Vietnam maintained a positive trade balance of US$3 billion in October, raising the country’s total trade surplus during January – October 2023 to more than US$24.6 billion, the highest in five years, according to Radio the Voice of Vietnam.

According to VOV, several companies have announced plans to increase direct flights connecting the major Kazakh cities of Almaty and Astana with Khanh Hoa province in southcentral Vietnam as part of efforts to meet the travel demand needs of tourists for the winter vacation season.

The Vietnamese Government has initiated plans to begin construction of a North-South high-speed rail route by 2030 and put it into operation by 2045, according to VOV News.

Pwn2Own Toronto 2023, the world’s leading contest in cyber-attacks, gives the first prize to a team of Viettel Cyber Security, a member of Viettel Group, said Radio the Voice of Vietnam.

According to VOV, travel website Booking.com has named Mui Ne in the southcentral province of Binh Thuan among the top six budget-friendly fall escapes for World Savings Day that falls on October 31, a day dedicated to highlighting the benefits of saving for the future.

The northern mountainous province of Ha Giang on October 29 held a ceremony to receive UNESCO’s recognition of the Dong Van Karst Plateau as a global geopark for the third time, according to Vietnam News Agency.

Hanoi Mega Sale 2023 was kicked off by the Hanoi Promotion Agency, in collaboration with relevant departments and agencies in the capital city on October 27 evening, said the Vietnam News Agency.

After officially entering the United States and New Zealand markets, the nation’s grapefruit exports during the opening eight months of the year increased sharply by 144% against the same period from last year, VOV quoted figures given by the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association.

The Tra Vinh FARM Co. Ltd. (Sokfarm) in the Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh on October 25 officially exported its first batch of fresh coconut nectar drink to the US, said the Vietnam News Agency.

Digital travel platform Agoda released its first Vietnam’s New Horizons list on October 24, featuring some upcoming and lesser-known destinations, reported VOV.

Vietnam has become the third largest supplier of mango to the Republic of Korea (RoK), with its market share rising in the RoK’s total imports, VOV quoted figures of the Import-Export Department of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

A pilot tour to explore Van Mieu – Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature) in Hanoi at night aims to promote the unique value of the special national relic site - Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, towards attracting more visitors to the monument at night, and diversifying tourism products in Hanoi, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Products of about 70 Vietnamese handicraft and gift companies are being exhibited at the MEGA Show Hong Kong (China) 2023 from October 21-23, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

World-renowned DJ Don Diablo of the Netherlands will arrive in Ho Chi Minh City to perform at the “Ho Do” International Music Festival 2023, which is scheduled to take place on December 24, reported VOV.

According to VNA, Tan Hoa in the central province of Quang Binh has been named among the Best Tourism Villages 2023 by the World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO).

A joint venture between Vietnamese infrastructure developer Deo Ca Group JSC and Petroleum Trading Lao Public Company (PetroTrade) has been allowed to develop a railway project linking the two countries, according to Vietnam News Agency.

Phu Quoc (Kien Giang Province) will welcome more international flights in the coming months, bringing positive signs for the tourism industry in Pearl Island, said Radio the Voice of Vietnam.

The central city of Da Nang is fast becoming a popular destination among young people thanks to the recent array of posts and reels going viral on social media, resulting in a steady increase in tourist numbers over recent years for multiple attractions, reported VOV.

Fruit and vegetable exports have hit a new record and forecast to bring home over 5.5 billion USD in 2023, according to Vietnam News Agency.

According to VNA, Vietnam’s new e-visa policy, which took effect from August 15, has facilitated group and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and events) tours, insiders have said.

Two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia rose 3% in the first nine months of this year to reach 4.77 billion USD, VOV quoted statistics from the Cambodian Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Newmarket Holidays, one of the UK's leading and independently-owned tour operators, has launched a new tour to Vietnam and Cambodia specifically aimed at solo travelers, reported VOV.

The American travel magazine Condé Nast Traveler (CN Traveler) has listed Phu Quoc island off the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang as one of the world’s top islands in 2023, said the Vietnam News Agency.

Hum, a restaurant located in Ho Chi Minh City, has been named among the 25 best ‘vegetarian-friendly’ restaurants in the world, as voted for by Tripadvisor readers, according to VOV News.

A project worth over 3.9 trillion VND (159.8 million USD) on building the two sections of Ho Chi Minh Road in the Mekong Delta provinces of Kien Giang and Bac Lieu has been approved by the Ministry of Transport, said the Vietnam News Agency.

Vietnamese cuisine represents a tantalising blend of flavours, colours, and textures that have captured the hearts and taste buds of food enthusiasts worldwide, VOV reported a recent article published by India's leading travel magazine Outlook Traveler.

The 7th International Students Science Forum was held in Ho Chi Minh City from October 6-8 to highlight the role of the youth in digital transformation, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

Six Japanese projects worth over 2.65 billion USD has been carried out in Khanh Hoa province, accounting for nearly 70% of the total foreign direct investment in the locality, Vietnam News Agency quoted the information at the Khanh Hoa – Japan investment promotion conference held in Nha Trang city on October 7.

Vietnam emerged as the second largest supplier of rubber to China during the opening eight months of the year with 976,100 tonnes worth US$1.3 million, VOV News quoted statistics from China's customs authorities.

Achievements of the Vietnamese health sector were praised by Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in his congratulatory video sent to the sector on October 5, according to the Vietnam News Agency.