First five-star cruise ship arrives in post-pandemic Phu Quoc

International tourists taken from Costa Serena to the coast of Phu Quoc Island. Photo: Huu Tuan/The Hanoi Times

The Italian-flagged cruise ship Costa Serena returned to the popular island of Phu Quoc Island in the southern province of Kien Giang on May 21, carrying more than 2,600 international tourists and becoming the first five-star cruise ship to visit the island since the Covid-19 outbreak.

The arrival of Costa Serena signals the recovery of the local tourism industry. Phu Quoc is expected to receive more cruise ships soon as Kien Giang Province develops tourism infrastructure facilities to accommodate more ocean cruise passengers.

Man arrested for torturing newborn baby

Police in Da Lat City in the Tay Nguyen (Central Highland) province of Lam Dong arrested 33-year-old Tran Hoai Thuong on the night of May 21 for brutally torturing his lover's three-month-old baby. The baby suffered multiple injuries, including broken arms, thighs and legs, a damaged liver, and is in critical condition.

The suspect confessed to the crime, saying he was disturbed by the baby's crying. The mother was also present when he abused the baby. She is now allowed to care for her baby while she awaits prosecution.

HCM City to host Vietnam's first international logistics exhibition

The Vietnam International Logistics Exhibition (VILOG) will be held in Ho Chi Minh City from August 10 to 12. Organized by the Vietnam Logistics Business Association and VINEXAD Company, the event will feature over 200 booths from over 150 companies from 16 countries and regions.

VILOG aims to showcase Vietnam's logistics industry, which has an average annual growth rate of 14-16% and is worth US$40-42 billion per year. During the event, conferences and seminars will take place on topics such as cold chain and customs support for logistics activities.

EVN proposes suspension of fertilizer plants for power generation

State-owned utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has proposed suspending production at two fertilizer plants in the southern provinces of Ba Ria-Vung Tau and Ca Mau for two months. The move aims to save gas for power generation during the dry season when demand is at its peak.

The Phu My and Ca Mau plants are the country's largest fertilizer producers. In 2022, the two plants produced 1.8 million tons of fertilizer, considered sufficient for domestic use.

New pet husbandry regulation under development

A new regulation on animal and pet husbandry is being drafted by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's Animal Husbandry Department. The department expects to finalize and issue the new rule to regulate the breeding of dangerous pets as early as the end of this year.

The move aims to reduce the number of people being bitten and killed by domestic animals, particularly pit bulldogs. On May 17, a pit bull bit and killed an 82-year-old woman in Di An City, Binh Duong Province.

Vietnam Stock Exchange posts 67% rise in 2022 net revenue

The Vietnam Stock Exchange (VNX), the parent company of the Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi stock exchanges, reported a two-thirds year-on-year increase in net revenue to VND3.42 trillion (US$146 million) in 2022. The strong growth was attributed to a significant increase in stock trading service fees, which accounted for 93% of the total.

VNX also posted a threefold growth in financial income, which reached VND113 billion (US$4.82 million) in 2022. Its net profit increased by 53% year-on-year to nearly VND2.1 trillion (US$89.6 million) last year.