Vietnamese destinations honored internationally in 2023

Ha Giang is one of the must-visit destinations in 2023. Photo: Ha Giang Province's website

Thirteen destinations in Vietnam have been internationally recognized this year, boosting the country's reputation on the global tourism map. According to the New York Times, the northern province of Ha Giang is one of the must-visit destinations in 2023, while the Ban Gioc Waterfall (in the northern province of Cao Bang) was named one of the world's most beautiful natural borders by the South China Morning Post. Condé Nast Traveller selected Mu Cang Chai (in the northern province of Yen Bai) as one of the 40 most colorful places in the world "to brighten winter days".

Son La to become tourism hub in Vietnam-Laos border region

Son La Province aims to become a tourism focal point in the Vietnam-Laos border area and the northwestern mountainous region by 2030, according to Son La Province's 2021-2030 plan and 2050 vision signed by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha.

The three tourism focal points include Son La City and its surroundings, Moc Chau National Tourism Area connected with Moc Chau Tourism Area and its surroundings, and Da River Lake National Tourism Area. The province will develop ecological and agricultural tourism, cultural and historical tourism, community-based tourism, resort and leisure tourism, and specialized tourism with modern and synchronized infrastructure.

More Vietnamese companies approved to sell rice to China

China's General Administration of Customs (GACC) has licensed an additional 19 Vietnamese rice exporters, bringing the total to 41. Of the total, 22 companies will have their licenses expire by January 2, 2026, four by December 30, 2026, and the rest by 2028. In January-November 2023, Vietnam sold more than 695,000 tons of rice to China, valued at US$517.6 million. The export figures were up 10.9% in volume and 26.7% in value year-on-year.

Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh route listed among top 4 busiest domestic routes in the world

Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh route listed among the top 4 busiest domestic routes in the world. Photo: VNA

According to the Vietnam Civil Aviation Administration, air traffic on the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh route has amounted to more than nine million passengers in 2023, accounting for 22% of total domestic passenger traffic, and 43,000 flights, or about 17.5% of total domestic flights, ranking it among the four busiest domestic routes in the world.

Foreign investment inflows into Vietnam to reach nearly US$36.6 billion in 2023

As of December 20, the total foreign direct investment (FDI) registered in Vietnam reached nearly US$36.6 billion, an increase of 32% compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment. Correspondingly, the total disbursed volume of FDI hit an estimated US$23.2 billion, up 3.5% year-on-year.

Hanoi to complete service road construction for Ring Road No.4 by October 2025

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung on December 26 insisted that relevant units strive to complete the construction of service roads for the Ring Road No.4 - Capital Region Project by the end of Q3/2025. The ring road has a total length of 113 km, connecting Hanoi with the neighboring provinces of Bac Ninh and Hung Yen. The section through the city is 56.5 km. The total capital for the project is estimated at VND85.8 trillion (US$3.52 billion).