VIETNAM: NEW ERA

According to a Nielsen IQ Vietnam survey, Vietnamese consumers spend an average of 13 hours per week watching livestream sales. The country ranks 11th globally for online shopping activity.

As of November 30, 2024, the total newly registered capital, adjusted capital, and capital contributions or share purchases by foreign investors in Vietnam reached nearly 31.4 billion USD, up 1% increase compared to the same period last year.

In the first 11 months of this year, Vietnam’s total import-export turnover reached 715.55 billion USD, up 15.4% against the same period last year, of which exports rose by 14.4% and imports up 16.4%. In the reviewed period, Vietnam enjoyed a trade surplus of 24.31 billion USD.

Quang Trach – Pho Noi 500kV circuit-3 power transmission line is a key project with a total investment of nearly 880 million USD. Spanning 9 provinces, the 519-km power transmission line plays an important role in enhancing the operational stability for the electricity supply system in the north in 2024 and following years, contributing to ensuring the national energy security.

In the first 11 months of 2024, Vietnam welcomed more than 15.8 million international visitors, up 41% over the same period last year. Visitors by continent included: Asia (12.61 million), Europe (1.78 million), and America (0.91 million), among others.

Nearly 80% of foreign arrivals in Vietnam so far this year hailed from Asia, with a significant 60% coming from the Republic of Korea, China, Taiwan (China), and Japan.

An international conference on rural tourism is taking place in Hoi An ancient town in the central province of Quang Nam on December 9-11.

With its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural diversity, Vietnam was named the “World’s Leading Heritage Destination” for the fifth time at the 2024 World Travel Awards. The awards ceremony took place on the evening of November 24, in Portugal.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long has signed the Prime Minister’s directive on accelerating workforce training for semiconductor industry and core digital technology sectors.

The Ba Chua Xu (Holy Mother of the Realm) Festival at Sam mountain in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang was officially recognised by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage of humanity at the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Paraguay on December 4. With this recognition, the festival has become the 16th intangible cultural heritage element of Vietnam recognised by UNESCO.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has just revealed its list of 100 most inspiring and influential women for 2024 from around the world. This year’s list celebrates those who – through their resilience – are pushing for change, as the world changes around them. Vietnamese film director Xuan Phuong was honored in the category of culture and education.

Hoi An ancient town in the central coastal province of Quang Nam was recognised as a UNESCO world cultural heritage site on December 4, 1999. Over the past 25 years, the local government and residents of Hoi An not only have preserved this living museum of architecture and urban lifestyle, but also effectively leveraged these values for sustainable preservation and development of the heritage.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse are paying an official visit to Japan from December 3-7. The visit is expected to promote the two countries' legislative ties in a practical and sustainable manner, thus concretising the comprehensive strategic partnership across spheres.

Regional cuisine has long played a vital role in promoting, introducing, and retaining tourists. Each region of Vietnam boasts its own culinary specialties, and the Mekong Delta, with its agricultural heritage and river culture, has given rise to distinctive dishes that leave a lasting impression on visitors.

Party General Secretary To Lam has urged Party committees, Party organisations, agencies, units, and sectors at all levels to demonstrate the highest political determination in streamlining the political system's organisational apparatus.

The continued reform and restructuring of the political system's organisational apparatus are a critical and urgent task in the current situation as time does not wait, Party General Secretary To Lam stressed while addressing the Party Central Committee’s meeting on November 25.

Director General of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Vu Viet Trang held talks with Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China’s Xinhua News Agency Ren Weidong in Hanoi on November 29, during the latter’s visit to Vietnam under a high-level exchange programme between the two news agencies.

With the message "Proud of Vietnamese products," the National E-commerce Week and Vietnam Online Shopping Day (Online Friday 2024) are scheduled to take place from November 25 to December 1, 2024.

Phu Quoc, Vietnam's Pearl Island, has once again earned a spot in Travel + Leisure's list of top destinations to visit in 2025, solidifying its undeniable allure as an "emerging star" on the global travel map.

Two luxurious resorts in the central province of Quang Nam have secured major accolades at the 31st World Travel Awards 2024, held in Madeira, Portugal, on November 24.