Latest news with #ANNHANOI
The Star
a day ago
- Business
- The Star
Foreign visitors to Vietnam near 10.7 million in H1, half of full-year target
Asia remained the largest market, accounting for over 8.41 million visitors (over 78%), marking a 21.1% increase year-on-year. Arrivals from Europe rose 26.5% to 1.34 million, while visitors from the Americas grew 8.6% to 582,800. - Photo: Vietnam News/ANN HANOI (Vietnam News/ANN): Vietnam welcomed nearly 10.7 million international arrivals in the first half of 2025, marking an increase of nearly 21% compared to the same period last year, and up 26% compared to 2019 – the 'golden era' of Vietnamese tourism before the Covid-19 pandemic struck. According to newly released data from the National Statistics Office, in June alone, Vietnam received nearly 1.5 million foreign visitors, down 4% from the previous month. The H1 figure stood at 49% of the full-year target of 22-23 million tourists, but it should be noted that the peak international tourism season in Vietnam lasts from October to March. Air travel remained dominant, with over 9 million arrivals by air (accounting for over 85% of the total number, and up by 22.7% year-on-year, followed by nearly 1.4 million by land, and the remainder arriving by sea. Asia remained the largest market, accounting for over 8.41 million visitors (over 78%), marking a 21.1% increase year-on-year. Arrivals from Europe rose 26.5% to 1.34 million, while visitors from the Americas grew 8.6% to 582,800. Tourist numbers from Oceania reached 304,200, up 14.1%, whereas arrivals from Africa edged down 0.3% to 25,200. Tourists from Northeast Asia account for 60% of total international visitors to Vietnam in the first half. Chinese tourists continue to top the list with over 2.7 million arrivals, followed by those from the Republic of Korea with 2.2 million. Next in line are visitors from Japan, Taiwan (China), the United States, and India. In the opposite direction, more than 4 million Vietnamese travelled abroad in the past six months – a rise of nearly 54% compared to the same period last year. 'Transport and tourism activities have surged to meet consumer demand both regionally and globally, making a positive contribution to economic growth. The value added by the service sector in the first half of the year rose by over 8% year-on-year – the highest rate for the same period since 2011,' the statistics office noted. According to a report by leading consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Vietnam ranks among the world's top emerging tourism markets, alongside China, India, and Saudi Arabia. These markets are quickly overtaking traditional tourism powerhouses such as the US, the UK, and Germany. The May edition of the World Tourism Barometer published by the US Tourism Organisation (UN Tourism) revealed that in the first quarter of this year, Vietnam recorded the sixth-highest growth in international arrivals worldwide – up 30% from the same period in 2024. Within the Asia–Pacific region, Vietnam ranked first, followed by Japan and the Republic of Palau. Bloomberg reported that Vietnam has emerged as the third most-visited country in Southeast Asia, with 17.5 million international visitors last year – surpassing Singapore and trailing only Malaysia (25 million visitors) and Thailand (35 million visitors). Experts believe the growing number of direct flights from other countries to Vietnam is one of the key factors fuelling the country's tourism. - Vietnam News/ANN
The Star
30-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Vietnam approves plans for international financial centre amid US trade pressure
The centres will operate under unified management, with Ho Chi Minh City focusing on capital, banking, and currency markets, and Danang. - Photo: Vietnam News/ANN HANOI (Reuters): Vietnam's lawmakers approved a plan to establish international financial centres in Ho Chi Minh City and Danang to attract investment and strengthen its global financial standing as economic uncertainties rise. The centres will operate under unified management, with Ho Chi Minh City focusing on capital, banking, and currency markets, and Danang on sustainable and green finance, leveraging its strategic location near East-West economic corridors, the government said in a statement. Finance Minister Nguyen Van Thang called the policies "innovative and competitive," noting their alignment with international standards, the statement added. A key feature will allow members of the centres to secure international financing and use foreign currency for transactions. Vietnam's foreign investment inflows rose 7.9% to $8.9 billion in the first five months of the year, while pledges surged 51.1% to $18.4 billion, the government said. However, the United States has threatened to impose 46% tariffs on Vietnamese exports unless concessions are made, which could slow the momentum. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said earlier this week that Vietnam expects to reach a trade deal with the United States within two weeks. The financial centres will adopt international accounting and financial standards, including capital adequacy and liquidity ratios for both domestic and foreign-owned banks, the government added. Vietnam remains a key manufacturing hub for global firms such as Samsung Electronics, Foxconn, Intel, Nike, and Adidas. (Reporting by Phuong Nguyen; Editing by David Stanway)
The Star
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
PM orders urgent action to prepare for storm season
Officers and soldiers assist residents in Hue City to harvest rice submerged by floods following Storm Wutip on June 13. -VNA/VNS/ANN HANOI: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued a new directive calling for urgent and comprehensive measures to strengthen disaster preparedness, response and recovery ahead of the 2025 rainy and storm season. The directive, signed on Thursday (June 19), comes amid concerns over fragmented regulations, weak infrastructure and increasingly erratic weather patterns caused by climate change. Ministries, provinces and agencies are instructed to ensure continuous monitoring, timely response and clear communication across all levels. Local leaders must maintain full operational capacity during the merging of administrative units and ensure uninterrupted leadership during disasters. Authorities are tasked with updating emergency response plans, addressing risks exposed during Typhoon Yagi in 2024 and improving infrastructure resilience, particularly dykes, dams, power and telecom systems, and urban drainage. The PM emphasised the "four on-the-spot" approach, i.e., on-the-spot command, on-the-spot manpower, on-the-spot supplies and on-the-spot logistics, to reduce damage, especially human casualties. Heads of provincial and municipal governments are held accountable for all disaster response operations in their jurisdictions. The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will oversee weather monitoring and accelerate digital transformation in forecasting and early warning systems. It must also coordinate with other ministries to finalise flood management plans for key river basins and ensure safe reservoir operations. The Ministry of Industry and Trade will be responsible for hydropower safety and electricity supply, while the Ministry of Construction must tackle urban flooding, particularly in major cities. The Ministry of National Defence is finalising a decree to implement the Civil Defence Law and will lead efforts to mobilise resources during emergencies. The Ministries of Public Security; Education; and Finance are also directed to prepare safety measures for vulnerable communities, schools and ensure funding for disaster recovery. Meanwhile, national media outlets are tasked with raising public awareness and providing timely, accurate updates on disaster situations. The directive assigns Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha to oversee the implementation of these measures, while the Government Office will monitor progress and report emerging issues directly to the PM. - Vietnam News/ANN
The Star
26-05-2025
- The Star
Vietnam police detain man over damage to ancient throne
A man is seen sitting on a throne in footage circulating on social media and Vietnam news sites purportedly showing the Nguyen dynasty artefact incident in Vietnam. - SCREENGRAB FROM FACEBOOK VIDEO via ST/ANN HANOI: Vietnamese police have detained a man who broke into a history exhibit and damaged an antique throne considered to be one of the nation's most precious artefacts, conservation officials said on Sunday (May 25). The ornate red-and-gold Nguyen dynasty throne was the royal seat of the last feudal family to rule Vietnam between 1802 and 1945 and has been preserved for posterity in Hue city's Thai Hoa Palace. A 42-year-old man "snuck into the Nguyen dynasty display area, screamed and then broke the front left armrest" around midday on Saturday, a statement from the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre (HMCC) said. In footage circulating on social media and Vietnam news sites purporting to show the incident, the man can be seen sitting cross-legged on the two-century-old throne that is adorned with dragon motifs. He was quickly arrested but showed "signs of psychosis, screaming, talking nonsense and could not answer the investigator's questions", the HMCC said. Police detained him to conduct a psychiatric assessment, it said, while the throne will be removed for repair and preservation efforts. "This is an extremely rare incident," the HMCC statement said. Vietnam's ministry of culture, sports and tourism has asked for an urgent report on the incident. The central city of Hue was established as the capital of unified Vietnam under the Nguyen dynasty. It was recognised as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1993 and hosts several ancient palaces, tombs and artefacts. - AFP
