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| Tourists from the Republic of Korea prefer travelling to islands off the beach city of Nha Trang. (Photo: VNA) |
Among the three most preferred tourist destinations in RoK, two are in Vietnam, it said.
The result was released based on a big data analysis programme to evaluate the search volume of Google Trend Index and Naver in the first week of July and compare it with that of the last week of June.
In the first week of July, Phu Quoc island in the Vietnamese southern province of Kien Giang was in the first place with 12,855 points, up 2,962 points compared to the last week of June. The beach city of Nha Trang in the Vietnamese central province of Khanh Hoa ranked second with 10,157 points and followed by Tokyo (Japan) with 3,796 points.
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| Hon Thom fishing village in Phu Quoc (Photo: VNA) |
Other cities in the top 15 are Bangkok and Phuket (Thailand), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Nagoya (Japan), Barcelona (Spain), Kyoto (Japan), Hanoi (Vietnam), Paris (France), New York (US), Sydney (Australia), Shanghai (China) and Munich (Germany).
The survey also showed the results of analysing preferences by gender and age for each of these cities. Specifically, Phu Quoc Island is more popular with RoK women, representing a rate of 67% of the survey data.
VinFast starts construction of new EV plant in Indonesia
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| At the Ground-breaking ceremony of VinFast's new EV assembly plant in Subang. (Photo: VNA) |
Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) maker VinFast Auto on July 15 began work on its new EV assembly plant in Subang city, West Java province of Indonesia, reported Vietnam News Agency.
The move into one of Southeast Asia's most promising EV markets is set to create numerous job opportunities for the local workforce and also underscores the company's commitment to expanding its presence in the region and supporting Indonesia's burgeoning EV industry.
With an initial investment of around 200 million USD, the plant will have an annual capacity of 50,000 vehicles.
Scheduled to commence operations in the fourth quarter of 2025, it will produce right-hand drive versions of VinFast's e-SUV models, including VF 3, VF 5, VF 6 and VF 7 for the Indonesian market.
General H. Moeldoko, Chief of Staff of the Executive Office of the Indonesian President, said that VinFast's presence will not only have a positive impact on the local economy, but will also provide new job opportunities and improve the life quality for the surrounding community.
He expressed his belief that VinFast will bring about technological innovation and knowledge transfer that is much needed to increase the competitiveness of the country's automotive industry.
Temmy Wiradjaja, CEO of VinFast Indonesia, remarked that the groundbreaking event, coming just a few months after VinFast's official debut in Indonesia, highlights the company's expansion and competitiveness improvement strategy in the Indonesian market, marking a key milestone in its strategy to become a leading player in one of the region's most promising EV markets.
He said he believes this project will demonstrate his company's long-term commitment to Indonesia, helping boost the EV industry, economic growth, and the quality of life for Indonesians.
European firms hope for Vietnam’s continuous policy adjustments: EuroCham survey
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| Production at SCAVI Hue, a French-invested garment company in Phong Dien Industrial Park, Phong Dien district, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue. (Photo: VNA) |
The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) on July 15 released its Business Confidence Index (BCI) report for the second quarter of 2024, which reveals a marginal decline from 52.8 in Q1 to 51.3 in Q2, underscoring the necessity for ongoing policy adjustments to maintain momentum, reported Vietnam News Agency.
Chairman of EuroCham Vietnam Dominik Meichle held that Vietnam's economic potential is undeniable, and the European business community remains confident in its long-term growth.
While the survey points to areas for improvement, EuroCham believes that working together to address administrative and regulatory hurdles can create a more efficient and attractive business environment that benefits both the European and Vietnamese business communities, he said.
Surveyed businesses pointed to five areas that Vietnam should focus on to boost FDI in Vietnam, including streamlining administrative and procedural processes and enhancing clarity and precision in laws to reduce arbitrary interpretation. They also pointed to the need for Vietnam to develop core infrastructure and simplify visa and work permit procedures for foreign experts.
Thue Quist Thomasen, CEO of Decision Lab said that while 68% of respondents reported neutral to positive current conditions, there is a slight increase in short-term caution, which needs to be addressed to continue the positive trend from the previous quarters. However, the strong 6.42% GDP growth in the first half of 2024 and nearly 70% expressing long-term optimism indicate robust underlying confidence that may materialise in future readings, he added.
Meanwhile, the survey showed that carbon neutrality progress is key to attracting quality European FDI, while revealing a growing commitment to sustainability among European businesses in Vietnam, with 7% having already achieved carbon neutrality.
On a positive note, the recent signing of the Direct Power Purchase Agreement (DPPA) decree offers a ray of hope. Swift and successful implementation could address some of these challenges, particularly by improving access to clean energy sources and potentially providing better sustainability incentives, it said.
The quarterly BCI, which is conducted by Decision Lab, serves as a vital tool for understanding the perceptions of European and Europe-related companies and investors in the Vietnamese market. Conducted since 2011, the BCI collects feedback from EuroCham Vietnam's extensive network of 1,400 members across a diverse range of sectors. This survey provides valuable insights into the current business landscape in Vietnam and offers a glimpse into future expectations.
Vietnam Airlines to run Hanoi-Phnom Penh route in October
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| At the ceremony announcing Vietnam Airlines' new direct route between Hanoi and Phnom Penh. (Photo: Vietnam Airlines) |
Vietnam Airlines has announced its plan to operate direct flights between Hanoi and Phnom Penh starting October 27, reported Vietnam News Agency.
Accordingly, the national flag carrier will run four round-trip flightsusing Airbus A321 aircraft per week on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
Currently, passengers travelling with the airline from Hanoi to the Cambodian capital need to transit in Vientiane. The new route will raise its total to five, and weekly flights connecting the two countries to 86.
In addition, the carrier has signed memoranda of understanding on cooperation with the Cambodia Angkor Air, the Cambodian Tourism Association and the Vietnamese travel company Saigontourist Group. It is set to coordinate with its partners in tourism promotion activities in both Vietnam and Cambodia and engage in mutual support regarding their services and products.
On average, about 450,000 people travel by air between the two countries each year, and the yearly growth rate is 24% in the past more than three decades,
In 2023, 1 million Vietnamese visited Cambodia, and more 400,000 Cambodians came to Vietnam./.