Ilustrative image. Photo: VNA

Covid-19: national caseload rises to 10,758,189 on July 14

The national caseload of Covid-19 reached 10,758,189 on July 14 with 932 new cases reported in the past 24 hours, according to the Ministry of Health.

A total 8,545 Covid-19 patients were given the all clear on the day, bringing the number of recoveries so far to 9,793,800. There are 36 patients in serious conditions needing breathing support, cited VNA.

No death from Covid-19 was recorded in the past 24 hours. The total fatalities stood at 43,090.

On July 13, 582,865 doses of vaccines were administered, raising the total number of doses of Covid-19 vaccines injected to 237,061,012.

The vaccination rate of the first booster shot among over-18 people is now 69.6% while the vaccination rate of second booster shot is 30%.

Vietnam promotes defense cooperation with Japan

Vietnam wants to increase defense cooperation with Japan, so as to make practical contributions to the extensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense, made the statement at a reception in Hanoi on July 14 for outgoing Japanese Defense Attaché Col. Hara Takashi, and incumbent Defense Attaché Col. Ishihara Masanao for the new term, starting in 2022.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense always attaches great importance to the extensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan, considering this a premise to further promote bilateral defense cooperation, according to VOV.

An overview of the reception for the two Japanese military officers. Photo: qdnd.vn

Despite the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, defense cooperation between Vietnam and Japan has been strengthened through regular contact and visit exchanges, he said.

Both sides have maintained existing cooperation mechanisms and recorded positive results, especially in training, support in UN peacekeeping activities, capacity building, cybersecurity, military medicine, overcoming war consequences, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance.

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Chien acknowledged Col. Takashi’s contributions during his part term and welcomed Col. Masanao to undertake a new mission in Vietnam, hoping that Masanao would continue to take new initiatives to beef up defense cooperation between the two countries in a more substantive and effective manner.

Hoi An makes its way into world's 25 best cities list

The ancient Hoi An town in Vietnam’s central province of Quang Nam has found itself voted to the 20th place in a new global listing of 25 best cities chosen by readers of US magazine Travel + Leisure.

Readers ranked the cities based on factors such as the quality of hotels and restaurants, cultural heritage, attractions, cuisine, and Covid-19 protocols.

Hoi An is an ideal place for culture explorers, food lovers and shoppers. Photo: VNA

Oaxaca in Mexico was voted the best city with a score of 92.96. San Miguel de Allende in Mexico came second followed by Ubud in Indonesia.

Hoi An used to be a busy international commercial port from the 16th to 19th centuries, attracting merchant ships from China and Japan. It is a World Heritage site recognized by UNESCO.

Recently, Dubai-based Time Out magazine has also listed Hoi An among "the very best places" to travel to in July with warm weather.

"As the monsoon rains fall in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, savvy travelers in Vietnam head to the central coast where the weather is dry and warm," the magazine said.

Foreign arrival attraction yet to meet expectations

Four months after Vietnam reopened its borders to tourism markets overseas, the number of foreign arrivals has yet to meet expectations, despite some improvements being made.

Annual target out of reach?

The country officially welcomed the return of foreign visitors on March 15 when the Prime Minister decided to reopen the country’s borders. However, it attracted approximately 414,000 foreign travelers during the first six months of the year, a moderate figure compared to the 60.8 million domestic holidaymakers the tourism industry served throughout the reviewed period.

Services receiving foreign travelers are now up and running again in major tourist attractions across the country. In addition, domestic and overseas airlines have resumed international routes connecting Vietnam with Japan, India, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and countries in Europe.

A representative of Vietnam Airlines notes that with the Covid-19 outbreak brought under control and travel restrictions relaxed in many countries, travel demand is starting to show signs of improvements. Vietnam Airlines for instance has resumed approximately 55% of international routes compared to 2019 and recorded a gradual increase in the number of international passengers.

Despite these improvements, the welcoming of foreign visitors has yet to live up to expectations, particularly as the figure of 414,000 foreign arrivals in the first half makes up just 10% of the target of receiving approximately five million for this year, reported VOV.

Vietnam has attracted only 414,000 foreign arrrivals in the first half of the year, or 10% of the yearly target. Photo: VOV

Nguyen Ngoc Toan, director of Images Travel, recently told Nguoi Lao Dong (Labourer) newspaper that travelers, especially those from Europe, have moved to tighten their belts due to the impact of petrol and oil prices, coupled with high inflation in their markets, directly impacting travel costs.

Records from a number of European travel companies indicate that the habit of tourists to choose destinations has changed, with many choosing nearby destinations as opposed to travelling to further markets like Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Toan said.

Furthermore, despite airlines reopening international routes to Europe, the frequency of flights during the week remains low, making it difficult for travelers to book tickets, explained the executive, adding that high ticket prices has also affected the price of tours on offer to international guests.

High expectations moving into second half

Tour operators shared the view that Vietnam will find it challenging to meet its target of receiving five million foreign visitors this year, and they speculated that the Government would adjust this target.

The Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism played down concerns and affirmed that it will not revise the figure, saying it pins high hopes on the development of the market moving into the second half of this year, particularly as it is typically the peak season for welcoming foreign visitors.

“Our key task in this period is to create new products, deploy stimulus and marketing campaigns, develop human resources, and improve the quality of services,” said Deputy Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism Doan Van Viet.

Vu The Binh, chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, shared Deputy Minister Viet’s view that good preparations in the remaining months of the year could allow Vietnam to attract five million visitors.

“One of the barriers preventing international visitors entering Vietnam is the difficult visa policy Indeed, the 15-day visa exemption policy as currently applied is very difficult for guests to enter, stay long and spend much. Therefore, it is necessary to continue to improve the visa policy,” suggested Binh.

Meanwhile, Hoang Nhan Chinh, head of the Secretariat of the Tourism Advisory Board (TAB), suggested that the country ramp up its marketing campaign to further popularise it as a safe and attractive destination.

He pointed to the fact that roughly 70% of international visitors return to Thailand thanks to effective marketing, while the rate in Vietnam stands at as low as 25%. In addition, foreign visitors spend an average of US$2,500 in Thailand compared to just US$1,200 in Vietnam for a nine-day stay.

According to tour operators, there are often a number of major international tourism fairs held in France and the UK in the second half of the year, which offers an opportunity for Vietnam to promote tourism. It is widely thought that investing in marketing will help Vietnam attract more international visitors in the future.

Vietnam to face Philippines in semi-finals of Women’s AFF Cup

Vietnam defeated Myanmar 4-0 to top Group B of the 2022 Women’s AFF Cup on July 13.

The Vietnamese squad. Photo: VFF

The first goal was scored in the 16th minute, and the second, 35th minute, with a successful penalty kick by Tuyet Dung.

Thanks to coordination between Chuong Thi Kieu and Huynh Nhu, Vietnam made another goal in extra time of the first half.

There were many scoring chances for Vietnam in the second half. However, they only scored the fourth goal in the 89th minute.

With the victory, Vietnam will face the Philippines in the semi-finals at 7pm on July 15, cited NDO.

A match between Thailand and Myanmar will take place at 3pm the same day.

The women’s AFF Championship is underway in Manila from July 4 to 17.

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