The Quang Ninh Culinary Festival 2024, themed “Quang Ninh – A Destination of Culinary Excellence,” will take place from December 26 to 29.
Organized by the Quang Ninh Department of Tourism in collaboration with various departments, agencies, and related organizations, the festival will be held at Sun Carnival Plaza in Bai Chay Ward, Ha Long City.
The Quang Ninh Culinary Festival 2024 features a series of unique and captivating activities, including: An exhibition showcasing traditional culinary specialties and signature products from Quang Ninh’s localities and provinces across northern, central, and southern Vietnam, displayed at 200 booths. Artistic performances and demonstrations of culinary and cocktail preparation by renowned chefs and artisans.
This event serves as a meaningful opportunity for localities and tourism businesses within and beyond Quang Ninh to foster connections, exchange experiences, and develop culinary tourism into an attractive, distinctive product that draws visitors and enhances Quang Ninh’s tourism brand.
Quang Ninh cuisine is diverse in dishes and preparation methods.
Hosting the event in the final month of 2024, a time when Quang Ninh’s tourism sector is striving to recover from significant damage caused by Typhoon No. 3 in September 2024, highlights the determination and resilience of local authorities, businesses, and communities. It also underscores efforts to achieve the province’s goal of welcoming 19 million tourists in 2024. The festival is expected to attract around 120,000 visitors.
In previous years, Quang Ninh successfully organized culinary festivals in 2020, 2022, and 2023. These events generated positive media attention, drew widespread interest from provinces, cities, tourists, and residents, and significantly enhanced Quang Ninh’s image and tourism brand.
In 2024, Binh Dinh Province is estimated to welcome 9.2 million tourists, generating approximately VND 25,500 billion in revenue.
International professional motorboat and jet ski racing tournament in Binh Dinh, taking place in March 2024
According to the Binh Dinh Department of Tourism, the province is expected to see 9.2 million visitors in 2024, an increase of 83.9% compared to 2023. This includes 93,850 international tourists (up 17.3%) and over 9.1 million domestic visitors (up 85% ). Binh Dinh’s tourism revenue for 2024 is projected at VND 25,500 billion, marking a 55.4% increase from VND 16,405 billion in 2023.
However, the number of flights to Binh Dinh in 2024 decreased by more than 1,000 compared to 2023. As a result, tourists now tend to opt for flights from Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City to Tuy Hoa, Pleiku, or Buon Ma Thuot airports, followed by road transport to reach Binh Dinh.
Additionally, there has been a noticeable rise in visitors choosing train routes to Dieu Tri, Quy Nhon, or Phu Yen stations, then traveling to Binh Dinh. Notably, two new luxury train services connecting Da Nang – Quy Nhon and Nha Trang – Quy Nhon offer five-star hotel-like amenities, adding a new dimension to Binh Dinh’s tourism offerings.
Kite flying festival on Quy Nhon beach (Binh Dinh)
In 2024, Binh Dinh hosted several national and international cultural, sports, and tourism events. These activities help promote the province’s tourism, promoting the land and people of Binh Dinh. This contributed to making Quy Nhon – Binh Dinh an attractive destination, expanding the tourism market, and increasing tourist numbers in the coming years.
Efforts to promote, market, and collaborate on tourism development were accelerated. The application of information technology in tourism development received attention, and training programs to enhance workforce quality were further strengthened.
Binh Dinh Traditional Martial Arts Festival
Moreover, localities in the province organized cultural and sports festivals linked to their unique strengths, creating new tourism products. These efforts support the goal of making Binh Dinh’s tourism sector a key economic driver for the 2020–2025 period.
Recently, the Department of Culture and Sports of Thua Thien Hue Province held a ceremony to celebrate the recognition of “The Knowledge of Tailoring and Wearing Hue Ao Dai” as a national intangible cultural heritage. The event was participated by local residents and enthusiasts of the Hue ao dai.
The recognition ceremony took place at the Provincial Culture and Cinema Center in Thua Thien Hue. Previously, on August 9, 2024, the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism signed the decision to inscribe “The Knowledge of Tailoring and Wearing Hue Ao Dai” into the list of national intangible cultural heritage.
A group of artists in traditional Vietnamese costumes are performing Hue folk songs at the Hue Imperial City. Photo: Ngoc Khuyen
According to the Department of Culture and Sports of Thua Thien Hue, the history of ao dai in Hue dates back to 1744, when Lord Nguyen Phuc Khoat ascended the throne in Phu Xuan (now Hue). He introduced reform in court attire, elevating the ao dai to a central role in the cultural identity of the Dang Trong region, symbolizing autonomy and cultural pride. While Emperor Gia Long in 1802 intended to implement national costume reform, it was Emperor Minh Mang, between 1826 and 1837, who successfully standardized and popularized the ao dai across the country.
Tailoring shops specializing in Hue ao dai are mainly concentrated in areas such as Gia Hoi – Cho Dinh, Kim Long, Vi Da, and Phu Cam. These regions are rich in history, culture, and densely populated, home to families and clans with longstanding traditions of crafting Hue ao dai.
According to a representative of the Department of Culture and Sports, Hue ao dai possesses a distinct uniqueness compared to ao dai from other regions, rooted in the cultural heritage of Hue, which once served as the capital of the Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam’s last monarchy. Here, the refined aesthetics of royal attire, governed by strict codes, merged with the rustic beauty of folk fashion, giving Hue ao dai its distinctive charm. This blend has imbued Hue ao dai with an elegance and fluidity rarely found elsewhere.
In a recently published article, the prestigious British newspaper The Times showcased a list of stunning destinations across Vietnam.
Travel journalist Claire Boobbyer of The Times shares her memorable journey through Vietnam, providing recommendations for must-visit spots in this S-shaped country based on her personal experiences.
Photo: Vietnamdrive
At the top of the list is Hanoi, the millennia-old capital rich in culture and history.
“Hanoi feels like a living museum filled with memorable milestones. The city is home to rivers, lakes, cultural centers, bustling markets, and a diverse culinary scene. Visitors shouldn’t miss exploring the Old Quarter, often called the ‘heart’ of Hanoi,” Boobbyer suggested.
The breathtaking natural landscapes of Ha Giang also left a lasting impression on Boobbyer, earning the northern province the second spot on her list.
“Visitors here can marvel at the spectacular scenery while experiencing the daily lives of local ethnic communities,” she noted.
Pu Luong (Thanh Hoa) and Mai Chau (Hoa Binh) were also highlighted as unique destinations that captivated the foreign journalist.
In Khanh Hoa, Boobbyer introduced readers to Ninh Van Bay, located on the Hon Heo Peninsula, about 60 kilometers from Nha Trang. “Ninh Van Bay is a tranquil retreat far removed from the hustle and bustle of urban life. This pristine bay offers fresh air and a harmonious connection between nature and humanity.”
Other notable hits celebrated by the The Times writer include the ancient capital of Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An (Quang Nam), and Da Lat (Lam Dong).
VinFast’s Q3 revenue reached VND 12,326 billion, a 49% year-on-year increase, driven by a surge in vehicle deliveries in September.
VinFast delivered nearly 22,000 electric cars in the third quarter. Photo: Phuong Lam.
According to its recently released Q3 financial report, VinFast Auto Ltd. (Nasdaq: VFS) delivered 21,912 vehicles during the quarter, marking a 115% growth compared to the same period last year. This helped the company achieve a revenue of VND 12,326 billion, up 49%.
In September alone, VinFast delivered a significant number of vehicles in the Vietnamese market, making it the best-selling automotive brand for the month.
However, the EV manufacturer reported a gross loss of VND 2,957 billion in Q3. On a positive note, this represents a 46% reduction in gross loss compared to the previous quarter. Gross profit margin also improved from -63% in Q2 and -27% in Q3 2022 to -24% in the latest quarter.
After deducting expenses and taxes, VinFast recorded a net loss of VND 13,251 billion, a 15% decrease year-on-year.
Le Thi Thu Thuy, Chairwoman of VinFast, attributed the improved Q3 performance to strong business results in September. “We aim to close 2024 on a high note, achieving our target of delivering 80,000 vehicles as planned,” Thuy stated.
In October, VinFast delivered over 11,000 electric vehicles to Vietnamese customers, a 21% increase from September, raising the total number of EVs delivered in Vietnam to 51,000 since the beginning of the year. VinFast continued to lead the market in October and became the best-selling brand over the first 10 months of the year.
Recently, VinFast secured additional financial commitments from its founder Pham Nhat Vuong and Vingroup. Vingroup plans to provide up to VND 35,000 billion in new loans to VinFast’s Vietnam entities by the end of 2026, while Pham Nhat Vuong has pledged VND 50,000 billion in personal funds to support the company.
Additionally, Vingroup will convert its existing loans to VinFast, totaling around VND 80,000 billion, into preferred shares with dividend entitlements.
This financial backing aims to ensure VinFast has sufficient resources to fund its operations and investments. The company targets achieving breakeven and self-sustaining cash flow by the end of 2026.
VinFast remains on track with its global expansion strategy. As of October 31, the company’s worldwide retail network includes 173 car showrooms and 160 electric motorcycle showrooms and service centers, including both VinFast-owned outlets and dealerships.
The company recorded record sales in North America in September. It plans to deliver its VF 9 model in the U.S. and Canada in November.
In Indonesia, VinFast has delivered its VF e34 and VF 5 right-hand drive models and is preparing to open its factory in Subang by 2025. By October 31, VinFast had established 17 dealerships across 15 cities in the country.
In the Philippines, the company launched its VF 3, VF 5, and VF 7 models. By the end of October, it had eight dealerships in six cities.
In India, VinFast is setting up a factory with an annual capacity of 50,000 EVs, with machinery installation underway. The facility is scheduled to commence operations in 2025.
In October, VinFast also entered the Middle East market, launched its brand in the UAE and opened its first dealership in Dubai’s city center.
After a restructuring period, Bamboo Airways has resumed international flights, offering competitive fares rivaling low-cost carriers on the HCMC-Bangkok route.
Bamboo Airways flights to Bangkok will land at Don Mueang Airport. Photo: BAV.
On the afternoon of November 26, flight QH323 from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (HCMC) landed at Don Mueang International Airport (Bangkok, Thailand).
Phan Dinh Tue, Chairman of Bamboo Airways, stated that this marks not only Bamboo Airways’ return to the Thai market but also the beginning of re-establishing its regular international flight network. This milestone demonstrates the airline’s recovery efforts and commitment to sustainable growth.
He further emphasized that Bangkok and Thailand have long been popular destinations for Vietnamese and international tourists. Bamboo Airways previously operated routes connecting Hanoi and HCMC to Bangkok, achieving high occupancy rates, peaking at 90% during the 2023 Lunar New Year season.
Currently, the HCMC-Bangkok route is highly competitive, with participation from several Vietnamese and Thai airlines, including Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air, Vietravel Airlines, AirAsia, and Thai Airways.
During a media event in Thailand, Truong Viet Cuong, Deputy General Director of Bamboo Airways, highlighted the airline’s competitive advantages, including its high on-time performance (OTP) and full-service offerings.
“Bamboo is committed to maintaining a high OTP. Despite being a full-service airline, we offer competitive fares, which are key factors in attracting customers on this busy route,” Cuong noted.
According to a survey by Tri Thuc – Znews, in December, round-trip fares for the HCMC-Bangkok route range from VND 3.4 to 3.6 million for Bamboo Airways and low-cost carrier AirAsia. Vietjet Air and Vietravel Airlines’ fares are around VND 4.5 million, while Vietnam Airlines’ fares are at VND 6.3 million.
Bamboo Airways plans to operate the HCMC-Bangkok route with a daily round trip, departing at 11:15 AM from HCMC and 2:00 PM from Bangkok.
Previously, the airline had launched regular flights on the HCMC-Bangkok route in April 2022 and Hanoi-Bangkok in March 2023.
On November 5, an Airbus A320 aircraft, registered JU-1410, landed at Noi Bai International Airport, becoming the newest addition to Bamboo Airways’ fleet ahead of the year-end peak season.
Luong Hoai Nam, CEO of Bamboo Airways, shared that over the past year, the airline has been actively negotiating with aircraft reducers worldwide to expand its fleet amidst a global aircraft shortage.
He noted that Bamboo Airways is continuing discussions with partners and anticipates adding more aircraft before the Lunar New Year of 2025.
With these new additions, the airline plans to increase flight frequencies and resume regular domestic and international routes.
In the first six months of operation, Metro Line No. 1 Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien will run 200 trips daily from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM. After this initial phase, operating hours will extend to 11:30 PM daily.
According to a representative from the HCMC Urban Railway Company Limited No. 1 (HURC1), Metro Line No. 1 is planned to operate from 5:00 AM to 11:30 PM with a train frequency of 4 minutes and 30 seconds. Trains will stop for 30 seconds at each station, except for special stations like Ben Thanh and Suoi Tien.
However, during the first six months of commercial operation, the line will run 200 trips daily from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
During peak hours (6:00–8:00 AM, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM, and 3:30–6:00 PM), trains will run at 8-minute intervals with nine trains in operation. During off-peak hours, the interval will be 12 minutes with six trains.
“After the initial phase, the metro line will extend its operating hours to 11:30 PM daily,” HURC1 leadership stated.
On weekdays (Monday to Friday), the peak-hour train frequency will be 5 minutes per trip, 10 minutes during regular hours, and 15 minutes during low-demand hours, amounting to approximately 276 trips per day.
On weekends (Saturday and Sunday), summer holidays, and public holidays, peak-hour frequency will be 8 minutes per trip, 10 minutes during regular hours, and 15 minutes during low-demand hours, totaling approximately 226 trips per day.
Previously, from November 11 to 17, Metro Line No. 1 underwent trial operations at 100% design capacity, with 14 trains running continuously from 5:00 AM to 11:30 PM.
During the trial period, nearly 3,000 passengers experienced the metro, according to HURC1 Representatives. This phase provides an opportunity for station staff, train operators, and management teams to gain experience in organizing and managing metro operations.
“Through the trial operations, we addressed limitations, enhancing station efficiency and ensuring safety and service quality for passengers,” the HURC1 representative stated.
The representative also mentioned that operational teams continue to hold meetings and draw lessons to ensure the best possible preparation for the official launch.
Additionally, the 61 train operators—who have been with Metro Line No. 1 since 2020—have intense training programs. This guarantees safe and reliable operations, providing passengers confidence in the Vietnamese operators’ skills.
Nearly 400 station staff have also received professional training and adhere to strict protocols, ensuring they are ready to deliver top-quality service to the public in the coming month.
The anti-risk Japanese yen looks to gain ground as the talk of a BOJ rate hike in December gathers steam.
Bitcoin’s (BTC) bullish momentum has hit a snag this week for several reasons, including a weaker stateside demand. Now, the Australian dollar-Japanese yen exchange rate or the AUD/JPY pair, the classic risk barometer, has turned south again, signaling caution to risk asset bulls.
The Australian dollar (AUD), a commodity currency, is a proxy for global economic health, particularly for emerging markets and China. On the other hand, the Japanese yen (JPY) is seen as a safe-haven currency that investors turn to during times of stress. Thus, a decline in AUD/JPY is considered a risk-off signal.
Matt Simpson, an analyst at The City Index, summed it up in his analysis as follows: “As AUD/JPY is a classic barometer of risk, we should take note that all is not looking well around current levels. If AUD/JPY tanks, it’s likely to be followed by risk in general.”
A crypto bull might brush off the FX drama as a non-event, particularly against the backdrop of BTC’s recent meteoric rise close to $100,000, but history suggests otherwise.
Remember late July and early August? The Japanese yen began rising on rumors that the Bank of Japan (BOJ) was about to hike rates, which it did at the end of the month. The AUD/JPY pair dropped over 8% to 98 in July, hinting at a wave of risk aversion that kicked in during the first week of August.
BTC fell from roughly $70,000 to $50,000 as the yen strength led to traders closing bullish bets in risk assets funded by the cheap JPY-denominated loans. The AUD/JPY pair eventually found a floor at 90 and rebounded alongside other risk assets.
Fast forward to now, the AUD/JPY pair has dipped below the trendline, characterizing its recovery from the early August low of 90. The breakdown points to a renewed strength in the yen accompanied by a growing chatter of a possible BOJ rate hike next month.
If that’s not enough, markets are second-guessing the possibility of the Federal Reserve cutting rates by another 25 basis points next month and trade war fears are resurfacing with President-elect Donald Trump’s plans to impose the supposedly-inflationary tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China.
“Expectations are growing that the BOJ will raise rates again in December. This comes amid the prevailing view that the Fed will keep rates on hold at the December FOMC meeting,” ING said in a note to clients this week, adding it expects the BOJ to lift the benchmark borrowing costs in December.
“On 21 November, [BOJ governor] Ueda left the door open for further tightening, stating that the BOJ would ‘decide at each meeting,’ fueling speculation of a December rate hike,” ING explained.
BTC bulls should keep their eyes peeled for round two of the yen-led risk-off scenario, which could potentially push prices well below $90,000.
The overwhelming chatter on social media, especially Crypto Twitter is that Ethereum’s ether (ETH) is dead, a narrowly moving token.
Still, the market is betting on higher ETH prices as traders pile into derivatives tied to the cryptocurrency alongside a boom in Ethereum’s blob usage.
Cumulative open interest in perpetual and standard futures contracts has surged to a record 6.32 million ETH, worth over $27 billion, registering a 17% month-to-date gain, according to data source CoinGlass. An uptick in open interest alongside a price is said to validate an uptrend, and ether’s price has surged 35% to $3,400 this month, matching the industry leader’s bitcoin’s price gain.
According to data source Velo, the gap between three-month ETH futures and spot prices, the so-called premium, has expanded to an annualized 16% on offshore exchanges Binance, OKX and Deribit. Meanwhile, the front-month premium on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange has risen to 14%.
That’s noteworthy because an elevated premium could generate greater interest in cash and carry trades used to capture the price differential between the two markets, leading to increased inflows into the U.S.-listed spot ETH ETFs. The strategy comprises a long position in the spot ETF with a simultaneous short in the CME futures.
Activity in the ether options market listed on Deribit is also picking up, with over 2 million contracts active or open at press time, the highest since late June. In notional terms, the open interest stands at $7.33 billion, according to Deribit Metrics.
The price uptick has further driven up the value of assets locked on Ethereum-based applications to $65 billion as of Wednesday, a figure last seen in May 2022.
A major chunk of those, however, are held on three applications. Liquid staking protocol Lido holds over $32 billion in locked ether, Aave, a lending protocol, holds $26 billion in various assets, and restaking platform EigenLayer holds $14 billion.
Data shows a bump in revenue, fees, new wallets and on-chain volumes on Ethereum, with the past month showing elevated levels of activity compared to the period from May to September. (The metrics are no where close to an year-to-date peak seen in March, when interest around ETH ETFs was at a high.)
The Solana network and its applications continue to dominate DeFi activity, however, due to its broader retail appeal and cheap fees.
Stablecoin data further shows that Ethereum has more USDT hosted than Tron, with $60.3 billion on Ethereum compared to $57.94 billion on Tron, for the first time since June 2022.
Among sentiment factors, president-elect Donald Trump’s victory has brought back hopes of a decentralized finance (DeFi) bull market, at least among some investors, and with it demand for ETH.
The campaign indicated a move toward reducing the regulatory burden on crypto, potentially making it easier for DeFi platforms to operate within the U.S — a promise that has spurred growth in ETH and major DeFi tokens since early November.
Các doanh nghiệp bảo hiểm (DNBH) buộc phải thực hiện ghi âm/ghi hình trong tư vấn bảo hiểm theo quy định của Luật, việc này được cho sẽ phát sinh thêm quy trình, có thể gây “phiền hà” cho khách hàng. Tuy nhiên, theo các chuyên gia, công nghệ sẽ giúp DNBH tuân thủ, cùng với đó gia tăng niềm tin, bảo đảm quyền và lợi ích cho khách hàng.
Áp dụng quy trình theo quy định mới của Luật
Chị Phan Như Tâm (38 tuổi), ở Gò Vấp, TP. Hồ Chí Minh cho biết, cuối tháng 10/2024 chị chủ động tìm hiểu sản phẩm của 2-3 hãng bảo hiểm khác nhau. Thấy sản phẩm của Prudential phù hợp với nhu cầu, đầu tháng 11, khi đã được tư vấn kỹ càng chị đã quyết định tham gia hai gói bảo hiểm với đầy đủ quyền lợi cho hai vợ chồng và các con.
Sau khi được chia sẻ về quyền lợi, các loại phí, điều kiện loại trừ…chị được thông báo sẽ phải thực hiện việc ghi âm một số nội dung và đây là điều kiện bắt buộc để hợp đồng được cấp theo quy định của Luật.
Mặc dù phải mất thêm hơn 20 phút để ghi âm các nội dung nêu trên với sự hỗ trợ của tư vấn viên, chị Tâm cảm thấy khá hài lòng dịch vụ của công ty bảo hiểm.
“Kịch bản ghi âm có hơi dài, nhưng là cần thiết khi tóm tắt được nội dung chính của sản phẩm bảo hiểm, bởi hợp đồng quá dài, nhiều thông tin, không thể đọc hết”, chị Tâm nói thêm.
Cũng có cảm nhận tương tự, chị Nguyễn Mai Trang (30 tuổi) ở Hoài Đức, Hà Nội cho biết, ngày 4/11 khi tham gia một hợp đồng bảo hiểm, chị được tư vấn viên chia sẻ, theo quy định mới của Bộ Tài chính, bắt buộc phải ghi âm một số nội dung trong tư vấn sản phẩm bảo hiểm liên kết đầu tư.
Thực tế đi tư vấn, anh Tô Huỳnh Quốc Thắng (chuyên viên tư vấn BHNT Prudential) chia sẻ, khách hàng rất ủng hộ quy định này của cơ quan quản lý nhà nước, mặc dù thời gian đầu triển khai còn nhiều phản hồi như thời gian ghi âm ngắn, nội dung khá dài, thiếu sót thông tin bị trả về hồ sơ yêu cầu bảo hiểm…
“Chính đội ngũ tư vấn cũng mất thêm thời gian, phải hướng dẫn cho khách hàng, tuy nhiên về đường dài, tôi thấy đây là quy trình vô cùng cần thiết để đảm bảo quyền lợi cho khách hàng”, anh Thắng cho biết.
Tính đến thời điểm này, các DNBH nhân thọ đã đồng loạt triển khai quy định của Luật Kinh doanh bảo hiểm 2022 và thông tư số 67/2023 về việc ghi âm/ghi hình một số nội dung trong tư vấn sản phẩm bảo hiểm liên kết đầu tư từ ngày 2/11/2024 sau thời gian thử nghiệm trước đó. Theo chia sẻ từ Prudential, doanh nghiệp đã áp dụng thử nghiệm ghi âm vào quy trình bán hàng từ 15/10/2024 trước ngày quy định của Luật, tính đến 31/10 thì tỷ lệ thành công đạt hơn 94%.
Đây là quy định của Luật, các DN bảo hiểm nhân thọ bắt buộc phải triển khai. Các công ty BHNT cũng đã có sự chuẩn bị cho việc này, bởi trong quá trình xây dựng thông tư, họ đã nắm được tinh thần, nên có kế hoạch chủ động chuẩn bị, đầu tư cơ sở hạ tầng kỹ thuật, công nghệ để đảm bảo việc triển khai vừa đúng quy định, nhưng phải mang tới trải nghiệm tốt nhất cho khách hàng.
Công nghệ đảm bảo: Thêm quy trình nhưng cũng tăng trải nghiệm cho khách hàng
Theo ông Ngô Trung Dũng – Phó Tổng thư ký phụ trách Hiệp hội bảo hiểm Việt Nam (IAV), ghi âm/ghi hình trong tư vấn bảo hiểm giúp pháp lý trong ngành bảo hiểm ngày càng hoàn thiện và chỉ mang lại lợi ích tích cực.
Bà Nguyễn Thanh Hà, Phó Tổng Giám Đốc Giao Dịch Bảo Hiểm – Prudential Việt Nam cho biết, thử thách của doanh nghiệp là làm sao đảm bảo trải nghiệm của khách hàng lẫn tư vấn viên xuyên suốt quá trình ghi âm.
Bà Nguyễn Thanh Hà, Phó Tổng Giám Đốc Giao Dịch Bảo Hiểm – Prudential Việt Nam chia sẻ quá trình áp dụng việc ghi âm quá trình tư vấn vào quy trình bán hàng: “Chúng tôi hiểu sẽ có những khó khăn trong giai đoạn đầu áp dụng những quy trình mới, công nghệ mới. Thách thức của doanh nghiệp là làm sao đảm bảo trải nghiệm của khách hàng, tư vấn viên mà vẫn đảm bảo tuân thủ quy định của Luật. Khi đưa ghi âm vào quy trình bán hàng, Prudential ưu tiên phát triển công nghệ để đảm bảo trải nghiệm khách hàng lẫn tư vấn viên không chỉ là ghi âm quá trình tư vấn.”
Là người trực tiếp tham gia phát triển công nghệ cho quá trình ghi âm này, ông Trần Lê Quốc Sơn (Sơn Trần) CIO – Phó Tổng Giám đốc Công nghệ của Prudential Việt Nam cho biết: “Ghi âm quá trình tư vấn đảm bảo sự kiểm tra độc lập trong quá trình tư vấn và tính minh bạch cho khách hàng, Luật kinh doanh bảo hiểm mới với những quy định đòi hỏi các doanh nghiệp bảo hiểm phải đưa việc chuyển đổi số vào thực tiễn. Chúng tôi hợp tác với những công ty công nghệ hàng đầu để đảm bảo ứng dụng được những công nghệ tiên tiến nhất, nhằm đảm bảo vận hành quy trình bán hàng một cách tốt nhất.”
Ông Sơn Trần – Phó Tổng Giám đốc Công nghệ của Prudential Việt Nam cho biết Prudential phát triển hệ thống ghi âm cùng những big tech hàng đầu.
Không chỉ giúp khách hàng lấy lại niềm tin với ngành bảo hiểm, mà còn giải quyết được các khúc mắc trước đây hay gặp phải đó là thiếu cơ sở đánh giá chất lượng tư vấn khi nhận được phản ánh của khách hàng về việc bị tư vấn sai sản phẩm… Trong khi phía đại lý cũng khẳng định là đã tư vấn đúng, cung cấp đầy đủ thông tin sản phẩm. Nay, quy định ghi âm bắt buộc này sẽ là bằng chứng quan trọng để xác thực, là cơ sở giải quyết những vướng mắc kể trên, mang lại những đánh giá tích cực cho thị trường.
“Cả 3 bên bao gồm DN bảo hiểm, tư vấn viên/đại lý và khách hàng đều sẽ nhận được lợi ích lâu dài. Mọi thông tin được tư vấn là chính xác và minh bạch, giúp khách hàng hiểu rõ về sản phẩm, các quyền lợi của mình, từ đó nâng cao trải nghiệm của khách hàng, ngăn ngừa các sai phạm trong quá trình tư vấn, giảm thiểu các tranh chấp với công ty bảo hiểm sau này”, ông Ngô Trung Dũng khẳng định.
At the 2024 World Travel Awards ceremony held in Madeira, Portugal, two tourist destinations in Quang Nam province, Hoiana Resort & Golf and Hoi An Memories Island, received prestigious accolades.
Hoiana Resort & Golf was awarded the title of “World’s Leading Integrated Resort,” while Hoi An Memories Island was recognized as the “World’s Leading Cultural and Entertainment Destination” for the third consecutive year. Previously, Hoi An Memories Island won the title of “World’s Leading Entertainment Destination 2022” and “World’s Leading Cultural and Entertainment Destination 2023”.
A scene from the live art show “Hoi An Memories”.
Located in Duy Xuyen district, approximately 10 km from Hoi An Ancient Town, Hoiana Resort & Golf is a large complex featuring a 4-km coastline, over 1,200 rooms spread across four 5-star hotels, 20 restaurants and bars, and an international- standard golf course.
Situated between the Hoai River and the Hoi An Ancient Town, Hoi An Memories Island spans over 10 hectares and is divided into three main sections: the Hoi An Memories Live Show, the Hoi An Impression Theme Park, and the Hoi An Memories Resort & Spa. Its highlight is the live show, Hoi An Memories, which recreates 400 years of Hoi An’s history and culture.
The awards ceremony in Portugal on November 24 marks the conclusion of the 2024 World Travel Awards gala series. Earlier, the Asia and Oceania regional awards ceremony took place on September 3 in Manila, Philippines.
This year, Vietnam also achieved notable awards, including being named “Asia’s Leading Destination,” “Asia’s Leading Heritage Destination,” and “Asia’s Leading Nature Destination.” These awards not only celebrate the appeal of Vietnamese tourism but also help promote the country’s image to the international community.
Recently, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Saigontourist Group and Genesis Group signed a memorandum of cooperation during the visit of a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation led by General Secretary To Lam.
The partnership focuses on market expansion, tourism development, hospitality, cuisine, education, and event organization, aiming to promote the “Two Countries – One Destination” concept. This collaboration is expected to act as a catalyst for the tourism industry, creating attractive products, driving economic growth, and enhancing cultural exchange.
Many Malaysian tourists come to Vietnam through Saigontourist Group’s cruise tours.
Mr. Pham Huy Binh, Chairman of Saigontourist Group, emphasized that the agreement comes amidst strengthening Vietnam-Malaysia relations and reflects a commitment to advancing tourism cooperation and promoting Vietnam to the world. “We expect this collaboration to generate new opportunities for developing tourism products, improve service quality, attract more visitors to Vietnam and Malaysia, and contribute to the socio-economic development of both nations,” he stated.
Ms. Ta Mui Hay, Chairwoman of Genesis Group, expressed optimism that the partnership between Saigontourist Group and Genesis Group will foster two-way tourism growth between Malaysia and Vietnam while promoting the friendly and vibrant image of both countries to international visitors and communities.
Malaysia and Southeast Asia are key international markets for Saigontourist Group, accounting for hundreds of thousands of visitors annually and generating revenue in the trillions of Vietnamese dong. Notably, the number of Muslim tourists from Malaysia and the region has been on the rise. Conversely, Saigontourist Travel Service Company has facilitated tens of thousands of Vietnamese tourists visiting Malaysia through single-country or multi-country Southeast Asia tours.
Vietnam has been named Asia’s Best Golf Destination 2024 for the 11th time by the World Golf Awards. This also marks the eighth consecutive year Vietnam has received this prestigious recognition.
A corner of Laguna Lang Co golf course. Photo: TL
According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism’s Information Center, Vietnam surpasses other strong contenders such as Japan, China, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand to claim the title. Additionally, at the awards ceremony, Hanoi was honored as the World’s Best Golf City Destination 2024.
The awards are the result of a year-long search for the world’s most popular golf tourism brands. The voting process involves golf industry experts, media professionals, and the public, with winners determined by receiving the highest number of votes in each category.
Vietnam is considered as an ideal golf destination in Asia, thanks to its stunning natural landscapes and tropical climate, which provides favorable conditions for developing golf courses and promoting golf tourism.
According to preliminary statistics, Vietnam boasts around 100 operational 18-hole golf courses and practice facilities, with 32 of them meeting 5-star international standards, often integrated with luxury resorts. The development of golf tourism infrastructure and products is a key focus within Vietnam’s Tourism Development Strategy through 2030, approved by the Prime Minister.
To date, Vietnam has been recognized eight times as Asia’s Best Golf Destination and twice as the World’s Best Golf Destination. These awards affirm Vietnam’s reputation and appeal on the global golf tourism map.
Interprovincial bus stations in Ho Chi Minh City report that passenger traffic during the 2025 Lunar New Year is only slightly higher than last year. To offset costs on days with lower ridership, ticket prices will increase by 40-60% compared to regular days.
Mien Tay Bus Station is expected to welcome about 760,000 passengers during this year’s Lunar New Year. Photo: Le Vu
For the 2025 Lunar New Year, the three major bus stations in HCMC — Western Bus Station, Eastern Bus Station, and the New Eastern Bus Station — have planned for a 20-day peak service period from January 19 to February 7, 2025.
To meet the travel demand of residents returning to the Mekong Delta provinces, Western Bus Station has prepared to handle 33,650 bus trips and 760,000 passengers, an increase of about 5% compared to last year and nearly 40% compared to normal days.
During peak days, the station will collaborate with transport operators to expand ticket sales channels. Ticket counters will extend their service hours, and passengers can book tickets in advance through multiple methods to ensure all travel needs are met.
The Western Bus Station has requested that the HCMC Department of Transport and transport departments in provinces such as Tien Giang, Ben Tre, Vinh Long, and Dong Nai issue directives to relevant authorities. These measures include traffic routing, enhancing public transport services, and ensuring smooth traffic flow.
Eastern Bus Station forecasts that passenger traffic during this year’s Lunar New Year will be similar to last year, with a slight increase of about 1%, reaching approximately 181,000 passengers and 9,300 bus trips. Most passengers will travel in the 10 days leading up to the Lunar New Year, with peak days on the 26th and 27th of the lunar calendar, each accommodating about 19,000 passengers.
To protect passenger rights, the Eastern Bus Station has issued guidelines on ticket price adjustments. Transport operators are allowed to raise ticket prices by a maximum of 40% or 60%, depending on the route and timing. For additional buses deployed during the holiday period, ticket prices will be flexibly adjusted to meet market demand.
Meanwhile, the New Eastern Bus Station expects fewer passengers than the old Eastern Bus Station. specifically, the new station plans to serve about 138,000 passengers, a slight 3% increase from last year. Passenger traffic will concentrate in the days leading up to the Lunar New Year, with peak days accommodating around 11,300–13,000 passengers.
According to the New Eastern Bus Station Management Board, its operations face significant challenges due to unauthorized bus stops, illegal “ghost” buses, and incomplete infrastructure. To address these issues, the station has proposed several solutions, including ticket price adjustments, advance ticket sales, and additional transport services for passengers.
Airlines are rushing to lease additional aircraft to meet the travel demand during the upcoming peak period.
The aviation industry is preparing for the peak season of Tet At Ty 2025. Photo: Diep Anh.
The Vietnam Airlines Group, including Vietnam Airlines, Pacific Airlines, and VASCO, announced plans to provide more than 650,000 extra seats, equivalent to over 3,000 additional flights, on domestic routes in Vietnam from January 13, 2025, to February 12, 2025 (the 15th day of the 12th lunar month to the 15th day of the first lunar month).
This increase will bring the total number of seats across the Vietnam Airlines Group’s domestic network to over 2.15 million, corresponding to more than 11,000 flights.
The additional flights will mainly focus on high-demand routes during the Lunar New Year, such as those between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, and Vinh; and between Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, Hai Phong, Hue, Thanh Hoa, Quy Nhon, Pleiku, Chu Lai, Dong Hoi, and Vinh.
To accommodate the surge, Vietnam Airlines Group has planned to lease four additional Airbus A320/A321 aircraft, including two wet-leased planes (with crew). Each aircraft is expected to operate approximately 180 flights during this period.
The group noted that many flights during the Lunar New Year already have a booking rate of 70–80%, especially on routes from Ho Chi Minh City to northern and central provinces such as Thanh Hoa, Quy Nhon, Chu Lai, and Dong Hoi. Passenger volume is expected to grow further in the coming month.
Previously, Vietravel Airlines reported that it had sold over 55% of its available seats for the peak travel period of Lunar New Year 2025 (January 14–February 12, 2025). Popular routes include Ho Chi Minh City to Quy Nhon, Da Nang, and Hanoi.
“The pace of ticket purchases for Lunar New Year 2025 has been slower than in previous years, likely due to economic challenges and customers delaying purchases in hopes of price drops,” a representative from Vietravel Airlines explained.
However, the airline anticipates high travel demand for Lunar New Year 2025, with last-minute bookings expected to increase significantly, partly due to the extended 9-day holiday period for workers. Vietravel Airlines plans to add capacity on routes such as Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang to meet the increased demand.
Similarly, a representative from Bamboo Airways stated that the airline is actively selling tickets for the Lunar New Year period and working to resume certain routes to accommodate the surge in travel. Additionally, Bamboo Airways is collaborating with partners to bring in new aircraft before the Lunar New Year 2025.
