NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (R) receives Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz on September 29, 2022. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese NA leader’s visit to boost comprehensive ties with Cuba

Economic diplomacy should maintain and create more economic cooperation frameworks, including investment and trade agreements, between Vietnam and the US.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung made the statement in a recent media interview on outcomes of the conference on the implementation of the Government’s action programme materialising a directive by the Party Central Committee's Secretariat on economic diplomacy, which took place in Hanoi last month.

This is the biggest-ever conference on economic diplomacy, he said, adding that it helps raise the confidence of Vietnamese representative offices abroad in economic diplomacy, which has received the strong support from the government, ministries and agencies at home.

Noting challenges to the global economy, Dung also pointed to favourable conditions for Vietnam to tap the US market. He took the examples of the US’s diverse demand for goods, and Vietnam’s attractiveness in terms of geographical location, policies adopted by the government, and capacity of localities and businesses.

Vietnam is working on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity, while the US plays host to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) this year, which would facilitate economic links between the two countries, the ambassador added.

Dung suggested Vietnam maintain the market to increase its exports to the US, work to protect legitimate rights of businesses in the face of anti-dumping and trade fraud investigations on Vietnamese goods, and step up trade promotion in the areas where Vietnam has demand and the US has strengths like renewable energy, semiconductor industry and high-tech agriculture.

The diplomat emphasized that US investors have expanded their operations in Vietnam, and many others have shown their interest in the Southeast Asian market, cited VOV.

Notably, more Vietnamese firms have invested in the US and they have received appreciation from the host country.

These are favourable conditions for Vietnam’s economic diplomacy in the US, the ambassador went on to say.

To better economic diplomacy, Dung underscored the need to raise public awareness of the work, tighten coordination between ministries and agencies, and increase resources, both workforce and finance, for units at home and representative offices abroad.

Vietnam Week in Russia promotes cooperation in multiple fields

The Vietnam Week in Russia, spotlighting Vietnam as a gateway to Asia, is underway in Moscow to beef up the nations’ friendship and cooperation.

Lasting from April 17 to 23, the event features eight roundtable discussions on economy, science and education, with participants talking about prospects for the bilateral engagements in the fields of banking, oil and gas exploration, health, and IT. On schedule are also lesson and practice sessions on Vietnam’s history, arts, and cuisine, among others.

At the opening ceremony, Russian Deputy Minister of Science and Higher Education Konstantin Mogilevsky said in his online speech that it is the first time such a week-long programme on cooperation with Vietnam has been organised.

Chargé d'affaires of the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia Le Dac Quan (2nd from left) and Chairman of the Overseas Vietnamese Association in Russia Do Xuan Hoang (1st from left) at the opening ceremony.(Photo: VNA)

Mogilevsky informed participants that an alliance of Russian and Vietnamese technical universities is expected to be set up based on the coordination among the Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Moscow Aviation Institute, and Moscow Power Engineering Institute.

The alliance is expected to become a key factor in the nations’ educational cooperation, providing the Vietnamese industry with highly qualified human resources, he said.

The Russian official noted that the sides involved are considering the organisation of the 2nd Vietnam-Russia university rectors’ forum in Moscow this autumn and a Russian week in Vietnam, according to VNA.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh said the event is a good chance for information exchange and cooperation between Vietnamese and Russian scientists and businessmen.

He believed it will bring Vietnam closer to Russian friends and open up more opportunities for joint research projects in the time to come.

Hanoi detects Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.9.1

The capital has detected cases of the Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.9.1, which is rapidly transmissible with mild clinical course, the Hanoi Department of Health has announced.

Accordingly, among the samples collected in a gene sequencing in Nam Tu Liem district, two cases had been infected with the sub-variant XBB.1.9.1, which is mainly circulating in the UK, Germany, the United States, France, Singapore, and the Philippines.

A student is vaccinated against COVID-19 in Hanoi.

XBB.1.9.1 is also classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a variant under monitoring, VOV reported.

As of April 16, there have been a total of 566 COVID-19 cases being treated in the capital, including two severe cases requiring mechanical ventilation.

As a means of coping with the rapid transmission of COVID-19, the department underlined the need to take booster doses of the vaccines, especially for those aged five above, as well as older people in the high-risk group.

Vietnam sends biggest sport delegation to SEA Games 32

Vietnam is sending a 1,003-strong sport delegation to the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 32), about 700 of them athletes, together with coaches, doctors and experts.

Under a decision of Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism issued on April 17, the delegation - the biggest ever to an overseas tournament - will be headed by Dang Ha Viet, General Director of the Vietnam Sports Administration.

The national track-and-field team is sending the most athletes with 55 members.

Vietnam is sending a 1,003-strong sport delegation to SEA Games 32. (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnamese U22 men's football and women's football squads have not yet finalised the official list to partake in SEA Games 32.

Competing in 31 sport events, the Vietnamese team aims to bring home from 90-120 gold medals and enter the top three on the final medal tally, according to VNA.

SEA Games 32 will be held in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, Preah Sihanouk, Kampot, and Kep in Cambodia from May 5 to 17.

A send-off ceremony for Vietnamese athletes will be held on April 19 at the National Sports Training Center.

As host of SEA Games 31, Vietnam topped the medal table with 205 golds. Thailand came second with 92 golds and Indonesia third with 69.

Insufficient supply pushes up airfaires during holiday season

New research has revealed that the price of flights and holidays has increased sharply as thousands look ahead to national holiday plans.

To meet travel demand during the upcoming national holiday season, Vietnamese airlines have increased flights to popular destinations.

However, the high prices are hindering many people's travel plans.

Workers will enjoy five days off, from April 29 to May 3, to celebrate the commemoration of the Hung Kings (the nation's founders) that falls on April 29, the National Reunification Day on April 30, and International Labour Day on May 1.

New research has revealed that the price of flights and holidays has increased sharply as thousands look ahead to national holiday plans.

Air tickets have almost been sold out, and only business class seats are left for the long holiday break.

According to information from air ticket agents, round-trip airfares for some routes from Hanoi and HCM City to tourist destinations such as Phu Quoc, Da Lat, Hue, Da Nang, Con Dao, Nha Trang are currently at a very high price, ranging from VND4 to VND million including taxes and fees.

For the Hanoi-Phu Quoc route of Vietnam Airlines, the price for morning and afternoon flights is more than VND8 million. Night flights are lower, about VND7 million, but there are only a few seats left.

Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways all have prices of nearly VND 8 million to VND8.5 million for a round-trip ticket.

For the HCM City-Phu Quoc route, the lowest price for the round-trip journey (including taxes) of Vietjet is VND3.5 million; Bamboo Airways and Vietnam Airlines range from VND3.6-4 million.

Similarly, the flight from HCM City to Da Nang is over VNĐ5 million for a round-trip, double the daily ticket price.

Due to high domestic airfares, some people have decided to switch to international tours.

Like many other workers who want to take advantage of the upcoming holiday to travel, Tran To Mai from Hanoi's Thanh Xuan District is considering between Phu Quoc and Thailand.

“Spending VND6 or VND7 million to buy an air ticket to Phu Quoc Island is unreasonable. I decided to choose Bangkok, a better choice,” Mai said.

"I only have to spend more than VND7 million for a five-day tour to Thailand, while this amount is only enough for the round-trip ticket to Phu Quoc."

“Two years ago, my family also planned to travel to Nha Trang during Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, but the ticket price doubled, so we had to cancel the plan."

Talking about ticket prices, Bui Doan Ne, vice chairman of the Aviation Business Association, said domestic airfares are high due to the sharp increase in fuel prices, USD exchange rate and interest rates, making the costs of airlines also increase.

According to a representative of the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), as of March 31, the number of bookings reached an average of over 80 per cent of the total number of flights on April 30, and some flights were already full.

He also said that to meet the increased demand, airlines must ask for more flights.

All airlines have resumed international routes after the COVID-19 pandemic, so they have to balance their manpower and aircraft. They cannot massively increase domestic flights like in 2022, leading to the limitation of domestic flights.

That is the cause of the ticket price being pushed up, Ne said.

On weekdays, travel demand is also higher than a year ago after all restrictions were lifted.

In response to why domestic airfares tend to increase, a representative of Vietnam Airlines explained that fares are made flexibly by airlines, including many levels from low to high, with different conditions to meet customer needs.

Low-priced tickets will come with limitations, such as being non-refundable or non-adjustable.

Vietnamese airlines have added more flights to popular destinations to meet travel demand during the upcoming national holiday season. Photo: VNS

Customers who buy tickets early will have the opportunity to buy tickets at low prices, and higher prices if they are close to the departure date.

The tickets at low prices have been almost sold out, and only tickets at high prices are left, but this price is still within the ticket price framework of the Ministry of Transport.

"This is the law of market supply and demand," a representative of Vietnam Airlines said. "If airline businesses only sell low-priced tickets and promotions, they can't make up for the cost."

“During the very peak period, the ticket prices on domestic routes of airlines are quite similar. The average price in the peak days of 2023 of Vietnam Airlines is still the same as in 2019."

Similarly, Bamboo Airlines said commercial aviation is a seasonal industry, VNS reported.

During peak periods such as April 30 to May 1, travel demand spikes, while the supply of airlines is limited, leading to high ticket prices.

The booking volume for some flight routes of the Bamboo Airline has reached over 90 per cent, or 100 per cent, with the routes from Hanoi to Nha Trang, Da Nang, Quy Nhon, Hue, Phu Quoc, Con Dao and Quang Binh, and HCM City to Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Hue, Quy Nhon and Con Dao.

A representative of Vietravel Airlines said that summer tourism is getting "hot" day by day with the upcoming national holidays, leading to higher airfares.

On weekends, fares are always 40-50 per cent higher than on weekdays.

To meet the travel demand, airlines have planned to increase domestic flights.

Vietnam Airlines will supply nearly 2,800 domestic flights with 551,000 seats from April 27 to May 4, an increase of 40 per cent compared to 2019 and an increase of 15 per cent compared to 2022.

Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways are also expected to increase the load by 15 per cent for the domestic market compared to the same period last year.

To better serve travellers' needs, the Ministry of Transport has requested the CAAV to direct airlines to arrange night flights to meet travellers’ needs in line with the aviation infrastructure whilst also ensuring security and safety. They were required to manage flight schedules to minimise flight delays and cancellations; publish and publicise selling prices following regulations on distribution channels.

The CAAV has called for greater communication with passengers about purchasing air tickets from authorised agents and official distribution channels and providing feedback on high domestic airfares to airline hotlines.

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