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| Typhoon Yagi wreaks havoc to local property in Ha Long city of Quang Ninh province |
At 4 a.m. on September 8, the tropical depression was sweeping across Son La province in the north-western region, with winds gusting 39-49 kmh.
In the coming hours, the tropical depression will continue moving west-northwest, passing through Son La and Dien Bien before entering Laos. It will continue to weaken into a low pressure area and gradually dissipate.
After making landfall in Hai Phong and Quang Ninh, Yagi also caused significant damage as it swept across Hai Duong province and Hanoi capital.
There were numerous casualties and substantial property damage. Hundreds of trees were uprooted and brought down across streets. Glass windows of many apartments were shattered by strong winds.
According to preliminary statistics, Yagi, considered the strongest storm in the past 30 years, has left 14 dead across northern localities, including four in Hoa Binh, four in Quang Ninh province, two in Hai Phong, one each in Hai Duong province, Yen Bai province, Lang Son province and Hanoi capital.
As for property damage, the areas directly hit by Yagi have been left in ruins, and the extent of the damage has yet to be fully assessed.
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| Strong winds bring down a big tree in Gia Lam district of Hanoi capital |
Though Yagi is weakening into a tropical depression, it will continue to bring heavy rain to north-western localities.
Mai Van Khiem, director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting emphasized the danger posed by the wide circulation of Yagi, which has encompassed both the northern and north-central regions of Vietnam.
There is a very high risk of flash floods and landslides in the northern mountainous provinces, particularly in Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Yen Bai, Lai Chau, Son La, Hoa Binh, and Thanh Hoa, he warned.
Currently, relevant forces have fanned out to assist residents with a post-storm cleanup campaign.
Malaysia introduces impressive tourism products at HCM City expo
According to VNA, as part of ongoing efforts to promote Malaysia as a preferred tourist destination, Tourism Malaysia took part in the International Travel Expo (ITE) Ho Chi Minh City held from September 5 to 7.
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| Illustrative image (Photo: Tourism Malaysia) |
ITE HCMC 2024 served as an excellent platform for Malaysia to showcase its unique tourism offerings and engage with both potential and returning travellers.
Visitors are invited to discover Malaysia's diverse attractions, from rich cultural heritage to a wide array of vacation packages available at competitive prices.
In addition, Tourism Malaysia is strengthening its partnerships with major tour operators and associations in HCM City to craft enticing tourism packages tailored to the preferences and interests of the Vietnamese market.
This year, Malaysia’s booth features participation from the Malaysia Homestay Entrepreneurs Association, Kampungstay Holiday Sdn Bhd, Myhistourism Adventure Sdn Bhd and Melaka State Government.
Throughout the three-day event, Malaysia highlighted its stunning tourism products, captivating destinations, and its global reputation as a safe, family-friendly destination.
Visitors were also be treated to special cultural performances by talented Malaysian artists, with air travel sponsored by Vietjet Air which operates daily direct flights from Vietnam to Malaysia, further solidifying the bonds between the two nations.
Nor Hayati Zainuddin, director of Tourism Malaysia in Vietnam, said Vietnam remains a key source market for Malaysia.
It is crucial to maintain robust promotional initiatives to attract more Vietnamese tourists, especially with the new direct flights from Vietnam to Malaysia.
“We are eager to strengthen our collaboration with local travel agents. With increased direct flights, we aim to establish Malaysia as the preferred travel destination in this region.”
Tourism Malaysia will also host a series of food and cultural promotion activities to showcase the richness of Malaysian cuisine and culture.
These events will be held at prestigious venues such as Daewoo Hanoi Hotel from September 12 and 16, Sheraton Saigon Grand Opera Hotel from September 6 to 10, and Lesung Saigon Restaurant from September 11 to 16 in Ho Chi Minh City.
These promotions aim to offer visitors an authentic taste of Malaysia, further enhancing its visibility as a vibrant tourist destination.
Malaysia aims to attract 27.3 million international tourists in 2024.
Currently, 142 direct flights are operating between the two countries.
Lang Son Geopark gets UNESCO Global Geopark recognition
Lang Son Geopark of Vietnam has been officially recognized as a UNESCO Global Geopark by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, reported VOV.
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| Bac Son Valley in the Lang Son Geopark area. (Photo: UNESCO Global Geoparks) |
The decision was made following a vote on September 8 by the UNESCO Global Geoparks Council, according to the Lang Son provincial administration.
A delegation of experts from UNESCO made a field trip to Lang Son in July 2024 for on-site assessment of the dossier seeking the organisation's recognition of Lang Son Geopark as a global one. They visited 26 out of the 38 attractions across four tourism routes of the Geopark.
To provide the most accurate evaluation, the Global Geoparks Council carefully assessed Lang Son Geopark’s geological features, conservation efforts, and local engagement before granting it UNESCO Global Geopark status.
Local authorities said the recognition of the site helps Lang Son focus its resources on managing, preserving, and promoting the value of its geological heritage, cultural heritage, historical and archaeological sites, biodiversity, as well as its unique scenic landscapes.
It is anticipated that Lang Son Geopark will receive its UNESCO Global Geopark designation in Chile next year.
Covering 4,842 sq.km across eight district-level localities, Lang Son Geopark is one of the largest of its kind in Vietnam and boasts a number of unique values.
In terms of geology, geomorphology and landscape, it is home to a rich diversity of palaeobiological fossils dating back as far as 500 million years, many of which indicate this province used to be under the sea in the past. Moreover, this park is endowed with many renowned landscapes such as the low mountain ranges surrounding valleys and villages in Yen Thinh Commune of Huu Lung District, or the caves like Tham Khuyen in Binh Gia District that accommodated prehistoric humans.
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| Covering 4,842 sq.km, the geopark, establishes in 2021, is one of the largest of its kind in Vietnam and boasts a number of unique values. (Photo: VNA) |
Regarding cultural values, it houses a number of temples dedicated to the gods in the worship of Mother Goddesses – an intangible cultural heritage of humanity, especially Bac Le Temple, as well as villages of Tay and Nung ethnic groups with distinctive cultures.
The locality has initially developed four routes comprising 38 tourist attractions within the geopark. Local authorities are taking various measures for improving public awareness of the park’s values as well as protecting and making use of its values for tourism development.