chinese market shares making up 46% and 24% of the total import value of squid and octopus, respectively.
Currently, the RoK’s demand for processed foods has been increasing rapidly, thereby representing a positive sign for Vietnamese squid and octopus exports to this market this year.
According to insiders, Vietnamese squid and octopus exports to the RoK market will continue to see positive growth moving forward as the ban placed on Japanese seafood imports into China has not yet been lifted as a result of Japan's nuclear wastewater discharge.
National steering committee on semiconductor development set up
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has recently signed a decision on the establishment of a national steering committee on semiconductor industry development (steering committee), said the Vietnam News Agency.
The steering committee, an inter-sectoral coordination organisation, is tasked with helping the Government and Prime Minister study, direct and coordinate with competent sides to handle important related issues.
Besides, it will be responsible for researching, giving consultations, recommendations and measures, as well as facilitating the coordination between relevant ministries and ministerial-level agencies, Government bodies, and related organisations to bolster the semiconductor industry development.
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| By 2045, Vietnam eyes to become an important link in the global semiconductor industry value chain. (Photo: VNA) |
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is the head of the committee, while deputy heads are the Minister of Planning and Investment, and the Minister of Information and Communications.
By 2045, Vietnam eyes to become an important link in the global semiconductor industry value chain with a contingent of engineers and experts capable of meeting the industry's requirements in both quality and quantity.
The country also plans to deeply engage in the semiconductor packaging and testing process, aiming to master part of the associated technology, as well as train 50,000 engineers to serve the industry across all stages of the value chain by 2030.
Nearly 160 out of about 240 universities across the nation are providing technology training, which would be expanded to semiconductors, and 35 educational institutions are offering majors related to semiconductors.
On May 3, the Vietnam National Innovation Centre (NIC) and Samsung Vietnam officially kick-started a technology talent development programme called ‘Samsung Innovation Campus (SIC)’ for the academic year 2023-2024 in Hanoi. It is the first joint effort between Samsung Vietnam and the NIC to realise the goal of training 50,000 semiconductor engineers by 2030.
Nhon-Hanoi Station metro line carries 34,184 passengers on first day of operation
The 8.5 km elevated section of the Nhon-Hanoi Station urban railway line in the capital city welcomed over 34,184 passengers on its first day of operation on August 8, the Vietnam News Agency quoted the figures of the Hanoi Metro Co, Ltd.
This figure surpasses the record set by the 13.1km Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line, the first one to be operational in Hanoi and in the country, which saw 25,680 passengers on the opening day.
The majority of passengers on the Nhon- Cau Giay metro section are people commuting to work or school. This suggests that passenger numbers on this route are likely to be significantly higher than on the Cat Linh-Ha Dong, said Vu Hong Truong, General Director of Hanoi Metro.
The operation and management have been highly successful, ensuring safety and passenger satisfaction. At the stations, staff, train operators and security personnel efficiently carried out their duties. The ticketing and boarding processes were fully automated.
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| Nhon-Hanoi Station metro line carries 34,184 passengers on first day of operation. (Photo: hanoionline.vn) |
In the first 15 days of the commercial operation, free rides are offered to all passengers.
After that, the standard monthly fare will be 200,000 VND (8 USD). A 50% discount will be available for students and industrial workers.
The ticket will be 140,000 VND for those purchasing group tickets of 30 or more. Single journey tickets will be priced at 24,000 VND, allowing unlimited travel for the day.
Tickets for travel between stations will range from 8,000 VND to 12,000 VND. A day pass with unlimited rides costs 24,000 VND. Meanwhile, free rides are still offered to children under six, revolution contributors and the elderly aged over 60 years old.
In the first three months, the opening time will be 5.30 am and the closing time will be 10pm, with a train available every 10 minutes.
The metro line spans 12.5 km, with the elevated section covering 8.5 km and the underground section covering 4 km.
The metro project started in 2009 and was originally slated to be finished in 2015 but after delays and setbacks, it is expected for completion in 2027.
Once fully operational, the line is expected to help reduce traffic congestion and pressure on buses on the same route./.