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Vice Secretary of the Central Military Commission and Minister of National Defense Gen. Phan Van Giang speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam spotlights key issues to ensure global stability at Shangri-la Dialogue

The UK-based Time Out magazine has recently published a list of the 15 most loved cities in the world by tourists, with Hanoi ranking 11th.

Hanoi is the only representative from Vietnam to be included in the list, cited VNA.

This ranking is based on an analysis of global travelers' search trends for flights, hotels, and travel itineraries, conducted by the travel insurance company InsureandGo.

Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, stands out thanks to its harmonious blend of ancient beauty and modern vitality, preserving the nostalgic charm of the Old Quarters, historic relics, and architectural works, while embracing the continuous development of a dynamic city.

According to the report from the city's Department of Tourism, in the first five months of the year, 12.77 million visitors travelled to Hanoi, a year-on-year increase of 10.9 percent. Of the figure, international visitors reached 3.16 million, up 20.2 percent.

The Department noted that the number of international tourists to Hanoi has shown steady growth, especially from key markets such as Japan, South Korea, China, France, and the U.S.

Over 50 years since its foundation in London, Time Out has become a global media and hospitality brand influencing how tens of millions of people go out around the world, with content covering 333 cities in 59 countries.

Time Out's high-quality content, curated by expert journalists, now spans a global network of websites, social media channels, videos, live events and Time Out Markets.

Vietnamese trade mission sounds out business opportunities in United States

A delegation of nearly 50 representatives from Vietnamese agencies, businesses, and agricultural associations is travelling to the United States to seek trade promotion opportunities and boost imports of key US agricultural products from June 1 - 7.

They are seeking to import key US agricultural products such as animal feed ingredients, fertilisers, biological pesticides, chilled meat and seafood, and timber materials.

The working visit of the delegation led by Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy is to reinforce the Vietnam - US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership toward balancing trade exchanges between the two countries.

Duy emphasized that both countries are strong in agriculture but are not direct competitors, and instead, they complement each other. The two sides are working together to build shared supply chains, enhance competitiveness, and ensure benefits for both producers and consumers.

Vietnamese businesses expect the trip will not only open up import opportunities but also provide access to advanced US technologies and solutions to increase the value of domestic agricultural production chains.

The working visit comes following a Vietnam trip in September 2024 by the largest-ever US agricultural trade mission led by USDA Under-secretary Alexis Taylor visited Hanoi. It included representatives from 9 states, 35 companies, and 25 agricultural associations, demonstrating America’s strong interest in the Vietnamese market.

American consumers have shown strong demand for Vietnamese agricultural products like spices, fruits, seafood, as well as wooden furniture. Conversely, Vietnam has a high demand for quality US agricultural inputs such as soybeans, corn gluten meal, milk, seeds, livestock equipment, and timber.

Vietnam’s agricultural sector is becoming increasingly professional and modern, open to new technologies. Since 2020, Vietnamese companies have signed 18 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) to import US agro-forestry-fishery products worth a total of US$6 billion, of which US$3 billion has already been disbursed, according to VOV.

Soyabeans are among key agricultural items Vietnam imports from the United States. (Photo:mekongasean.vn)

The government of Vietnam has also facilitated US market access. To date, 509 US meat exporters and 232 seafood exporters have been licensed to export to Vietnam. In addition, Vietnam is one of only eight Asian countries to approve all 61 US dossiers for genetically modified crops.

The Government’s Decree 73/2025/ND-CP, issued on March 31, 2025, further supports market opening by reducing import tariffs to 0% for many US agro-forestry-fishery products. As a result, agricultural trade between the two countries has maintained stable growth of around 10% annually for the past decade.

However, a recent decision by the Trump administration to impose a 10% tariff starting April 2, 2025 with a potential increase to 46% from July 9 on Vietnamese exports to the US has raised serious concerns.

According to Dr. Nguyen Do Anh Tuan, director general of the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, these tariffs would erode profits and reduce the competitiveness of businesses from both sides. Most notably, they would impact American consumers, particularly low-income households, who rely heavily on essential Vietnamese products like rice, seafood, and fruit.

Dr. Tuan warned that such retaliatory tariff measures could disrupt the agricultural supply chains that both countries have worked hard to build, ultimately harming both businesses and citizens of the two economies.

Meanwhile, a USDA representative affirmed that any agricultural trade imbalance largely depends on specific sectors and is influenced by factors such as regulatory policies, consumer demand, and supply chain dynamics. Ensuring equal market access and reducing tariffs remain top priorities for sustaining long-term trade growth.

The US visit by the Vietnamese delegation this time therefore demonstrates Vietnam’s goodwill toward promoting strategic trust within the bilateral agro-forestry-fishery supply chain. It also further strengthens the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Hue seeks to attract more RoK tourists

The Hue Department of Tourism held a promotion conference on May 30 to boost tourism ties with the Republic of Korea (RoK), aiming to highlight the central city’s unique tourism offerings and expand international visitor channels.

The event connected Vietnamese and Korean travel firms, encouraging new air routes and partnerships. Discussions focused on introducing Hue’s cultural appeal to Korean tourists and facilitating business collaboration through product showcases and cooperation agreements' signing.

Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism Pham Van Thuy emphasized the RoK as a top tourism market, noting 1.58 million Korean arrivals in Vietnam in the first four months of 2025, VNA reported.

Hue city Department of Tourism signs a memorandum of understanding with the Korea Association of Travel Agents. (Photo: VNA)

He urged Hue to leverage its role as host of the 2025 National Tourism Year by developing high-quality, personalized products that reflect local identity and appeal to Korean travellers.

Thuy also called for strategic investment in luxury resorts, entertainment complexes, and extended-stay services to elevate Hue’s tourism brand and retain visitors longer.

President of the Korean Association of Travel Agents Lee Jin Seok proposed initiatives like “Healing Hue Week” and themed family tours, as well as cross-border products linked with Laos. He emphasized adaptable tour design and joint promotions to meet diverse visitor interests.

The municipal Department of Tourism signed a cooperation agreement with the Korean Travel Association during the event.

Northern Vietnam scorched by heatwave, Hanoi hits close to 40°C

Many localities in Northern Vietnam are experiencing an intense heatwave, with temperatures reaching close to 40°C in the capital city of Hanoi, the highest recorded so far this summer.

At Lang weather station in Hanoi, temperatures climbed to 39.4°C at 1:00 PM on June 1, marking the highest reading of the season, reported the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF).

The NCHMF report shows other areas also recorded extreme heat, including Ha Dong district (Hanoi) 39°C, Phu Ly city (Ha Nam province) 38.7°C, and Lac Son district (Hoa Binh province) 38.8°C.

According to meteorologists, the ongoing heatwave is caused by intense low-pressure systems from the west, amplified by dry foehn winds, leading to widespread scorching conditions.

The heat is expected to persist into June 2, with highs ranging from 37°C to over 39°C across Northern and Central Vietnam, VOV reported.

A scorching heatwave sweeping across Northern and Central Vietnam is reaching its peak, with temperatures reaching close to 40°C.

Relief may come to the North starting the night of June 2, with forecasted rain showers and thunderstorms. However, central provinces are anticipated to continue to endure intense heat in the following days.

In these extreme weather conditions, residents are urged to avoid going outdoors between 10 AM and 5 PM, stay hydrated, wear light and breathable clothing, and use protective measures against sun exposure to safeguard health.

Da Nang emerges as a global culinary star for 2025

The Michelin Guide’s selection of Da Nang as an exciting culinary destination for 2025 has cemented the central coastal city’s place on the global food map, highlighting the vibrant appeal of its seafood-heavy cuisine and diverse regional flavours, said the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

A culinary map to draw repeat visitors

Da Nang is aiming high for 2025, targeting 11.9 million visitors to its hotels, restaurants, and attractions, with a projected revenue from tourism-related services exceeding 36 trillion VND (1.44 billion USD).

Since June 2024, when Michelin first cast its discerning eye on Da Nang, the city has joined Vietnam’s culinary elite, trailing only Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Up to 36 local eateries snagged the 2024 Bib Gourmand for quality and wallet-friendly fare, while one restaurant secured a coveted Michelin Star and another received a Michelin Green Star for sustainability.

In early 2025, Michelin named the city one of Asia’s 10 must-visit culinary hubs and a haven for food tourists and digital nomads, VNN reported.

Da Nang Tourism Ambassador, Miss International 2024 Huynh Thi Thanh Thuy spreads Da Nang cuisine at the Da Nang Food Tour 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang rolled out its Food Tour Passport programme in late 2024 to maintain the momentum. From March 28 - June 28, 2025, visitors can collect stamps at participating eateries to redeem for gifts, with 5,000 bilingual passports offering exclusive perks.

A digital culinary map, accessible at www.foodtourdanang.vn, guides tourists to 400 reputable eateries, Michelin-honoured venues, and local specialties ideal for souvenirs.

Expanding a dynamic food scene

Da Nang is ramping up promotional activities to position itself as a global culinary crossroads, where Vietnamese traditions meet international palates. Food festivals regularly pop up, and campaigns like the Food Passport keep the buzz alive.

Behind the scenes, tech partnerships with platforms like iPOS and KiotViet are dragging stalls into the digital age, streamlining orders and polishing service.

The municipal authorities have pegged gastronomy as a linchpin, pouring resources into quality and innovation. The goal is to lure deep-pocketed travelers, including leisure seekers, corporate groups, golfers, honeymooners, and luxury vacationers, from Northeast and Southeast Asia, with an eye on farther-flung markets like Western Europe, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, India, and the US.

To distinguish itself, Da Nang is building its culinary tourism around three pillars: local dishes rooted in central Vietnam’s traditions, regional specialties from across the country, and international cuisine that reflects its growing appeal.

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