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| Tourists visit Temple of Literature in Hanoi (Photo: tuoitrethudo.vn) |
In June alone, Vietnam welcomed more than 1.2 million international tourists, a year on year rise of 28.1%.
The increase was mainly attributed to the country’s favourable visa policy and enhanced tourism promotion programmes by provinces and centrally-run cities nationwide.
Of the total, the number of holidaymakers arriving Vietnam by air accounted for 83.8%, while those coming by road made up 14.3% and by sea, 1.9%.
Revenues from accommodation and restaurant services were estimated to go up by 15.2% and from travel tourism increased 37.1% from the same period last year.
Since the beginning of the year, provinces and cities have stepped up tourism promotion and popularisation programmes to woo both domestic and foreign visitors.
Typically, the capital city of Hanoi has attracted more than 14 million visitors in the first six months, rising 13.7% from a year earlier. That includes 3.16 million foreign arrivals, soaring 52.6% year on year, statistics show.
The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) has also organised various activities to attract international visitors. It has been holding programmes to introduce Vietnam’s tourism in Paris (France), Milan (Italy) and Frankfurt (Germany) from June 24 to July 2.
Europe has been a key source of tourists for Vietnam. Last year, Vietnam served over 1.4 million European visitors, up 187% from 2022.
The 2024 Vietnam Culture and Tourism Festival in the Republic of Korea (RoK) will take place from June 29 to July 3, the VNAT said.
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| Tourists in Ninh Binh province (Photo: VNA) |
Within the framework of the festival, there will be a forum on tourism promotion and cultural cooperation between the two countries, a business meeting with the participation of Vietnam’s senior leaders, a space to promote the image of the Vietnamese country, people, and tourism culture, and art performances.
The VNAT said that this will be an opportunity for it, as well as localities, and businesses to introduce attractive policies, destinations, and products, and also a chance for enterprises to establish business cooperation and attract more Korean tourists.
Last year, Vietnam welcomed 12.6 million foreign tourists, including 3.6 million Koreans, making the RoK top in the number of international visitors to Vietnam.
Meanwhile, around 420,000 Vietnamese people chose the East Asian nation as their holiday destination.
Vietnam’s GDP growth reaches 6.42% in first half
Vietnam's economy grew by 6.42% in the first six months of 2024, slightly lower than the figure of 6.58% in the same time of 2022 within the 2020-2024 period, the Vietnam News Agency quoted the figures which the General Statistics Office (GSO) announced at a press conference in Hanoi on June 29.
Of the economy’s total value added growth, the sectors of agro-forestry-fishery, industry-construction, and services grew by 3.38%, 7.51%, and 6.64%, contributing 5.96%, 44.28% and 49.76%, respectively. The GSO also highlighted that within the service sector, exports surged, aligning with the global recovery in consumer demand, positively affecting the country's economic growth.
Regarding the economic structure in the first half, the agro-forestry-fishery accounted for 11.55%, while the industry-construction and service areas made up 36.44% and 43.35%.
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| A view of the Van Phong Economic Zone situated in the northern part of Khanh Hoa province. (Photo: VNA) |
In terms of GDP usage in the period, final consumption and asset accumulation rose by 5.78% and 6.72% year-on-year, contributing 64.26% and 35.15% to the overall economic growth. The export and import of goods and services were up by 16.89% and 16.95%, with the trade balance contributing 0.59%.
For the second quarter, the country's economic growth reached 6.93%, just lower than the rate of 7.99% in the second quarter of 2022 in the 2020-2024 period.
Speaking at the event, GSO General Director Nguyen Thi Huong said Vietnam's socio-economic situation in the second quarter achieved positive results amid global economic uncertainties.
The Government’s management policies, led by the Prime Minister and various ministries and localities, have gradually proven effective, ensuring the smooth operation of supply chains and distribution of goods and services, reducing lending interest rates, stabilising the foreign exchange market, promoting public investment disbursement, and implementing credit packages to support various sectors.
Vietnamese culture, cuisine introduced at Malaysian expo
The Malaysia-Vietnam Friendship Association is participating in the ongoing IFOOD EXPO 2024 – a large-scale food, beverage, and nutritional supplement fair – from June 28-30 in Malaysia, according to the Vietnam News Agency.
Joining as a partner, the Malaysia-Vietnam Friendship Association sets up 10 booths to introduce visitors to traditional Vietnamese dishes such as pho (beef noodle soup), banh mi (bread), and spring rolls. Additionally, various Vietnamese food products are being sold, including instant noodles, dried pho, instant coffee, and different types of sauces.
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| A booth showcasing various pho dishes from Sai Gon Station. (Photo: VNA) |
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency's resident reporter on the sidelines of the event, Vietnamese Trade Counsellor Le Phu Cuong emphasised the necessity to participate in fairs to promote Vietnamese cuisine.
Cuong said that in the future, the Trade Office and Embassy of Vietnam will continue to support organisations and activities that promote Vietnamese products to enhance related awareness and interest among Malaysian consumers.
Highlighting the promotion of the country's image through cultural interaction, including culinary delights, President of the Malaysia-Vietnam Friendship Association Tran Thi Chang noted that the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the association and IFOOD – a leading food event organiser in Malaysia – at the fair’s opening ceremony is set to provide more favourable conditions for it to participate in major food events in the country.
Chu Lai Port establishes itself as major international freight hub
Chu Lai Port has established itself as a prominent international freight forwarding hub in the central and Central Highlands regions and a crucial link for trade with global markets, said the Vietnam News Agency.
Operated by Truong Hai International Logistics Limited Liability Company (THILOGI), it has played a key role in enhancing trade relationships between businesses in the central and Central Highlands regions and neighbouring countries such as Laos and Cambodia for over a decade.
Located strategically in the central key economic region, the port benefits from excellent transport connectivity via major routes such as National Highway 1A and the Da Nang - Quang Ngai highway.
The central region is recognised as a significant manufacturing and processing hub, especially for sectors such as textiles, footwear, wood and furniture, metals, heavy industries, oil and gas, energy, and agriculture.
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| Chu Lai Port (Photo: THACO) |
The central region is home to a number of industrial zones including large ones.
Under Quang Nam province’s masterplan for until 2030, which focuses on key sectors like aviation, ports and logistics, the Chu Lai Port is well positioned to evolve into an international logistics hub.
Efforts are currently under way to establish new shipping routes in the region that will connect adjacent ports, integrating with customs-free zones, industrial zones, airports, and railway stations in line with the province’s strategic vision for the maritime sector.
THILOGI recently registered with the US Federal Maritime Commission with the goal of facilitating trade between Việt Nam and the US, and has plans to enhance logistics services to support businesses.
Phan Van Ky, general director of the Chu Lai Port, underlined the port’s focus on diversifying maritime routes to Northeast Asia, America and Canada, using lands it possesses to expand warehouses and other port facilities.
The port recently invested over 400 billion VND in equipment, vehicles, and infrastructure upgrades to enhance its operations.
With its competitive tariffs and the ongoing investments, the port is a cost-effective and efficient gateway for agricultural goods exporters in the central region.
Through efficient multimodal logistics operations, it has streamlined operations for enterprises, increasing their profitability and enhancing competitiveness.
Its cold storage system, built to international standards, spreads over an area of over 12,500 sq.m and has 1,000 cold containers to meet customers’ storage and export needs.
Set to inaugurate a 50,000-tonne deep-water port terminal next month with a modern loading and unloading system, it is poised for further growth.
As a company connecting agricultural exports in the central and Central Highlands regions, Laos and Cambodia, THILOGI has efficient freight forwarding solutions that have transformed the port into an international logistics hub.
It prioritises a comprehensive logistics service model, linking freight forwarding activities from road to sea, and providing a range of port services.
It owns a fleet of transport vehicles and specialised refrigerated containers to ensure the preservation of agricultural products at appropriate temperatures./.