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Many Lunar New Year Train Routes Sold Out

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After a month of Lunar New Year train ticket sales, approximately 100,000 tickets have been sold, and there are now very few tickets left for trains on December 24-26 of the lunar calendar.

The railway industry has sold about 100,000 Tet train tickets after just over a month of opening for sale. Photo: Y Kien.

At a press briefing on Ho Chi Minh City’s socio-economic situation held on November 7, Thai Van Truyen, Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Railway Corporation, stated that around 100,000 Lunar New Year train tickets have been sold in just over a month.

“There are currently very few seats left for trains on December 24-26 of the lunar calendar. We are also considering adding extra train cars if demand continues to increase,” Mr. Truyen emphasized.

According to the corporation, about 16,000 tickets remain for departures before January 22 and from January 26 to January 28, 2025 (equivalent to before December 23 and from December 27-29 of the lunar calendar) for routes from Saigon, Di An, and Bien Flowers to Nha Trang and Hanoi.

For the peak travel days from January 23 to January 25, 2025 (December 24 to 26 on the lunar calendar), only tickets to Phan Thiet and Nha Trang stations are still available in larger quantities.

After Lunar New Year, from January 29 to February 16, 2025 (from the 1st to the 19th of the first lunar month), tickets are still available for all dates and stations.

Mr. Truyen stated that during peak periods, passenger volumes surged significantly, so the company will work closely with local authorities to ensure public safety and prevent scalping.

Additionally, during the operation of Lunar New Year trains, the company will coordinate with the HCMC Department of Transport and police to manage traffic flow, avoid congestion at key stations. Security will also be strengthened on trains to ensure passenger safety and prevent smuggling, such as illegal fireworks.

The company will also run short-distance trains during the holiday to facilitate travel for those celebrating the Lunar New Year.

To protect passenger rights, the railway sector advises purchasing tickets through official channels, such as the railway website, ticket offices, stations, authorized agents, or through e-wallet applications like Momo, VnPay, ZaloPay, ViettelPay, and the ticket hotline.

Passengers should bring their e-tickets or paper tickets along with original identification documents when traveling. Children must have a birth certificate, and those eligible for discounts must present proof, such as a student ID, war veteran card, or union membership card.

@Znews

62% of Vietnamese Gen Z Prefer Off-Season Travel

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Gen Z travelers are redefining the travel experience. Booking.com reveals insights into the preferences and habits of this tech-savvy generation.

Gen Z tends to use technology to plan their travel. Photo: Linh Huynh.

The latest survey by Booking.com shows that Gen Z is using technology to enhance their travel experience—from using AI to plan trips, seeking out tech-based amenities and services at accommodations, to preserving memories after their journeys.

Specifically:

51% of Vietnamese Gen Z travelers surveyed said they feel very comfortable relying on technology to create unforgettable travel experiences.
50% trust artificial intelligence (AI) to recommend lesser-known, less crowded destinations.
67% will use AI-powered travel planning tools to organize their itineraries.
57% show interest in tech-based amenities and modern tech services like robot assistance or AI-powered check-in points at their accommodations.
43% revisit photos taken during trips to recapture the relaxation and comfort they felt while vacationing.

Gen Z wants to save on travel costs but still want to have a unique experience on the trip. Photo: Linh Huynh.

According to Mr. Varun Grover, Country Director of Booking.com Vietnam, the preferences of Vietnam’s Gen Z offer an interesting perspective on the future of travel, where technology, values, and connections intertwine.

“For this generation, travel is not just about exploring new places but also expressing their unique identity, aided by AI and digital tools that enhance personalized experiences. While seeking authentic experiences and balancing personal exploration with family connections or unique values, Gen Z is shaping a more individualized and vibrant travel landscape than ever before,” said Mr. Grover.

However, beyond technology, close relationships also play a significant role in how Vietnamese Gen Z choose their travel destinations and experience each journey.

Gen Z in the world in general and Vietnam in particular like to “hunt” for discount codes for their trips. Photo: Linh Huynh.

This young generation values travel as a way to deepen personal relationships. Social media and online friend networks help influence their travel decisions.

64% of Gen Z respondents in Vietnam said they tend to travel with family members, 58% with parents, and 44% with spouses.
71% are inspired to travel by information shared by friends or family on social media.
56% consult friends and family for ideas and inspiration for their trips.
Vietnamese Gen Z is unafraid to travel solo, with 52% reporting that they had traveled alone in the past six months, and 72% planning solo trips in the coming 12 months.

Additionally, Gen Z is highly mindful of budgeting. Young travelers often travel off-peak to save costs and seek unique, one-of-a-kind experiences.

In 2024, 62% of Vietnamese Gen Z travelers surveyed shared that they tend to choose short domestic trips lasting 1 to 4 nights. 52% agree that “value for money” is a crucial factor when selecting a destination.

For financial considerations, 62% choose off-peak travel to save costs.
63% “hunt” for discount codes from loyalty programs to optimize their spending as much as possible.
When considering their 2024 travel budget, 69% are interested in destinations offering unique experiences like skydiving or hot-air ballooning.

@Znews

Is $90K Bitcoin’s Next Big Test? Trendline Analysis Reveals Insights Amid SOL/BTC Breakout: Godbole

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Trendline drawn off BTC’s April and November 2021 highs signals resistance at around $90,000.

After months of struggle, bitcoin (BTC) bulls have finally managed to chew through the breakout level of $70,000 this week, setting new record highs above $76,000.

With BTC in a price discovery mode on pro-crypto Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the most pressing question for traders is: What’s the next resistance level that could challenge the bulls?

One of the straightforward ways to identify such a level is to examine the price chart. For instance, by drawing a trendline off the April 2021 peak of $64,898 and the November 2021 high of around $69,000 and extending it forward, we can see that the resistance lies around $90,000.

Trendlines are a staple in technical analysis, helping traders identify the broader trend and potential support and resistance levels. In bitcoin’s case, the upward-sloping trendline drawn from previous peaks can act as a target for potential sell orders or profit-taking, becoming a speculative resistance. Convergence of traders’ actions could slow the ascent if and when the price nears $90,000.

The latest move above $70,000, representing the unspooling of the prolonged consolidative pattern, indicates that the broader uptrend from the October 2023 lows has resumed.

The breakout and a renewed positive flip in the MACD histogram, implying a strengthening of bullish momentum, suggest that the resistance at $90,000 could be tested soon.

A move below the weekly low of $66,824 would invalidate the bullish technical outlook.

Note that the activity in the options market suggests potential resistance at $80,000 and $100,000.

SOL/BTC breakout

Hopes for regulatory relief under Trump’s presidency have led to bigger gains in alternative cryptocurrencies such as Solana’s SOL token.

Particularly noteworthy is SOL’s BTC-denominated price (SOL/BTC), which has risen nearly 11% this week, hinting at a potential bullish resolution to months of tedious rangebound activity.

A breakout from the triangular consolidation, represented by converging trendlines, would mean bulls are finally willing to lead the price action and open doors for a move toward 2021 highs. The weekly candle must close Sunday (UTC) above the upper trendline to confirm the breakout.

Bitcoin ETFs See Record $1.3B Inflows on Trump Win, Fed Rate Cuts

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BlackRock’s IBIT accounted for most of the inflows at $1.1 billion, with zero net outflows from any product.

Bitcoin (BTC) exchange-traded funds (ETFs) listed in the U.S. logged a record $1.38 billion in net inflows on Thursday, a day after Republican Donald Trump won the U.S. presidency.

BlackRock’s IBIT took on over $1.1 billion in net inflows, the most among all products, and its highest-ever since going live in January. Cumulative net inflows across all products crossed $25 billion for the first time. None of the twelve ETFs showed any net outflows.

Ether (ETH) ETFs logged $78 million in net inflows on renewed bullishness for the decentralized finance (DeFi) space following Trump’s victory. ETH rose more than 10% on Thursday as expectations of pro-crypto policies and deregulation in a Trump regime boosted investor confidence in the asset.

BTC trades above $76,000 in Asian morning hours Friday, up nearly 10% over the past week. In line with analyst expectations, the Federal Reserve cut rates by 25 basis points on Thursday in a move that typically supports risk assets like bitcoin by increasing liquidity and weakening the dollar.

Woman Nearly Got Scammed Out of 19 Billion VND in Fake Meteorite Deal

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The suspects—Trần Anh Thiện (56), Nguyễn Văn Tâm (50), Nguyễn Văn Đức (39), and Lê Thanh Phong (27)—were caught red-handed at a coffee shop in Vị Thanh City on November 5. They were in the process of finalizing a deal with a woman from Hanoi, claiming to sell a meteorite for a large sum.

The group had fabricated the existence of a meteorite and, knowing that the victim was looking to purchase one, arranged a meeting to sign an agreement. The contract stipulated that the sale would take place on November 6 in Bạc Liêu City. If the seller failed to provide the meteorite or it was of inferior quality, they would return 1 billion VND (about 40,000 USD) to the buyer. However, if the buyer refused the purchase or didn’t pay the full amount, she would lose 200 million VND (about 8,000 USD).

The suspects used fake names during negotiations and agreements. After further investigation, police discovered that this group may be involved in similar scams in other regions. Authorities have temporarily detained the suspects for an investigation into their fraudulent activities.

Two Foreigners Deported from Vietnam for Vandalism in Ho Chi Minh City

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On November 6, Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1 Police fined and, in collaboration with the Immigration Department, issued deportation orders for Portron Malo Pierre Bernard, 36, and Da Cruz Kevin, 33. The two were apprehended on October 2 at 11:40 p.m. while spray-painting graffiti on a structure on Nguyen Trai Street, Ben Thanh Ward. Officers seized approximately 20 spray paint cans and brushes from the men, who, at the time of the incident, failed to present their passports and were taken to Ben Thanh Police Station for questioning.

The men admitted to entering Vietnam together, purchasing spray paint and brushes, and planned to create graffiti on public areas, including parks, roll-down shutters, and metal fences. Following directives from city police leadership, District 1 authorities enforced strict measures as a deterrent.

As a result, each individual was fined VND 12.9 million (around $520 USD) for “foreigners traveling in Vietnam without carrying passports” and for “engaging in activities in Vietnam without authorized permission.” They were also ordered to repaint the defaced building wall.

Previously, in July, District 1 Police deported two men—one from New Zealand and another from France—found spray-painting a building’s roll-down shutters on Pho Duc Chinh Street.

Fuel Prices Today, November 7, 2024: Domestic and International Trends Diverge

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World crude oil prices fell slightly after the US presidential election. Domestically, this afternoon (November 7) is the time for price adjustment, and domestic gasoline prices are forecast to increase by about 300 – 800 VND/liter.

On November 7, Brent crude oil price decreased by 61 cents, equivalent to 0.81%, to 74.92 USD/barrel. WTI crude oil price decreased by 30 cents, equivalent to 0.42%, to 71.69 USD/barrel.

The U.S. presidential election and the early vote count in particular triggered a sell-off that sent oil prices down more than $2 a session as the dollar strengthened, Reuters reported. A stronger dollar means dollar-denominated commodities like oil become more expensive for holders of other currencies, putting pressure on prices.

Analysts say that any initial excitement and enthusiasm for selling has faded. In the short term, oil prices are more likely to rise than fall. Oil prices are currently trading in a narrow range as investors have shifted their attention to near-term demand and supply.

However, the conflict in the Middle East is still limiting the decline in oil prices today. The re-election of former President Donald Trump is expected to bring many changes in foreign policy. Sanctions on Iran and Venezuela may be extended. This means that crude oil supplies from the two countries will have difficulty entering the market, pushing oil prices to maintain high levels.

Domestically, updated to this morning, November 7, some key traders forecast that domestic gasoline prices in the price adjustment period this afternoon may increase following the world’s upward trend last week. Accordingly, gasoline prices are estimated to increase from 350 – 370 VND/liter, diesel prices increase from 460 – 770 VND/liter, except for fuel oil, which decreased slightly by less than 100 VND/kg.

Since the beginning of the year, domestic gasoline prices have undergone 43 adjustment sessions, including 21 decrease sessions, 17 increase sessions and 6 uneven sessions.

Gold price today 11/7/2024: ‘Evaporated’ 2 million VND overnight

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World gold prices plummeted, causing SJC gold bars to lose 2 million VND per tael after Donald Trump’s victory.

World gold prices plummeted after Donald Trump was re-elected as US President. At the beginning of November 7, gold prices were trading around $2,662/ounce, down $62 compared to the end of yesterday and down a total of more than $82 after one day. Even in the session of November 6 (closing at dawn on November 7, Vietnam time), gold prices dropped to $2,659/ounce. Equivalently converted, world gold is currently at VND81.7 million/tael (excluding taxes and fees).

In Vietnam, the price of SJC gold bars decreased by VND2 million in buying price and VND1.5 million in selling price. Specifically, Saigon Jewelry Company – SJC bought VND85 million/tael, sold VND87.5 million. Similarly, SJC bought 4-number-9 gold rings for VND84.4 million/tael, sold VND86.2 million, down VND2 million in buying price and down VND1.7 million in selling price. Doji Group bought VND85.1 million, sold VND86.5 million, down VND2.2 million in buying price and down VND1.9 million in selling price…

Gold prices fell to their lowest in more than three weeks as the dollar held firm, Reuters reported. Investors are closely watching the US Federal Reserve’s policy meeting, which ends today. The market is expecting the Fed to announce a 25 basis point interest rate cut after cutting 0.5 basis points in September. If there are signs that another rate cut is likely in December, gold prices could hold steady and even rise, said Zain Vawda, a market analyst at OANDA’s MarketPulse.

Company Stocks Soar After Đặng Thành Tâm’s Handshake with Trump

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(Dan Tri) – After announcing its cooperation with the Trump Organization, Kinh Bac continues to benefit from the plan to disburse 80 million USD from Foxconn. KBC shares and many real estate codes increased sharply this morning.

The market recovered this morning (November 6), VN-Index easily regained the 1,250 point threshold. However, liquidity is still very low, cash flow is cautious.

VN-Index temporarily closed the morning session up 8.93 points, equivalent to 0.72%, to 1,254.69 points. HNX-Index increased 1.66 points, equivalent to 0.74%; UPCoM-Index increased 0.27 points, equivalent to 0.3%.

The liquidity of the entire HoSE floor this morning only reached 216.13 million shares, equivalent to VND5,579.25 billion. This figure on the HNX was 17.53 million units, equivalent to VND445.73 billion, and on the UPCoM market was 12.65 million shares, equivalent to VND191.4 billion.

Statistics show that there are still 801 codes with no transactions until the end of the morning. Market breadth is tilted towards the increasing codes. There are 465 codes increasing in price, 15 codes hitting the ceiling compared to 196 codes decreasing, 7 codes hitting the floor.

KBC attracted attention this morning when it increased sharply in price with the highest liquidity in the market. KBC’s matching orders reached 12.4 million shares, the only code with matching orders above 10 million units. This code increased 5.7% to 28,550 VND.

KBC’s liquidity this morning far exceeded the average level over the past month of 3.7 million units per session.

The sharp increase in price and liquidity at KBC came after Shunsin Vietnam Technology Co., Ltd. – a member of Foxconn – reported to the Ministry of Planning and Investment about its plan to disburse up to 80 million USD to invest in a chip factory project in Bac Giang.

If approved by the authorities, this factory will be built in Quang Chau Industrial Park (Bac Giang) with an area of 44,343.8 m2, on land leased from Saigon – Bac Giang Industrial Park Joint Stock Company, a subsidiary of Kinh Bac Urban Development Corporation.

Previously, in early October, Hung Yen Hotel Services Joint Stock Company, a subsidiary of Kinh Bac Urban Development Corporation, also announced a strategic cooperation with the Trump Group.

The official announcement of the enterprise also said that the People’s Committee of Hung Yen province signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the consortium of investors selected by the Trump Organization, including Hung Yen Development Group and two US investment funds, IDG and Horitus, to build a complex of two 54-hole golf courses along with high-end resorts and hotels with a total investment of about 1.5 billion USD.

Hung Yen Development Group is a subsidiary of Kinh Bac Urban Development Corporation, a company chaired by Mr. Dang Thanh Tam. As of June 30, Kinh Bac Urban Area holds 95% of the voting shares of Hung Yen Development Group.

In addition to KBC, many other real estate codes also increased sharply in this morning’s session. SZC, SIP, LDG, VSI had a time when they hit the ceiling before decreasing their height. SZC increased by 6.1%; SIP increased by 5.8%; LDG increased by 4.9%; TIP increased by 4.6%; LHG increased by 4.1%; VSI increased by 4%.

After adjusting yesterday, Quoc Cuong Gia Lai’s QCG shares regained their upward momentum, increasing 3.1% to VND13,200. Other stocks in the same industry such as D2D increased 3%; IJC increased 2.7%; PTL increased 2.2%; BCM increased 2.1%.

Construction and materials stocks also improved. DXV hit the ceiling, VGC increased by 4.5%; NAV increased by 3.9%; CRC increased by 3.1%.

Most bank stocks increased in price, however, the increase was not really drastic. TCB increased the most, with an amplitude of 1.7%; MSB increased by 1.3%, the rest increased by less than 1%.

Vietnam welcomed 14 million international visitors in 10 months

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In October, Vietnam welcomed 1.42 million foreign visitors, marking a 27.6% year-on-year increase and bringing the total number of international arrivals for 2024 to 14.1 million. However, this figure remains at half of neighboring Thailand’s total.

South Korea led as the top source of tourists to Vietnam in the first 10 months, contributing 3.73 million visitors. Mainland China followed with 3.01 million arrivals, Taiwan with 1.06 million, the United States with 636,000, and Japan with 584,908, as reported by the General Statistics Office. Rounding out the top 10 were Australia (395,695), India (394,509), Malaysia (392,449), Cambodia (365,757), and Thailand (339,763).

To reach its target of 18 million international arrivals, Vietnam needs an additional 3.9 million foreign visitors by year-end, a goal aligned with pre-COVID-19 levels. This push coincides with the country’s peak tourism season, which spans from October to April, during which Vietnam expects numerous cruise ships to bring thousands of international tourists to its shores.

Meanwhile, Thailand has already welcomed over 29.08 million foreign tourists this year, generating substantial revenue of 1.358 trillion baht (approximately US$40.14 billion), underscoring its position as a leading Southeast Asian travel destination.

Chương trình quảng bá sản phẩm văn hóa truyền thống Hàn Quốc ra nước ngoài năm 2024 “THAT’S KOREA” : Văn hóa truyền thống Hàn Quốc len vào cuộc sống thường nhật của Việt Nam

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‘Chương trình quảng bá sản phẩm văn hóa truyền thống Hàn Quốc ra nước ngoài năm 2024 <THAT’S KOREA: Tradition Shaping Today’s Daily Life> đã được tổ chức một cách thành công tại Việt Nam.

Từ ngày 25/10 đến 3/11, Bộ Văn hóa, Thể thao và Du lịch Hàn Quốc đã tổ chức chương trình <THAT’S KOREA: Tradition Shaping Today’s Daily Life> tại Hà Nội và Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh nhằm hỗ trợ cho các doanh nghiệp khởi nghiệp trong lĩnh vực văn hóa truyền thống Hàn Quốc thuộc dự án ‘Khởi nghiệp truyền thống ngày nay’.

Trong khuôn khổ chương trình, Triển lãm sản phẩm văn hóa truyền thống Hàn Quốc cùng nhiều hoạt động trải nghiệm kết hợp từ truyền thống đến hiện đại đã được diễn ra và nhận được sự đón nhận tích cực từ người dân Việt Nam.

Triển lãm văn hóa truyền thống Hàn Quốc diễn ra tại Tổ hợp Complex 01 ở Hà Nội đã giới thiệu 110 sản phẩm kết hợp giữa truyền thống và hiện đại đến từ 22 doanh nghiệp khởi nghiệp Hàn Quốc, thu hút sự quan tâm lớn từ khách tham quan Việt Nam.

Đặc biệt, ngày 25 tháng 10 đã diễn ra Lễ khai mạc cùng chương trình kết nối doanh nghiệp (B2B) với sự tham gia của đại diện đến từ 9 doanh nghiệp ‘Khởi nghiệp truyền thống ngày nay’ như OUWR, Komok, WEDNSY, Sawoo, Onn by soi v.v. nhằm quảng bá thương hiệu và sản phẩm, cũng như thảo luận về khả năng hợp tác với các doanh nghiệp Việt Nam trong tương lai. Thể hiện sự quan tâm lớn đến các sản phẩm văn hóa truyền thống Hàn Quốc, 38 doanh nghiệp hoạt động trong nhiều lĩnh vực như thời trang, thủ công, đồ nội thất và đồ gia dụng không những tại Hà Nội mà còn tại Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh đã ghé thăm chương trình, đồng thời tích cực tham gia tư vấn mở rộng thị trường các sản phẩm văn hóa truyền thống Hàn Quốc tại Việt Nam. Vào ngày 31 tháng 10 và 1 tháng 11, chương trình trải nghiệm văn hóa thưởng trà và âm nhạc truyền thống Hàn Quốc đã diễn ra với sự tham gia của các Tùy viên và phu nhân Tùy viên quân sự của Đại sứ quán các nước tại Việt Nam và người dân Việt Nam yêu thích văn hóa Hàn Quốc. Chương trình đã mang đến cơ hội ý nghĩa giúp người dân hai nước giao lưu và trải nghiệm văn hóa của nhau thông qua văn hóa thưởng trà.

Trong suốt thời gian diễn ra chương trình tại Hà Nội, các hoạt động trải nghiệm văn hóa truyền thống đa dạng khác như trải nghiệm thủ công khảm xà cừ tại HORAY Pearl Prints Shop’, trải nghiệm trò chơi truyền thống tại Woorinori, trải nghiệm mặc Hanbok, làm đế đựng chén trà từ giấy Hanji Hàn Quốc v.v. đã mang đến cho khán giả cơ hội tiếp xúc trực tiếp với văn hóa truyền thống Hàn Quốc. Triển lãm kéo dài 10 ngày với nhiều hoạt động phong phú như đóng dấu phiếu nhiệm vụ, trải nghiệm chụp hình tại photo booth cũng đã đem lại những giây phút trải nghiệm vui vẻ cho khách tham quan. Bạn Thái – khách tham quan tìm đến Triển lãm do yêu thích văn hóa Hàn Quốc như văn hóa K-pop cho biết: “Mình đã tham gia trải nghiệm khảm xà cừ của triển lãm lần này và rất thích thú với vẻ đẹp của nghệ thuật chạm khắc. Thông qua đây, mình càng thấy yêu thích văn hóa truyền thống Hàn Quốc hơn”.

Trong khi đó, tại Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh, từ ngày 26 đến 27/10, trong khuôn khổ sự kiện ‘Ngày hội Văn hóa Hữu nghị Việt – Hàn 2024’, buổi trình diễn thời trang giới thiệu trang phục truyền thống của Hàn Quốc và Việt Nam đã diễn ra thành công cùng hoạt động thu hút khách tham quan tại gian hàng quảng bá Hanbok. Dù thời tiết nóng bức, nhưng nhiều người dân TP.Hồ Chí Minh đã đến tham gia ngay từ ngày đầu tiên của sự kiện và thể hiện sự hào hứng khi tham gia các hoạt động trải nghiệm.

Trang phục Hanbok với màu sắc đa dạng và sự thanh lịch đặc trưng đã thú hút sự chú ý của nhiều khách tham quan tại TP. Hồ Chí Minh. Đông đảo người dân đã thể hiện sự quan tâm lớn đến văn hóa Hàn Quốc thông qua việc nhiệt tình tham gia vào các gian hàng như ăn thử đồ ăn truyền thống và trải nghiệm các trò chơi dân gian Hàn Quốc v.v.

Bạn Yến – khách đến tham gia trải nghiệm dù trời mưa vào ngày thứ hai của sự kiện cho biết: “Đây là khoảng thời gian trải nghiệm đầy tuyệt vời. Mình hy vọng sự kiện này sẽ tiếp tục được tổ chức định kỳ trong tương lai”. Các cơ quan truyền thông của Việt Nam như HTV và VTV cũng đã đưa tin về sự kiện, cho thấy sự quan tâm cao của các cơ quan báo chí Việt Nam về sự kiện lần này.

Chương trình <THAT’S KOREA: Tradition Shaping Today’s Daily Life> được tổ chức thành công cho thấy sức hấp dẫn của các sản phẩm văn hóa truyền thống Hàn Quốc tại Việt Nam, mở ra tín hiệu tích cực trong việc xúc tiến mở rộng ra thị trường nước ngoài đối với các doanh nghiệp khởi nghiệp trong lĩnh vực văn hóa truyền thống. Ông Lee Hae Don, Cục trưởng Cục Chính sách Văn hóa, Bộ Văn hóa, Thể thao và Du lịch Hàn Quốc cho biết: “Hy vọng rằng thông qua chương trình lần này văn hóa truyền thống Hàn Quốc sẽ ngày càng gần gũi hơn với thị trường Việt Nam, các doanh nghiệp khởi nghiệp về văn hóa truyền thống Hàn Quốc sẽ có cơ hội giao lưu với các doanh nghiệp tại Việt Nam, từ đó đẩy mạnh hoạt động xúc tiến sản phẩm văn hóa truyền thống Hàn Quốc ra nước ngoài.”

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Live Science Stunned by Son Doong Cave

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“Vietnam’s Son Doong Cave is so vast that you could fit 15 Great Pyramids of Giza inside and fly a Boeing 747 through some of its passages”.

Back door of Hang En Cave. Photo: Linh Huynh.

This is the observation made by Live Science, a science, archeology, and natural world publication based in New York, on November 1. Sascha Pare, a writer with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Southampton (one of the top research institutions in the UK), noted that Son Doong Cave is relatively young compared to other limestone caves.

“The cave was formed between 2-3 million years ago, containing the largest limestone structure in Asia, a massive rock over 400 million years old, created from the shells and skeletons of ancient marine life,” reported Live Science.

According to Sascha, the cave’s underground water system originates from the Rao Thuong and Khe Ry rivers near the Laos border. Water flows through cracks in the limestone, eroding the rock to form a colossal tunnel within the mountain.

Garden of Eden in sinkhole 2, Son Doong cave complex. Photo: Linh Huynh.

This is the largest natural cave ever recorded. Measurements by a team from the British Cave Research Association indicate that the cave has a total volume of 38.5 million cubic meters, large enough to hold nearly 15 Great Pyramids of Giza.

But recent research has revealed that the cave is even larger.

A diving expedition in 2019 uncovered that Son Doong is connected to another cave called Hang Thung through an underwater tunnel. This link adds an additional 1.6 million cubic meters to the cave’s volume, equivalent to two-thirds of a Great Pyramid.

“It’s like someone found a bump on the top of Mount Everest, making it over 1,000 meters taller. Any other cave in the world would be dwarfed inside Son Doong,” said Limbert from the British Cave Research Association.

@Znews

Quan Thanh Temple in Hanoi Temporarily Closes to Visitors

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All visitor activities at Quan Thanh Temple will be temporarily suspended from November 6 to December 5 to facilitate restoration and conservation work.

Quan Thanh Temple is located on the corner of the old Co Ngu Street, now Thanh Nien Street, Quan Thanh Ward, Ba Dinh District. This is one of the “Thang Long Tu Tran” – the northern town of the ancient Thang Long citadel. Photo: Vuong Loc

Previously, on July 25, construction work began on the restoration of the Special National Heritage Sites Quan Thanh Temple and Voi Phuc Temple. During the construction, limited site access at the heritage locations has hindered the restoration of approved components, creating inconvenience for visitors seeking to tour or religious conduct practices at these sites.

Therefore, to ensure visitor safety and maintain the progress and quality of the restoration of artifacts and sacred statues, the site management board has decided to temporarily close the site, halting all visitation and religious activities.

Quan Thanh Temple is located across from West Lake, at the intersection of Thanh Nien and Quan Thanh Streets, in Ba Dinh District, Hanoi. Alongside Bach Ma Temple, Kim Lien Temple, and Voi Phuc Temple, this temple is a famous spiritual destination in Hanoi, attracting a large number of local and international visitors for sightseeing and worship.

@SGtiepthi

Vietnam Welcomes Over 14 Million International Visitors in 10 Months

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In the first ten months of 2024, Vietnam received more than 14.1 million international visitors, a 41% increase compared to the same period last year. In October 2024 alone, Vietnam welcomed 1.42 million international visitors.

International visitors in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: DNCC

According to the Tourism Information Center under the National Tourism Administration, the Asian market contributed nearly 80% of Vietnam’s total international arrivals. Notably, four Northeast Asian markets—China, South Korea, Taiwan (China), and Japan—accounted for nearly 60% of these arrivals.

Among the top 10 tourism markets for Vietnam, South Korea ranked first, with 3.7 million visitors, representing 26.4% of the total. China followed in second place with 3 million visitors (21.3%), and Taiwan ranked third with 1 million visitors. The United States was fourth with 637,000 visitors, and Japan ranked fifth with 585,000 visitors. Other major markets included Australia, India, Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand.

The key Northeast Asian markets have been a driving force behind the growth in international arrivals. Specifically, the Chinese market grew by 130% compared to the same period in 2023, while South Korea grew by 28.5%, Japan by 24.8%, and Taiwan (China) by 59.4%.

The nearby Southeast Asian markets also showed strong growth, with Indonesia increasing by 85.5%, the Philippines by 64.5%, Laos by 13.9%, and India continuing its positive growth at 29%.

Europe showed promising growth as well, particularly in key markets such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Russia. These markets benefit from Vietnam’s unilateral visa exemption policy, which allows for a 45-day stay and took effect on August 15, 2023.

@SGtiepthi

Proposed Ticket Prices for Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien Metro Line with Maximum Fare of 20,000 VND per Trip

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The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has submitted a proposal to the City People’s Committee regarding ticket prices for the city’s Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien).

Metro Line No. 1 Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien is expected to be put into operation by Ho Chi Minh City at the end of this year. Photo: TL

According to the proposal, for passengers paying with cash, the minimum fare will be 7,000 VND, and the maximum will be 20,000 VND per trip. For non-cash payments, fares for Metro Line 1 will range from 6,000 to 19,000 VND.

A day pass will be priced at 40,000 VND per person, allowing unlimited travel for the day. A three-day pass will cost 90,000 VND per person, also with unlimited travel over the three days.

Monthly passes will be available at two rates: 300,000 VND per month for regular passengers and 150,000 VND per month for students, allowing unlimited rides throughout the month.

Regarding fare exemptions, the Department of Transport is following procedures to advise the City People’s Committee to present a proposal to the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council for a final decision.

Previously, on November 4, the department submitted a draft resolution to the City People’s Committee Office regarding support policies for public transport passengers on buses and metro, as well as funding support for public transport services in the city.

According to the draft, the Ho Chi Minh City budget will cover 100% of ticket costs for certain groups, including people with contributions to the revolution, people with disabilities, seniors (aged 60 and above), and children under six accompanied by an adult .

Additionally, for the first 30 days of Metro Line 1’s commercial operations, the city will subsidize 100% of ticket costs for all passengers on the metro and the 17 bus routes that connect to the metro line.

Construction of the Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien metro line began in late 2012. This is the first line in Ho Chi Minh City’s planned urban railway network. The project has an estimated investment of approximately 43.7 trillion VND, with a total length of about 19.7 km, featuring three underground stations and eleven elevated stations. Metro Line 1 will operate with a total of 17 trains, each capable of carrying 930 passengers, including 147 seated and 783 standing. This metro line is expected to begin commercial operations in early 2025.

@SGtiepthi