EV maker VinFast eyes the Philippine market

Vietnamese e-vehicle manufacturer VinFast VinFast plans to expand its retail network in the Philippines this year, chairman Pham Nhat Vuong said during a meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos JR this week. VinFast aims to expand its markets to 50 countries and territories by 2024, with the Philippines and Southeast Asia as priorities.

According to President Ferdinand, the Philippines is on track to overhaul and modernize its transport sector, transitioning from fossil fuel vehicles to electric cars and bicycles, and attracting foreign investment.

Conference to promote tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Kazakhstan

The coast of Nha Trang city in Khanh Hoa province. Photo: Trung Nhan/The Hanoi Times

With its beautiful landscapes, rich history, and warm hospitality, Vietnam offers special opportunities for Kazakh tourists and businessmen, making tourism cooperation a new chapter in the friendly relations between the two countries. Galiya Tokseitova, Director of the Tourism Department of the City of Almaty, Kazakhstan, shared her aspirations on January 31 at the Tourism and Trade Promotion Conference in Khanh Hoa Province, which was attended by more than 120 companies from Kazakhstan.

In the first nine months of 2023, some 1,392 visitors from Vietnam came to Kazakhstan, 53 times more than the previous year.

Danang targets US$1 billion capital inflow by 2025

The central coastal city of Danang aims to attract a total of US$1 billion in investment capital to local industrial and high-tech parks by 2025. The city government is considering completing and expanding the local high-tech park so that digital economic activities account for at least 10% of the city's total revenue by 2025.

The city also hopes to find a contractor to build three new industrial parks in 2024-2025. To date, the city has attracted more than 520 projects with a total investment capital of $3.14 billion.

Vietnam requests technical check of 44 Airbus A321 NEO aircraft

Dinh Viet Thang, Director of the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam, has asked Vietnam Airlines and VietJet Air to conduct a technical inspection on the engines of 44 Airbus A321 NEO aircraft. The request was made in response to a notice issued by US engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney.

The two airlines have until February 15 to complete the assessment reports and submit them to the authority. If the engines are faulty, it can take 250-300 days to fix them.

Coc Coc to become national browser and search tool

The Ministry of Information and Communication wants Coc Coc to become a national browser and search tool, Deputy Minister Nguyen Huy Dung said at a meeting with the Coc Coc team on January 31. He added that, if successful, Coc Coc would play an important role in ensuring national security and protecting the privacy of Vietnamese users.

This ambition was echoed by CEO Nguyen Vu Anh at the event, who pledged that the company would invest in and enhance the quality of infrastructure and information security to best serve Vietnamese users.

Ho Chi Minh City to reorganize five suburban districts into three cities

Ho Chi Minh City is considering a plan to develop five suburban districts into three satellite cities. Specifically, the northern city will include Hoc Mon and Cu Chi districts and focus on agro-ecology, entertainment, healthcare, eco-industry and services.

Meanwhile, the western city will be created from Binh Thanh district and will be a hub for medical centers, industrial production, high technology and international exhibitions. The southern city will be made up of Nha Be and Can Gio districts.

Russia and Vietnam boost tourism development

Aeroflot Airlines launched a direct flight between Moscow and Ho Chi Minh City on January 31, with a frequency of twice a week; the trial period is expected to last until the end of March. Russian tour operators hope that the direct flight will increase demand for travel to Vietnam.

Moreover, thanks to Vietnam's visa-free entry policy for Russian tourists, which allows them to stay for up to 45 days, the country ranked among the top 10 most popular destinations for Russian tourists in February 2024, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).