Vietnam Insider

The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has stated that since the beginning of this year, the average price of economy-class tickets on some routes (including taxes and fees) from Vietnamese airlines has increased compared to the same period last year.

The increase in airfares of airlines is part of a global trend. Photo: CAAV.

The MOT recently issued a written response to voters in Ho Chi Minh City regarding the high airfare prices and a request to review the fee components included in the ticket prices.

According to the ministry, the cost structure for a flight operated by Vietnamese airlines in 2023 includes fuel costs accounting for 37-42% of total expenses, aircraft-related costs (equipment, repair, and maintenance) accounting for 32-41%, and flight service costs (ground handling, air traffic control, etc.) accounting for 6-7%.

Additionally, other costs such as direct labor, sales, management, and passenger service expenses make up 16-19% of the total. Flight service costs (ground handling, air traffic control, etc.) are relatively small, around 6-7% of the total cost per flight, and have minimal impact on overall cost increases.

Certain service charges are regulated by the Ministry of Transport in Circular No. 53/2019/TT-BGTVT, issued on December 30, 2019, which sets prices and price ranges for some specialized aviation services at airports in Vietnam. In reality, most services governed by this circular have remained stable for a long time without any price adjustments.

The MOT noted that, since the beginning of the year, the average price of economy-class tickets on some routes (including taxes and fees) has increased compared to the same period in 2023.

However, the ministry’s inspections of the ticket sales activities of Vietnamese airlines found that they are adhering to regulations regarding the maximum price for basic economy class on domestic routes.

The ministry explained that the increase in airfare is in line with a global trend driven by several factors, including market supply-demand dynamics (such as a reduction in the number of aircraft in operation and increased travel demand during holidays), rising fuel costs, and exchange rate fluctuations.

Of note, up to 80% of airline costs are related to foreign currency. In July, the USD/VND exchange rate reached a historic high (with a selling rate of 1 USD = 25,470 VND), up 7.45% compared to the same period in 2023 and 10.25% compared to the same period in 2021.

@Znews

Vietnam has four dishes that have been honored in the list of “100 Best Rice Dishes in the World,” recently published by the culinary website Taste Atlas.

Ranked the highest among the Vietnamese dishes on the list at 11th place with a rating of 4.5/5 stars, broken rice is described by Taste Atlas as “a dish made from broken rice, typical of Ho Chi Minh City, served with fried eggs, shredded pork skin, grilled pork ribs, or crispy fried fish cakes.”

Ảnh: Diadiemanuong

The most popular version of broken rice, known as broken rice ribs, also made the list, ranking 63rd with a rating of 4.3/5 stars. The accompanying grilled pork, which is marinated with a variety of spices before being grilled to perfection, is particularly beloved by diners.

Banh beo, ranking 99th with a rating of 4.1/5 stars, is made from rice flour and typically topped with shrimp or pork. Additionally, when enjoying this signature dish from the former imperial city of Hue, diners can add roasted peanuts or fried shallots to enhance its flavor.

Photo: Traveloka

The final Vietnamese dish to make the list is banh tet, a specialty from the southern region of Vietnam. This dish offers both savory and sweet filling options, and its unique feature is that it is wrapped in banana leaves.

Founded in 2015 and headquartered in Zagreb, Croatia, Taste Atlas is known for being a map that compiles traditional dishes from around the world.

According to Matija Babić, the founder of Taste Atlas, the rankings of dishes and beverages are based on the opinions and evaluations of experts and food critics to ensure the reliability of the awards.

@Vietnamnet

This year, Ho Chi Minh City will organize fireworks displays at two locations for the September 2 holiday: the area near the Saigon River Tunnel entrance (Thu Duc City) and Dam Sen Cultural Park (District 11).

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has approved the program to celebrate the 79th anniversary of the National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (September 2, 1945 – September 2, 2024). distorted, the city will have high-altitude fireworks at the Saigon River Tunnel entrance (Thu Thiem Ward, Thu Duc City) and low-altitude fireworks at Dam Sen Cultural Park (Ward 3, District 11). The fireworks displays will take place from 9:00 PM to 9:15 PM on September 2.

According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports, the city will also organize various programs and activities for the September 2 holiday, including a ceremony to offer incense and flowers in tribute to President Ho Chi Minh and President Ton Duc Thang at the Ho Chi Minh Museum, the Ton Duc Thang Museum, and the President Ho Chi Minh Statue Park on August 30.

In addition, there will be cultural, artistic, and sports activities such as the Ho Chi Minh City Traditional Boat Race and an art program at 7:00 PM on September 2 at Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street.

@SGtiepthi

The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) notes that airfare prices for the upcoming September 2 holiday are on the rise, though they have decreased significantly compared to the previous peak holiday season of April 30-May 1.

Airlines will operate a total of 4,257 flights during the upcoming September 2 holiday. Photo: CAAV.

According to a survey of airfare data conducted on August 2, CAAV reported that airfares for the National Day holiday are approximately 20% higher than regular days before the holiday.

For the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City route, the highest fare offered by Vietnam Airlines on August 30 is around 2.6 million VND per one-way ticket during daytime hours (including in-flight meals), an 8% increase compared to a week earlier (August 23).

For the same flight time, Vietjet Air is offering tickets at about 2.3 million VND per one-way ticket, a 25% increase from the previous week.

On the Hanoi-Nha Trang route, fares range from 2.4 to 3 million VND per one-way ticket, an increase of about 24% compared to the week before the holiday.

The CAAV noted that while airfares are trending upwards, the increases are mainly seen on the days marking the start and end of the holiday period. On the days in between, ticket prices are relatively stable and comparable to regular days before the holiday.

“When compared to data from the April 30-May 1 holiday period, although both are peak seasons, airfares for the September 2 holiday have decreased significantly and remained stable during the recent summer period,” the CAAV stated.

Accordingly, basic economy-class airfares on domestic routes during this period are generally lower, ranging from 40-60% of the maximum price allowed by regulations.

According to reports from airlines, from August 3 to September 3, airlines will operate a total of 4,257 flights, averaging 840 flights per day, up 3% compared to the week before the holiday and 3.5% compared to the same period in 2023.

Specifically, the average number of domestic flights is 600 per day, up 5% from the week before the holiday and 2.8% from the same period in 2023. The average number of international flights is 241 per day, down 2% compared to the week before the holiday but up 5.1% from the same period in 2023.

For domestic operations, especially on the North-South trunk routes (connecting Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City), airlines have increased the number of flights, averaging 241 flights per day, up 8% from the week before the holiday and 14.9% from the same period last year.

These routes remain the most “active” in the country, with a high frequency of flights not only during major holidays but also on regular days.

Tourist routes (to destinations like Vinh, Binh Dinh, Da Lat, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc) and routes from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to other localities have also seen increased operations, averaging 171 flights per day on domestic tourist routes and 187 flights per day to other localities, up 2% and 4%, respectively, compared to the week before the holiday.

In the context of reduced fleet size and a focus on domestic operations for the September 2 peak season, international operations by airlines have decreased slightly by 2%.

The increased number of flights during the upcoming holiday, especially on domestic routes, has allowed airlines to add more seats to the market.

As a result, the total number of seats available on domestic routes from August 30 to September 3 is expected to exceed 600,000, averaging 122,000 seats per day, up 5% from the week before the holiday and 1.5% from the same period last year.

Tourist routes and North-South trunk routes continue to have the highest number of available seats, averaging 33,000 seats per day and 55,400 seats per day, respectively, up 6.8% from the week before the holiday and 3% from the same period last year.

@Znews

Managing time efficiently is the key to staying productive and achieving your goals. One of the most effective tools for this is a daily planner. Creating a daily schedule that boosts productivity isn’t just about jotting down tasks; it’s about designing a plan that helps you focus, prioritize, and execute with purpose. In this guide, we’ll walk through the steps to create a daily schedule that will maximize your productivity.

1. Understanding the Importance of a Daily Planner

Before diving into the steps, it’s essential to understand why a daily planner is so effective. A daily planner helps you:

• Stay Organized: It provides a clear overview of what needs to be done.
• Prioritize Tasks: By laying out tasks in order of importance, you can focus on what matters most.
• Reduce Stress: Knowing what to do and when reduces the anxiety of forgotten tasks.
• Track Progress: A planner allows you to monitor what you’ve accomplished and what still needs attention.

By integrating a daily planner into your routine, you set the foundation for a more productive day.

2. Setting Clear Goals

Before you can create a daily schedule, you need to know what you want to achieve. Setting clear, specific goals is the first step in boosting productivity. Here’s how you can set effective goals:

• Be Specific: Instead of saying “I want to be productive,” specify what that looks like. For example, “Complete the quarterly report by 2 PM.”
• Set Measurable Goals: Make sure you can measure your progress. If your goal is to write, set a word count.
• Be Realistic: While it’s great to challenge yourself, setting unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and burnout.
• Time-bound Goals: Assign a deadline to each goal. Deadlines create urgency and help you stay on track.

With clear goals in place, your daily schedule will have direction and purpose.

3. Prioritizing Tasks

Once your goals are set, the next step is prioritizing tasks. Not all tasks are created equal, and understanding this will help you focus on what truly matters.

• Use the Eisenhower Matrix: This tool helps you categorize tasks into four quadrants based on urgency and importance:
  1. Important and Urgent: Do these tasks immediately.
  2. Important but Not Urgent: Schedule these tasks.
  3. Not Important but Urgent: Delegate if possible.
  4. Not Important and Not Urgent: Consider eliminating these tasks.
• Identify High-Impact Tasks: Focus on tasks that significantly impact your goals. These are usually tasks that require the most effort and produce the most results.

By prioritizing effectively, you can ensure that your time and energy are spent on tasks that bring you closer to your goals.

4. Time Blocking Your Schedule

Time blocking is a technique where you divide your day into blocks of time, each dedicated to a specific task or group of tasks. This method helps in managing time effectively and staying focused on one task at a time.

• Start with Your Most Important Tasks: Allocate your most productive time of the day (morning for most people) to your most important tasks.
• Include Breaks: Schedule short breaks between tasks to recharge.
• Batch Similar Tasks Together: Group similar tasks, like responding to emails or making phone calls, into one block to maintain focus.

Time blocking ensures that every hour of your day is accounted for, reducing the chances of procrastination and distractions.

5. Creating a Morning Routine

Your morning sets the tone for the rest of the day. A well-structured morning routine can enhance your focus, energy, and productivity.

• Start with a Positive Habit: Whether it’s exercising, meditating, or reading, begin your day with something that energizes and motivates you.
• Review Your Daily Planner: Take a few minutes to review your daily schedule. This prepares your mind for the tasks ahead.
• Eat a Healthy Breakfast: Fuel your body with a nutritious breakfast to maintain energy levels throughout the day.

A consistent morning routine helps you start your day with clarity and purpose, setting the stage for a productive day.

6. Minimizing Distractions

In the digital age, distractions are everywhere. To maintain productivity, it’s crucial to minimize them.

• Turn Off Notifications: Silence non-essential notifications on your phone and computer during work hours.
• Designate a Work Space: Create a dedicated work area free from distractions like TV or household chores.
• Use Focus Tools: Apps like Focus@Will or the Pomodoro Timer can help you stay on task by breaking your work into manageable intervals.

Minimizing distractions ensures that your focus remains on the tasks at hand, allowing you to complete them more efficiently.

7. Incorporating Flexibility in Your Schedule

While it’s important to have a structured schedule, it’s equally important to be flexible. Life is unpredictable, and sometimes things don’t go as planned.

• Leave Buffer Time: Include buffer time between tasks to accommodate unexpected interruptions.
• Be Prepared to Adjust: If something urgent comes up, be ready to shuffle your schedule. Prioritize what’s most important and move less critical tasks to another time.
• Review and Reflect: At the end of the day, review your schedule. What worked? What didn’t? Use this reflection to improve future schedules.

Flexibility in your schedule helps you adapt to changes without losing productivity.

8. Ending Your Day with a Routine

Just as a morning routine sets the tone for your day, an evening routine helps you wind down and prepare for the next day.

• Review Your Day: Reflect on what you accomplished and what needs to be carried over to the next day.
• Plan for Tomorrow: Spend a few minutes planning the next day’s schedule. This ensures you start the next day with a clear plan.
• Unplug and Relax: Disconnect from work and spend some time doing something you enjoy, whether it’s reading, watching a movie, or spending time with family.

An evening routine helps you close out the day on a positive note and sets you up for success the following day.

9. Using Technology to Your Advantage

In today’s digital age, numerous tools can help you stay organized and productive. Here are a few you might find useful:

• Digital Planners: Apps like Todoist or Trello can help you manage tasks and projects on the go.
• Calendar Apps: Google Calendar or Apple Calendar allows you to schedule your day and set reminders.
• Time Management Tools: RescueTime or Clockify can track your time and help you understand where your time is going.

Using technology smartly can enhance your productivity by automating tasks and keeping your schedule accessible from anywhere.

10. Staying Consistent

Consistency is key when it comes to productivity. It’s not enough to create a schedule; you must stick to it daily.

• Build Habits: Consistency leads to habit formation. The more you follow your schedule, the more natural it will become.
• Avoid Perfectionism: Understand that not every day will go perfectly. The goal is progress, not perfection.
• Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge your accomplishments, no matter how small. This boosts motivation and encourages you to keep going.

Staying consistent with your daily planner will ensure long-term productivity and success.

Conclusion

Creating a daily schedule that boosts productivity is an ongoing process. It requires setting clear goals, prioritizing tasks, time blocking, and maintaining flexibility. By incorporating these steps into your daily routine, you can maximize your efficiency and achieve your goals more effectively. Remember, the key to productivity is not just working harder but working smarter. Use your daily planner as a tool to guide your day, and you’ll find yourself accomplishing more with less stress.