In Hong Kong, a man committed a robbery to cover a card debt

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A hapless thief made too many mistakes, so it took only a short time for the police to find him and recover what was stolen.

In late 2022, a local man who was having financial difficulties because of gambling decided to commit a crime. He decided to rob someone on the street to make easy money, but his plans were not destined to come true.

He targeted nurse Tseung Kwan Oh who was returning home from her night shift. He attacked her from behind, took her purse and watch, and then tried to escape. All this was noticed by a random passerby, who began to pursue the thief, causing him to lose his wallet.

The attacker was not caught immediately, but thanks to the documents found in the wallet, it took the police less than an hour to find the kidnapper. It turned out that he lived 500 meters from the place of the attack, so the officers came to him almost immediately, and surprisingly, the offender was at home.

All of the woman’s stolen items were found on the way to the house, as the thief threw away the evidence to remain unpunished. Spoiler alert: he failed to do so.

During questioning by police, it became known that the 34-year-old local man had several serious debts because of his gambling addiction, which prompted him to commit the crime. The purse he stole from the nurse contained approximately $500, which hardly helped the assailant much in fixing his financial situation.

It is known that the detainee will be tried, and as a result of the trial (in theory), he can get even life imprisonment as the punishment for theft in Hong Kong is rather severe. However, it is unlikely that the judge will impose capital punishment, so most likely, the bitter criminal will get away with a few years in prison.

Note that gambling in Hong Kong is also strictly prohibited. The government has approved only certain types of racing, betting on soccer, and several online lotteries. All this reinforces the underground gambling market, which is growing rapidly despite the harsh penalties. Most likely, the thief fell for the no deposit signup casino bonuses that abound on the Internet and began to gamble despite the strictest ban.

Only from October to December 2022, the Hong Kong police arrested more than 1600 members of the triad involved in the organization of gambling. Some of them were quite high up in the gang hierarchy, thanks to which they were able to provide valuable testimony. In addition, during the World Cup, 789 people were arrested for organizing sports betting online or in underground clubs.

Rollbit Recorded $38M in September Betting Revenues, RLB Token Climbs

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Over 1.2% of the token’s supply was destroyed, a co-founder said.

Crypto casino and trading platform Rollbit clocked $38 million in revenues last month, and burned more than 1.2% of the circulating supply of its RLB tokens Monday, in line with long-term plans for a “buy and burn” program.

Token prices jumped as much as 8% before retreating to extend weekly gains to nearly 40%, data shows.

When burned, tokens are permanently removed from supply by being sent to an address that is not controlled by anyone.

“Nearly $38,000,000 was generated across our three revenue streams, resulting in a buy and burn of over $5,000,000 in RLB (1.265% of the circulating supply),” co-founder @Lucky_Rollbit said in an X post.

Such volumes seemingly correspond to just under 20,000 token holders, platform data shows. In the past 24 hours, the platform has clocked $851,000 in casino revenues, $338,000 in futures revenue and $141,000 in sports betting.

Rollbit allows users to trade tokens using 1000x leverage and offers sports betting and arcade games, as well as a tokenized jackpot. Crypto games and similar offerings have drawn users to the product, even in a bear market.

Earlier this year, Rollbit said 30% of all fees generated from crypto futures, 20% from sports betting and 10% from casino games would be used to purchase RLB on the open market and be burned.

Such a move could set perpetual buying pressure on RLB as long as platform usage continues to grow, as CoinDesk previously reported.

Bitcoin Drops Below $28K on Profit Taking; DOGE, TRX Lead Altcoin Slump

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BTC traded just over $27,600 in Asian afternoon hours on Tuesday, while Ether dropped 3.5% amid a dismal first day of ETH futures ETF trading in the U.S.

Bitcoin (BTC) fell under the $28,000 level early Tuesday just hours after crossing it at the start of the week as profit-taking and changing on-chain metrics dampened a continuation of price rises.

BTC traded just over $27,600 in Asian afternoon hours on Tuesday. In the past 24 hours, Ether (ETH) dropped 3.5% amid a dismal first day of ETH futures ETF trading in the U.S. XRP and BNB Chain’s BNB slumped 2.7%, while dogecoin (DOGE) and Tron network’s TRX fell as much as 4%.

Rollbit’s RLB tokens jumped 8%, continuing a multi-day run amid increased token demand and platform revenues.

The CoinDesk Market Index (CMI), a broad-based weighted index of hundreds of tokens, fell 3%, indicating profit-taking across the board.

Crypto markets rose Monday on ETF optimism that some traders hoped would bring renewed interest and capital to an otherwise tepid environment. Some even pointed to the historic seasonality of price surges in the month of October, aiming for a repeat of the unexplained coincidence.

But such an outlook always has the chance of falling flat, some argue.

“October is also typically a good month for the cryptocurrency market. Indeed, it is dubbed “uptober” by market insiders,” shared Lucas Kiely, chief investment officer of Yield App, in a message to CoinDesk. “Only twice since 2013 has bitcoin closed at a loss in October, and hopefully, this year will see a continuation of that trend.”

However, it is likely a little too early to get excited by these current price movements. This is unlikely to be the beginning of a significant rally without any other catalysts to drive it,” Keily cautioned, adding that the ongoing Sam Bankman-Fried trial “could take things either way” based on possible new information about crypto markets.

Elsewhere, Bitfinex markets analysts said in a weekly note that long-term investors were continuing to add to their holdings – boosting demand.

“On-chain activity for Bitcoin has hit record highs in terms of new addresses, but what stands out is that this activity predominantly involves short-term holder supply,” the analysts said. “This allows the supply held by long-term holders to continue reaching new peaks as short-term holders sell.”

“Volatility might also soon make a comeback in crypto, potentially towards the upside,” they opined.

Trillions of dongs in revenue, but lack of funding to renovate the world’s most beautiful fishing village on Ha Long Bay

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Gradually degraded

Recent weather conditions, such as heavy rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms, have led to the sinking of raft houses in Cua Van fishing village, according to a report by the Ha Long Bay Management Board in Quang Ninh.

Since 2014, the Board has been responsible for maintaining 69 raft houses, previously owned by local fishermen. These houses are used to promote tourism on Ha Long Bay and are located in the Cua Van and Vung Vieng fishing villages, providing visitors with a unique cultural experience by recreating the traditional living spaces of fishermen in the area.

Cua Van fishing village recreates the life of fishermen on Ha Long Bay. (Photo: La Nghia Hieu)

The preserved raft house system, together with the Cua Van Floating Cultural Center, has become a favorite tourist attraction, offering a glimpse into the lifestyle of ancient fishing villages. However, due to the harsh marine environment, including saltwater and strong waves, the wooden raft houses built on buoy systems have gradually deteriorated over time. This poses a risk to the safety of tourists who visit the area for sightseeing and experience activities.

Great revenue but wearily waiting for repair money

According to a leader from the Ha Long Bay Management Board, they had reported years ago to the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh province about the deteriorating condition of the raft houses in Cua Van and Vung Vieng fishing villages. However, no funding has been provided yet for their renovation and repair.

The leader further explained that before the COVID-19 epidemic in 2020, the unit had sufficient funds, with over 1,000 billion VND collected annually from tour ticket sales. However, only 11% of the revenue was given to the Ha Long Bay Management Board to perform their professional duties, including repairing and maintaining physical assets assigned by the Ministry of Finance’s regulations. The remaining 89% was allocated to Ha Long City for projects on the shore and under Ha Long Bay.

The fishing village classroom reserve on Ha Long Bay sank due to deterioration. (Photo: VNA)

Despite the considerable revenue, the funds were not allocated in time for repairing the raft house area on Ha Long Bay and other necessary items. The unit has submitted reports to the authorities multiple times, but they have yet to receive the necessary funding to repair the raft houses in Cua Van and Vung Vieng.

@thanhnien.vn

Ba Den Mountain offers free cable car tickets for monks

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Up to 60% discount on cable car tickets for Tay Ninh people and Hanoi tourists

An exciting event called “Tay Ninh Day in Hanoi” will take place on October 7-8 at Hoan Kiem Lake pedestrian street. The celebration aims to honor the 69th anniversary of Hanoi Capital’s liberation and to showcase the beauty of the Tay Ninh homeland and its people.

As a token of appreciation, Sun World Ba Den Mountain has announced a discount for Tay Ninh residents and visitors from Hanoi who come to worship and visit the mountain. The combo of 2 cable routes to the temple and the top of the mountain is available at only 200,000 VND per adult and 150,000 VND per child ticket from October 2-31. Visitors must present identification documents confirming their permanent residence in Tay Ninh or Hanoi to avail of the discounted fare.

A corner of the Vo Nga Garden on the top of Ba Den Mountain. (Photo: Nguyen Minh Tu)

Free cable car tickets for monks until the end of 2023

During the final months of the year, Ba Den Mountain is a highly regarded destination for Buddhists and monks from all over the country. It’s a time when many spiritual events take place, drawing a significant number of visitors.

From October 2 to December 31, Sun World Ba Den Mountain provides free cable car tickets to the temple and mountaintop for monks who possess a monk certificate, ordination certificate, administrative card, or verification documents from the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha that include a photo. This is a special gesture from Sun World Ba Den Mountain to the monks in honor of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara season, which falls between November 2 and 5 (on the 19th and 22nd of the lunar calendar).

Ba Den Mountain at night releasing lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival. (Photo: Nguyen Minh Tu)

Ba Den Mountain is a beloved destination for cloud gazing and taking in the stunning views of Southern Vietnam. The mountain’s breathtaking scenery is often compared to that of a fairyland, making it a popular pilgrimage site. Sun World Ba Den Mountain offers special discounts on cable car tickets for students and those facing financial hardship, making it accessible for visitors from all corners of the country to experience the sacred mountain. As the tallest peak in the region, Ba Den Mountain offers heavenly vistas that are sure to leave a lasting impression.

@thanhnien.vn

UK Regulator Saw ‘Poor’ Engagement From Some Overseas Crypto Firms on Upcoming Ad Rules

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With the rules set to take effect Oct. 8, officials at the Financial Conduct Authority have a plan to tackle non-compliant firms, CoinDesk was told.

U.K.’s FCA is concerned about the poor quality of responses it has received from unregulated overseas crypto firms about the upcoming promotions regime for the sector, officials at the regulator told CoinDesk.

The regulator seemingly welcomed announcements from firms like ByBit, Luno and PayPal that they were halting certain services to comply with the new rules.

Some foreign crypto firms have responded poorly to the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority’s attempts to engage them about its upcoming promotions rules for the sector, officials at the regulator said during a Monday interview with CoinDesk.

The promotion rules requiring crypto firms to have appropriate warnings on websites and implement a 24-hour waiting period for new investors to confirm they want to enter into a contract with companies will take effect on Oct. 8. The regulator has also given firms the option of applying for a three-month extension to comply with the rules.

While the FCA has tried to engage crypto firms serving U.K. clients about the promotions regime, it’s “concerned about a lack of engagement from some unregulated overseas firms,” said Lucy Castledine, director of consumer investments at the regulator.

“There are some [overseas firms] that have not engaged to the standard that we would expect and the provision of information back to us has been poor,” she added.

Conversely, crypto firms like ByBit, Luno and payments platform PayPal, who recently announced they were halting certain services to the U.K. market in order to comply with the rules, received a nod of approval from the watchdog.

“You will appreciate we can’t comment on specific firms but what we can say is that, of course, where firms are making decisions to actually get to the standards we want to see, that’s really positive,” said Matthew Long, director of payments and digital assets at the FCA.

Meanwhile, the regulator is prepared to monitor firms’ compliance and has the ability to scan 100,000 websites on a daily basis, said Castledine.

When firms don’t comply, “we will issue warnings against those particular firms. We also have the ability to issue takedown requests … and we’ve been working with the other big online tech platforms to make sure that illegal promotions don’t actually appear in the first place,” Castledine said, adding that companies like Google are working to ensure paid financial promotions comply with FCA rules.

Unauthorized ads or promotions could mean jail time, the FCA warned in February.

The regulator will also have powers against overseas companies serving U.K. clients without registering with the FCA, but how they will handle them will vary case by case Castledine added. The regulator submits information on non-compliant firms to global watchdogs like the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) to be added to alert lists, she said.

“That international response is quite key and quite critical for us and we’re working very hard on those relationships,” Castledine said.

Chainlink Unveils ‘Data Streams’ to Reduce Latency, Expands Decentralized Computing

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The company launched Chainlink Data Streams and announced new decentralized computing capabilities.

Chainlink, the blockchain data oracle provider, has launched “Data Streams,” a new product designed to reduce network latency.

The offering has now entered early access on layer 2 platform Arbitrum, the company said Monday in a press release.

Chainlink Data Streams combines low latency market data and automated execution “to unlock a new generation of ultra-fast and user-friendly derivatives products,” according to the company. Low latency market data refers to financial market data that is delivered without delay.

The product uses a “pull-based” data oracle solution, where ”high frequency market data is continuously made available off-chain,” the press release said. Oracle reports are generated per block, and users can retrieve them off-chain and then validate with their on-chain transaction. This differs from the push-based solution where oracles proactively feed data to smart contracts at various time intervals.

Using a pull-based system reduces the latency – how much time it takes for a data packet to travel from one point to another – of updates. Latency is a common problem that afflicts distributed networks, since messages have to propagate to nodes, often causing delays in finalizing and synchronizing transactions.

“Data Streams not only enables DeFi (decentralized finance) protocols to support execution speeds and a user experience that rival centralized exchanges, but to do so without compromising on the core Web3 value of fair, transparent, and decentralized infrastructure,” Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov said in the release.

Also on Monday, the company announced new decentralized computing capabilities with Functions Beta and Automation 2.0 on the main network.

Chainlink Functions will enable developers to connect decentralized applications to any application programme interface (API), an intermediary layer which processes data transfers across systems.

Meanwhile, Chainlink Functions allows high value jobs to be automated at a tenth of the cost, saving up to 90% in gas costs, Chainlink said in the press release.

“With all these new updates, we are creating a standard for how all developers can connect heterogenous Web3 components with any existing system they can think about, move data and value seamlessly across multiple chain ecosystem, and create new verifiable applications,” Kemal El Moujahid, chief product officer at Chainlink Labs, said in a statement provided by a spokesperson. Chainlink Labs is the primary developer contributing to Chainlink.

Khanh Hoa aims for Chinese tourist recovery with Guangzhou-Cam Ranh flight resumption

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China Southern Airlines is the first airline to reopen commercial flights from China to Khanh Hoa since the Covid-19 pandemic was controlled, which is a promising sign for Khanh Hoa’s tourism industry.

On October 2nd, information from Cam Ranh International Airport revealed that China Southern Airlines (China) has resumed the Guangzhou – Cam Ranh route with a frequency of 3 flights per week on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.

The first flight on September 29th carried 130 Chinese tourists to Khanh Hoa.

Chinese tourists arrive at Cam Ranh international airport

Before the Covid-19 pandemic, Chinese tourists accounted for a significant portion of international visitors to Khanh Hoa. In 2019, the region welcomed over 2.5 million Chinese tourists. However, since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, the influx of tourists from the world’s most populous country to Vietnam in general and Khanh Hoa in particular has been nearly frozen.

After Covid-19 was brought under control, the government allowed the tourism industry to reopen to international tourists. Many Vietnamese airlines like Vietjet Air and Bamboo Airways have operated charter flights to bring Chinese tourists to Khanh Hoa. However, recently, the number of these charter flights has decreased.

“It is expected that in the coming months, charter flights bringing Chinese tourists to Khanh Hoa will gradually increase starting in November, and Chinese commercial airlines plan to resume operations in the fourth quarter. In addition, Korean airlines will gradually increase flights to Nha Trang due to the high demand for travel by Korean tourists,” said the leader of Cam Ranh International Terminal Joint Stock Company.

Nguyen Thi Le Thanh, Director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism, stated that China Southern Airlines is the first airline to reopen the commercial route from China to Khanh Hoa since the Covid-19 pandemic was controlled, which is a reason for celebration for the local tourism industry. “The reopening of the Guangzhou – Cam Ranh commercial route will create conditions for travel companies to operate tours bringing Chinese tourists to Khanh Hoa and for the people of Khanh Hoa and neighboring provinces to travel to China,” she added.

Khanh Hoa Province aims to welcome 4.5 million international tourists and 4.3 million domestic tourists by 2025. By 2030, Khanh Hoa’s tourism industry targets 7 million international tourists and 6.8 million domestic tourists.

In the first nine months of 2023, Khanh Hoa Province welcomed 5.7 million overnight visitors, with over 1.45 million international tourists and approximately 4.25 million domestic tourists. The tourism revenue reached over 27.502 trillion VND.

Khanh Hoa wants to diversify the international tourist market

The Director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism mentioned that the province is diversifying its international tourist markets to ensure a stable influx of visitors to the region and to promote sustainable development, eliminating the dominance of a single tourist nationality as before.

“In recent times, the number of Korean tourists coming to Khanh Hoa has been increasing significantly, and this is a market with great potential. In the near future, we will continue to expand promotional and marketing efforts in markets such as South Korea, Australia, India, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, etc., to attract a more diverse range of tourists to the region,” said Ms. Thanh.

@Thanhnien.vn

Ba Ria – Vung Tau welcomes over 11.3 million tourists in 9 months

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Many cultural and sports events have been organized, creating attractions that draw tourists to visit and stay in Ba Ria – Vung Tau province.

According to a report from the Ba Ria – Vung Tau Provincial Department of Tourism, in September 2023, the entire province welcomed over 1.3 million visitors, bringing the total number of visitors to the province in the first 9 months to 11,367,238, with an estimated 3,451,621 staying overnight, an increase of 18.33% compared to the same period last year. International visitors alone reached an estimated 191,545, marking a 66.89% increase over the same period. The tourism revenue reached 11,857 billion VND, a 31.8% increase compared to the same period, with revenue from tourism accommodations estimated at 4,073 billion VND.

The Ba Ria – Vung Tau Provincial Department of Tourism noted that local tourism is thriving due to its strong coastal tourism brand that has made an impression on domestic tourists. Additionally, many cultural and sports events have been organized, creating attractions that draw tourists from both within and outside the province to visit and stay. During their travel, tourists also utilize resort services, dining options, and entertainment offered at their accommodations.

Ba Ria – Vung Tau is entering the international tourist season, and the tourism industry is actively promoting various activities to boost year-end demand, with expectations of strong growth in both international and domestic tourism for Ba Ria – Vung Tau.

@Cafef

Proposal to collect non-stop electronic tolls at the country’s two largest airports

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The Vietnam Road Administration has recently reported to the Ministry of Transport regarding the provision of non-stop electronic toll collection services for airports and related expansion plans for non-stop electronic toll collection services.

According to the Vietnam Road Administration, currently, airport toll booths across the country, especially at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports, still collect tolls manually. Drivers are required to stop their vehicles at toll booths to pay in cash, leading to frequent congestion in these toll areas, causing frustration for both drivers and passengers.

Congestion at the toll station area will affect many roads around the airport

Therefore, the Administration proposes that the Ministry of Transport report to the Prime Minister to allow electronic toll collection service providers to pilot the expansion of non-stop electronic toll collection services at these two airports for a period of six months.

Based on the implementation process and the results of the pilot program for non-stop electronic toll collection at Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat airports, the Ministry of Transport will conduct an impact assessment, review, and study to propose suitable, rigorous, efficient, and legally compliant solutions. The Vietnam Road Administration will recommend adjustments and additions to Decision No. 19 in line with the pilot program.

“The pilot program, based on ensuring social benefits, increasing convenience, and providing advantages to service users, will enhance the effectiveness of investing in the non-stop electronic toll collection system and establish a legal framework for compliance, rigor, efficiency, and adherence to legal regulations,” stated the leaders of the Vietnam Road Administration.

Currently, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) charges service fees for passenger pick-up and drop-off vehicles at two groups of airports. For Tan Son Nhat, Noi Bai, and Da Nang airports, vehicles entering and exiting within 10 minutes are charged 10,000 VND per trip for vehicles with less than 9 seats, 15,000 VND per trip for vehicles with 10 to 30 seats, and 25,000 VND per trip for vehicles with more than 30 seats.

For other airports, the fees are 5,000 VND per trip for vehicles with less than 9 seats, 10,000 VND per trip for vehicles with 10 to 16 seats, 15,000 VND per trip for vehicles with 16 to 29 seats, and 25,000 VND per trip for vehicles with more than 30 seats. Vehicles staying at the airport for more than 10 minutes will incur additional parking fees.

@Thanhnien.vn

International visitors to Vietnam only reaches 69% in 2019

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In the first 9 months of the year, the number of Vietnamese people traveling abroad has increased by 2.5 times compared to the same period in 2022. Meanwhile, the number of foreigners arriving in Vietnam is only 69% of that in 2019 – a year before the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to the General Statistics Office (Ministry of Planning and Investment), in September, international visitors to Vietnam reached over 1 million, a decrease of 13.4% compared to August but 2.4 times higher than the same period last year. Meanwhile, the number of Vietnamese citizens leaving the country reached 501,400, an increase of 43.1% compared to the same period last year.

The number of foreign visitors to Vietnam has increased but has not recovered as much as in 2019 – a time when there was no Covid-19 epidemic.

Overall, in the first 9 months of the year, international visitors to our country are estimated to be 8.9 million, a 4.7-fold increase compared to the same period last year but still only 69% compared to the same period in 2019 – a year without the Covid-19 pandemic. The number of Vietnamese citizens leaving the country reached 3.8 million, a 2.5-fold increase compared to the same period in 2022.

More than 5,200 businesses ceased operations in September.

The General Statistics Office also provided information that in September, the whole country had 12,684 newly established businesses, a decrease of 9.7% compared to August and an increase of 10.6% compared to the same period in 2022.

There were 5,808 businesses returning to operation, a decrease of 7.2% compared to August and an increase of 13.5% compared to the same period last year. At the same time, 4,124 businesses registered temporary suspensions of business with a deadline, a decrease of 20.4% compared to August and an increase of 40.5% compared to the same period last year.

In September, there were 5,273 businesses ceasing operations pending dissolution, an increase of 1.1% compared to August and an increase of 25.9% compared to the same period last year. The number of businesses completing dissolution procedures was 1,441, an increase of 4.8% compared to August and a decrease of 4.9% compared to the same period last year.

Overall, in the first 9 months of the year, the entire country had 116,300 newly registered businesses, an increase of 3.1% compared to the same period last year; 48,900 businesses returning to operation, a decrease of 3.2%; 75,800 businesses temporarily suspending business with a deadline, an increase of 21.2%; 46,100 businesses ceasing operations pending dissolution, an increase of 26.9%; 13,200 businesses completing dissolution procedures, a decrease of 4.3%.

The results of the survey on the business trends of processing and manufacturing industries in the third quarter show that 30.1% of businesses have a more favorable outlook compared to the second quarter. It is expected that in the fourth quarter, 39.1% of businesses will have a better outlook compared to the third quarter…

@Thanhnien.vn

Domestic motorcycle production reverses, showing significant growth in September 2023

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According to statistics, the production of new motorcycles in the country in September has grown by 10.7% compared to the previous month. Cumulatively for the first 9 months of the year, over 2.3 million new motorcycles have been manufactured in Vietnam.

According to a report from the General Statistics Office released today (September 29), in the past September, domestic businesses produced an estimated 257,600 new motorcycles, a 10.7% increase compared to August (which had 232,700 motorcycles).

Therefore, after several months of declining production, the domestic motorcycle production in September saw a significant growth. However, when compared to the same period last year, the production of motorcycles in September was still 17.0% lower.

In the first 9 months of the year, a total of more than 2.3 million motorbikes were produced and brought to market by domestic enterprises. (Photo: VinFast)

In total, in the third quarter, the entire country produced an estimated 720,900 new motorcycles, the lowest in three quarters (the first quarter was 770,700, and the second quarter was 809,900). Compared to the third quarter of 2022, motorcycle production in the third quarter of this year decreased by 11.5%.

For the first 9 months of 2023, the total number of new motorcycles produced in Vietnam is estimated to be 2,301,500, a decrease of 8.4% compared to the same period in 2022.

According to the Vietnam Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (VAMM), in the entire year of 2022, the sales of VAMM members reached 3,003,160 motorcycles, a 20.49% increase compared to 2021.

VAMM members consist of 5 companies: Honda Vietnam Company (currently producing and distributing 29 products), Yamaha Motor Vietnam (19 products), SYM Vietnam (19 products), Suzuki Vietnam (17 products), and Piaggio Vietnam (10 products).

In addition to domestic consumption, some VAMM member companies also export complete motorcycles to various countries and territories, although specific quantities are not disclosed.

Currently, there are many domestic companies producing electric motorcycles, such as VinFast, Pega, Yadea, Detech, but these companies are not members of VAMM.

@Vietnamnet

Training communication skills for taxi drivers at Tan Son Nhat airport

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The departments and agencies in Ho Chi Minh City have recently collaborated to organize communication and situational handling skill training sessions for taxi drivers operating in the Tan Son Nhat Airport area and the central part of the city.

On the morning of September 29th, the Department of Tourism, in cooperation with the Ho Chi Minh City Police, the Department of Transportation, the Taxi Association of Ho Chi Minh City, and the City’s Academy of Officials, organized a short-term training program on communication skills and handling situations involving tourists for taxi drivers operating within the city.

This is the first knowledge enhancement and training program specifically designed for taxi and public transportation drivers serving tourists, who are one of the first points of contact and influence on tourists when they arrive in the city.

The units plan to organize 10 – 12 training classes/year for taxi drivers in Ho Chi Minh City.

Initially, the training sessions will be conducted for taxi drivers operating in the Tan Son Nhat Airport area and the central city area, with plans to extend it to taxi drivers throughout the city later. The eligibility criteria for participation in these training sessions include possessing a valid driver’s license as per regulations and having no legal violations or ongoing investigations. According to the plan, these agencies will jointly organize 10 to 12 training sessions each year.

Mr. Le Truong Hien Hoa, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, stated that building a friendly and customer-oriented taxi driver team will leave a positive impression on tourists and contribute to improving the quality of transportation services. Consequently, taxi drivers will play a role in shaping the local tourism environment, enhancing competitiveness with other domestic and international tourist destinations.

The training class is organized by the Department of Tourism in coordination with Ho Chi Minh City Police and other units

“We expect that after disseminating this knowledge, taxi drivers will work together with the tourism industry to create a positive image, where every taxi driver is an ambassador of tourism, introducing culture, cuisine, and people to tourists visiting Ho Chi Minh City,” shared the Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism.

@Thanhnien.vn

Vietnamese visitors to Japan increases compared to before the epidemic

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According to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization, Vietnamese tourists visiting the country in the first 8 months of 2023 were among the top 10 largest source markets.

Specifically, Vietnamese tourists ranked 7th, following South Korea, Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, the United States, and ahead of the Philippines, Australia, and Singapore. In August 2023, Vietnamese arrivals in Japan reached 50,000, marking a 16.5% increase compared to the same period in 2019 (pre-pandemic). Over the course of 8 months, Japan welcomed 397,000 Vietnamese tourists, reflecting a 17.4% increase compared to the same period in 2019.

Vietnamese tourists are preparing for the time to come to Japan to see the red leaf season

Of particular interest is the fact that among Japan’s top 10 largest source markets in the past 8 months, Vietnamese tourists experienced the highest growth rate of 17.4% compared to the pre-pandemic period. Among the top 10 markets, only Vietnam, Singapore (16.8%), and the United States (14%) saw growth compared to pre-pandemic levels. Other important markets for Japan, such as China (down 81%), Thailand (down 28%), Taiwan (down 22%), Australia (down 13%), and South Korea (down 8.6%), experienced significant declines.

The Japan National Tourism Organization reported that the total number of international arrivals in Japan during the first 8 months of 2023 reached 15.2 million, representing a 31% decrease compared to the pre-pandemic period.

International flights to Japan’s 6 major airports (Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Sapporo) have shown relative recovery but remain 26% lower than in August 2019. Additionally, the number of empty seats is down by 25%, with Nagoya Airport even experiencing a 62% reduction in both flight frequency and available seats.

Thanh Thuy Pagoda in Kyoto in autumn colors

Conversely, the number of Japanese tourists traveling abroad reached 1.2 million in August 2023, surpassing the 1 million mark for the first time in a month since the pandemic began. However, this figure still represents a 43.1% decrease compared to August 2019.

As a result, international flights departing from Japan’s 6 major airports were down by 25.8%, totaling 17,031 flights compared to August 2019, and the number of empty seats decreased by 24.9% to 4 million.

@Thanhnien.vn

Vietnamese Pho goes global

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The 2023 Vietnam Pho Festival is set to grace Keyaki Namiki, Tokyo, Japan, from October 7th to 8th, unveiling a delectable journey into Vietnamese culinary culture for an international audience.

The announcement was made during a press conference held on September 28th in Ho Chi Minh City, with representatives from the Youth Newspaper, the Saigontourist Group, and the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Association.

This event, marking the seventh rendition of the ‘Day of Pho’ (celebrated on December 12th), an initiative championed and annually organized by Tuoi Tre, carries a mission to champion Vietnamese cuisine, with a spotlight on the iconic Pho—a savory Vietnamese soup comprising broth, rice noodles, herbs, and typically beef or chicken.

A diverse array of Pho brands from across Vietnam, including Pho Dau, Pho Hai Thien, Pho Phu Gia, Pho ‘S, Pho Sen SASCO, Pho Ta – Binh Tay Food, and Pho Thin Bo Ho, will be showcased. Additionally, Pho offerings from renowned five-star hotels such as Majestic Saigon Hotel, Grand Saigon Hotel, and Thu Duc Golf Club will tantalize taste buds.

Within the festival’s framework, an exciting lineup of promotional activities is planned, including a captivating talk show titled “Love for Vietnam Pho,” a Pho cooking competition tailored for Japanese participants, an exhibition, and a captivating video screening that delves into the history of this beloved dish.

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Culinary virtuoso Matsuo Tomoyuki, Chairman of the Japan – Vietnam Cuisine Culture Association and the Festival’s Ambassador, will grace the occasion. Furthermore, the municipal Department of Industry and Trade will orchestrate investment and trade promotion activities, offering a platform to showcase the products of enterprises in the food industry.

Le The Chu, Editor-in-Chief of Tuoi Tre Newspaper and co-head of the Steering Committee for the Vietnam Pho Festival 2023, emphasized their ongoing commitment to promoting the rich tapestry of Vietnamese culture and cuisine.

The festival is poised to showcase Vietnam’s distinctive cultural and culinary heritage to Japanese friends, thereby bolstering Vietnam’s economic and tourism prospects, particularly for Ho Chi Minh City, as stated by Tru, one of the organizers.

Pham Huy Binh, Chairman of the Board of Members of Saigontourist Group and co-head of the Steering Committee, expressed their determination to fulfill their promise of projecting Vietnamese culture and cuisine onto the global stage, with this being the first of its kind in East Asia. Their hope is to create a compelling attraction that lures more Japanese tourists to Vietnam.

Masuo Ono, the Japanese Consul General in HCM City, underlined that the festival serves as a practical means to foster cultural exchanges and economic ties between the two nations.

With approximately 40 booths on display, the 2023 Vietnam Pho Festival anticipates serving a hungry audience of around 50,000 visitors, promising a flavorful experience that transcends borders.

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