Central region embarks on responsible tourism

The central province of Thua Thien-Hue on April 24 launched a project promoting responsible and sustainable tourism to improve livelihoods for local residents.
The central province of Thua Thien-Hue on April 24 launched a projectpromoting responsible and sustainable tourism to improve livelihoods forlocal residents.

The venture, to be carried out in2014-2015, has a total investment of 920,000 USD, of which 676,000 USDhas been contributed by the Luxemburg Government. The rest is comingfrom the UN.

Boasting the International LabourOrganisation, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisationand the neighouring province of Quang Nam as co-partners, the projectwill concentrate on developing green tours, which will be largely run bylocal people.

Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Namprovinces will work to enhance the capabilities of travel companies ingenerating more jobs for their residents.

Provincialrepresentatives said that each province needs to establish its ownsteering board to monitor the implementation of the project.

On April 18-19, a training course on responsible tourism was held inHanoi for 33 tourism teachers, directors and representatives of theVietnam Tourism Association.

The course was organised by theEU-funded Environmentally and Socially Responsible Tourism CapacityDevelopment Programme for the first time in Vietnam.-VNA

See more

Experts said that Vietnam’s economic outlook continues to be underpinned by stable foreign direct investment inflows and public investment, which is playing an important role in driving growth. (Photo: thoibaotaichinh.vn)

Foreign investors maintain strong confidence in Vietnam’s market

Looking ahead to 2026, prospects remain bright as manufacturing, economic growth and foreign investment in Vietnam are expected to stay robust, with the country forecast to post the highest growth rate in the region this year, according to Adam Sitkoff, Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Vietnam.

Toy production at a Hong Kong-invested factory (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam targets deeper market penetration in Hong Kong in 2026

Vietnam-Hong Kong trade hit 62.3 billion USD in the first 11 months of 2025, soaring 73.1% annually. Vietnamese exports to Hong Kong amounted to 36.8 billion USD, a 90.6% hike, ranking fourth among Hong Kong’s import sources, while imports from Hong Kong stood at 25.5 billion USD, up 52.9% and ranking third.

Vietnam’s start-up market enters restructuring phase

Vietnam’s start-up market enters restructuring phase

In 2026, venture capital inflows into Vietnam’s start-up ecosystem are expected to recover gradually, though in a more selective manner. VinVentures forecasts that capital will focus on start-ups that have survived the rigorous screening of 2024–2025, possess clear business models, strong commercialisation capacity, and the ability to generate real cash flows.

Workers process tra (pangasius) for export (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam–Singapore trade continues to thrive

For the year as a whole, Vietnam retained its position as Singapore’s 10th largest trading partner. Bilateral trade reached a record high of nearly 40 billion SGD, up 26.2% from the previous peak of 31.67 billion SGD recorded in 2024.

Eric Van Vaerenbergh, an energy expert and lecturer at the Brussels Engineering School (ECAM) (Photo: VNA)

Belgian expert optimistic about Vietnam’s economic outlook

Vietnam should move from a growth model based mainly on expanding capital and labour to one driven by productivity improvements. He said that this requires enhancing the quality of the workforce, particularly engineers, technicians, and managers in industrial sectors.

Workers at the VSIP Hai Phong industrial and urban complex, which specialises in producing electronic components for office equipment. (Photo: VNA)

Roadmap aims to improve business climate and boost competitiveness

By the end of 2026, Vietnam aims to rank among the world’s top 50 performers in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, advance at least three places in the International Property Rights Index, and climb at least one position in the Global Innovation Index.

Vietnam is strengthening its position in the technology value chain, becoming a major manufacturing hub for complete consumer electronics products. (Photo: VNA)

ESG standards offer opportunities to reposition Vietnam’s electronics firms

The 2025-2027 period will be a critical turning point, as exporters to the European market will be required to strictly comply with ESG standards, including net-zero emissions roadmaps, labour standards, corporate governance and transparency requirements. As a key export sector, the electronics industry is being directly and strongly affected by this shift.