Vietnam, Armenia foster traditional ties in Yerevan talks

Vietnam always values its long-standing traditional friendship with Armenia over the past decades, visiting National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man told President of the National Assembly of Armenia Alen Simonyan during their talks held right after a welcome ceremony in Yerevan capital city on April 3 (local time).

Recalling the significance of President Ho Chi Minh’s visit to Armenia in July 1959, Man noted that his visit, combined with the Armenian NA President’s trip to Vietnam in November 2024, would serve as a driving force to further tighten friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Highlighting Armenia’s growing role on the global stage, Man shared Vietnam’s key socio-economic achievements in 2024 and outlined major priorities for 2025. He expressed a strong desire to deepen collaboration across all sectors and channels, including Party, State, Government, National Assembly, and people-to-people exchange.

Man announced with satisfaction the establishment of the Vietnam-Armenia Friendship Parliamentary Group under the Vietnamese NA. He expressed confidence that the activities of this group, alongside its Armenia-Vietnam counterpart, would enhance exchanges and cooperation, serving as a vital bridge to boost ties between the two nations and their legislative bodies.

In response, Simonyan underscored Armenia’s high regard for Vietnam, not only as a friend but also as a key economic and trade partner in the region. With Armenia set to host the UN Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17) in 2026, he expressed his hope that Vietnam would send a high-ranking delegation to the event.

Both leaders hailed the signing of a cooperation agreement between their legislatures during the visit, which provides a legal framework to bolster bilateral ties in the years ahead. They agreed to increase high-level parliamentary delegation exchanges and promote collaboration between parliamentary agencies, friendship parliamentary groups, young and female parliamentarians, and lawmakers.

Specifically, they will increase the sharing of information and experience between specialized committees and lawmakers, especially in legislation and supervision. They will also enhance monitoring to ensure the effective implementation of bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements signed or joined by their Governments, especially those fostering economic and trade ties, according to VNA.

The legislative leaders acknowledged the growth in bilateral economic and trade relations in recent years, particularly since the Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) took effect in 2016. In 2024, two-way trade approached 500 million USD.

At the talks (Photo: VNA)

Man urged Armenia to facilitate Vietnamese businesses’ access to Armenian and EAEU markets, leveraging the Vietnam-EAEU FTA, of which Armenia is a member. He stressed the importance of updating policy and market information, simplifying enterprise involvement in trade and investment promotion activities, thematic fairs, and international exhibitions in both countries. He also proposed addressing challenges faced by businesses investing in each other’s markets by exchanging lists of goods in demand early, aiming to diversify bilateral trade.

Recognizing the vast cooperation potential across culture, tourism, education-training, transportation, locality-to-locality and people-to-people exchanges, they vowed to harness localities' strengths to enhance overall bilateral coordination.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese leader urged Armenia to facilitate cultural exchange and promotion activities that showcase the cultural and historical values of both nations, contributing to raising mutual understanding among younger generations and strengthening the friendship between their people. He also proposed that Armenia consider establishing an Armenia-Vietnam Friendship Association.

Regarding international and regional cooperation, the two leaders pledged to maintain regular exchanges, consultations, and mutual support at multilateral parliamentary forums and on global and regional issues of common interest. They reaffirmed their commitment to making proactive and responsible contributions to peace and stability in the region and the world.

As an active member of ASEAN and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Vietnam stands ready to act as a bridge to help Armenia expand ties with ASEAN, AIPA, and other member parliaments, Man noted. He suggested effective collaboration at regional forums, support for ASEAN's and Vietnam’s stance on the East Sea issue, and the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, the UN Charter, and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Following the talks, Man and Simonyan signed a cooperation agreement between the two legislatures.

Son Doong Cave named one of Earth’s most surreal places by Wanderlust

In a recent feature by Wanderlust, renowned travel writer Dianne Apen-Sadler has included Son Doong Cave in Quang Binh, Vietnam, on a list of the most “surreal places on Earth” - destinations so otherworldly, visitors might feel as if they’ve stepped onto a different planet.

According to Dianne, for those dreaming of a journey beyond Earth, these earthly wonders offer the closest experience to exploring another world.

Vietnam's Son Doong - officially recognized as the largest cave in the world - is one such place. Stretching nearly 9 kilometers in length, the cave is so vast it could house an entire New York City block, with room to spare.

It features some of the tallest stalagmites ever recorded, soaring up to 80 meters, alongside an underground river that winds its way through the cave’s depths.

Photo: Ryan Deboodt

“Visitors can join multi-day expeditions to explore the cave, but due to strict visitor limits, tours typically must be booked a year in advance,” the Wanderlust writer noted.

Experts estimate that Son Doong was formed around 2.3 million years ago, when a massive river eroded a series of fault lines in the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

Thanks to its unique microclimate - enriched by abundant rainfall and natural light filtering in through ceiling collapses - the cave supports a rich ecosystem of rare flora and fauna.

Son Doong Cave was officially recognized by the Guinness World Records in 2009 as the largest cave in the world. At the time, experts noted the cave might be even larger than currently measured, as many sections remain unexplored.

In addition to Son Doong, Wanderlust’s list features other otherworldly destinations such as Vatnajökull National Park in Iceland, Lençóis Maranhenses in Brazil, and the remote island of Socotra in Yemen.

900 tourism products enjoy up to 45% discounts at Tourism Festival 2025

The Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Festival 2025, which kicked off on April 3, is offering up to 45% discounts on 900 tourism products and services across more than 100 booths.

This year’s event not only serves as a key highlight for Ho Chi Minh City's tourism sector but also marks the 50th anniversary of the Southern Liberation and national reunification (April 30, 1975 – April 30, 2025).

Photo: VOV

This year's festival has attracted 32 travel operators, airlines, and businesses from 41 provinces and cities nationwide, while also creating an interactive space to experience and showcase the unique culture, cuisine, and products of each region.

Bui Thanh Tu, Marketing Director of BestPrice Travel, said that his company introduced several itineraries designed to enhance visitors' travel experiences, helping promote both Vietnamese and Ho Chi Minh City tourism.

The festival also features a dedicated section for Binh Thuan tourism, offering culinary delights, games, promotional offers, destination videos, and prize draws, cited VOV.

In addition, the event hosts community activities, exchange programs, and conferences aimed at strengthening the connections between local residents, tourists, and businesses, with the goal of promoting a modern and sustainable tourism industry.

On April 4, the festival will host a Tourism Job Bazaar 2025, thus providing a platform for jobseekers and employers to connect and ensure a skilled workforce for the tourism sector.

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