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| Golden Bridge in Da Nang city (Photo: VNA) |
It is one of the cheapest countries to visit, and among the most underrated, the magazine said.
Eating local dishes will only cost you a few dollars per meal, and a cup of iced coffee is less than a dollar.
Ca phe da, iced coffee, has become an indispensable part of Vietnamese daily life in recent years – with millions starting their day with a cup in the morning.
A cup of the drink costs 10,000-15,000 VND (0.42-0.64 USD).
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| Foreign tourists welcomed in Phu Quoc island (Photo: VNA) |
The Travel also recommended tourists to explore Vietnam by bus or train with cheap fares.
It added that if visitors don't mind slow and long-distance travel, then buses and trains around Vietnam are among the most affordable in the world, making it easy to explore all of this beautiful country.
Thai oil refining firm TOP to invest in Vietnamese market
Thai Oil Plc (TOP), Thailand's largest oil refining company, is considering making investments in Vietnam, India, and Indonesia, reported the Voice of Vietnam according to the Bangkok Post.
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| A petrochemical complex of Thai Oil Plc (Source: ogj.com) |
Its activities in the three countries involve oil refinery, lube oil, and high-value petrochemical products. The firm anticipates bright prospects ahead from business expansion into these markets.
In Vietnam, TOP has already developed facilities such as warehouses in the northern and southern regions. The company has also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in India with a local company as it seeks to jointly operate new business opportunities.
Wirat Uanarumit, president and chief executive of TOP, stated that the high rates of economic growth and large numbers of young people among the populations of the three respective countries mean that these nations offer the best potential for investment throughout the Asian region.
TOP is currently expanding its operations overseas as it strives to meet growing demand for energy and petrochemical products.
The company is in the process of preparing to settle a share purchase in Indonesia’s PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical Tbk (CAP), early next year.
The payment is valued at USD270 million and follows the first tranche payment of USD913 million which was made at the end of last year.
Vietnam progresses in global human development index
The UN Development Programme (UNDP) acknowledged Vietnam’s human development efforts as part of its human development report for 2021 – 2022 released on September 8 in New York, the United States, reported the Voice of Vietnam.
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| Vietnam has made every effort to improve its human development index ranking which has been recognised internationally. |
Despite enduring difficulties faced over the past two years, the country has moved up two places in the Human Development Index (HDI) ranking, rising from 117th place to 115th place. It is among the countries with a high human development index, including China, South Africa, Indonesia, Cuba, Egypt, and Brazil.
Addressing the ceremony, Achim Steiner, administrator of the UNDP, noted that the world is currently living in uncertain times and facing a range of challenges, from conflicts to climate change, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic and food insecurity, all of which have an impact on human development globally.
For the first time in 30 years, the worldwide human development index has fallen in two consecutive years, according to Steiner, who also pointed out a lack of trust and social inequality which have been factors in making it difficult for countries to work together to find solutions to current common challenges.
The UNDP development report, in addition to the impact analysis, also offers three main groups of recommendations aimed at addressing current issues, including increasing investments in nature and human, strengthening insurance and social protection to enhance resilience to challenges, creatively applying science and technology advances for the cause of human development.
Steiner went on to emphasise the need of putting faith in the young generation who will ultimately pioneer and bring new ideas to solve global problems.
Meeting with Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN at the ceremony, the UNDP administrator highly appreciated the country’s human development efforts over recent years and its contributions to handling global challenges.
First published in 1990, the UNDP Human Development Report has been made by experts from UN agencies, countries, along with international organisations and non-governmental organisations. The primary purpose of the report is to analyse trends and global contexts that impact human development in various aspects to build and update the Human Development Index for each country in the world.
Exhibition displays treasures of Thang Long Imperial Palace
Artefacts unearthed during a two-decade excavation of Thang Long Imperial Citadel are on display at an exhibition named “Treasures of Thang Long Imperial Palace”, reported Vietnam News Agency.
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| The exhibition“Treasures of Thang Long Imperial Palace” introduces a number of precious metal artefacts, from jewelry, golden parts of utensils to royal swords and others. (Photo: VNA) |
The exhibition was opened by the Thang Long–Hanoi Heritage Preservation Centre on September 8 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (Convention 1972).
It comprises three zones, including one for artefacts from Ly and Tran Dynasties and another for those from Early Le, Mac and Revival Le Dynasties.
Among the exhibits are various pieces of ceramics used as decoration inside the royal palace and those serving royal families both daily and on special occasions, such as festivals and Kings’ birthday and coronation ceremonies. There is a terra-cotta pot from Tran Dynasty, the largest of its kind ever found.
The event also introduces a number of precious metal artefacts, from jewelry, golden parts of utensils to royal swords and others.
The 3D mapping technology is deployed for the first time to provide visitors a clearer look at the uniquely beautiful patterns on the royal ceramics.
Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010, Thang Long Imperial Citadel covers a total area of 18,353ha. The archaeological excavations since 2002 here have unearthed millions of relics of various types from ceramics, chinaware, to metal objects./.