HA NOI — In 2024, Viet Nam's domestic car production is estimated at 388,500 units, marking a 27 per cent increase compared to 2023, according to the General Statistics Office.
About 134,500 vehicles were manufactured during the three months of reduced registration fees, lasting from September to November. This figure accounts for about one-third of the year’s total production.
However, in December, domestic car production in Viet Nam was estimated at 47,000 units, a significant drop from the 52,400 units produced at domestic factories in the previous month. This decline aligns with the expiration of the 50 per cent registration fees reduction for locally manufactured and assembled cars. Therefore, manufacturers have proactively scaled back production to avoid excess inventory heading into 2025.
By the end of November 2024, sales of domestically assembled vehicles reached 159,868 units, according to the Viet Nam Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (VAMA).
It represents a modest 1.6 per cent increase year-on-year and accounts for 59.5 per cent of total car sales in the market.
Despite the moderate growth, the results are noteworthy considering the 2024 registration fee reduction policy lasted only three months, only half the duration of a similar policy in 2023.
Domestic production and sales are expected to grow moving forward, with companies continuing to expand their manufacturing presence in Viet Nam.
These include new Chinese brands entering Viet Nam, including Omoda and Jaecoo of Chery, Geely and Lynk & Co, with factories built in Thai Binh.
Meanwhile, the European brand Skoda began trial runs of its new car assembly and manufacturing plant in Quang Ninh at the end of 2024. This facility will go into commercial operation in early 2025, with a capacity of 120,000 units annually.
In December, Vietnamese automaker VinFast also launched the construction of an electric car factory in Ha Tinh. The new facility will focus on producing the VF 3 and VF 5 models, which are VinFast's best-selling vehicles.
Having domestic manufacturing facilities will secure supply and allow the sector to benefit from state support policies, ultimately boosting sales and helping to turn Viet Nam into an emerging regional hub./.

THUA THIEN-HUE — Various activities have been planned for the “Visit Vietnam Year – Hue 2025” hosted by the central province of Thua Thien-Hue under the theme “Hue- Ancient Capital – New Opportunity”.
Speaking at a press conference held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the provincial People’s Committee on December 31, Chairman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh said the event is expected to promote the values and potential of tourism in Viet Nam in general and Thua Thien - Hue in particular, contributing to turning tourism into a spearhead economic sector.
Within the framework of the "Visit Vietnam Year - Hue 2025" and Hue Festival 2025, there will be four main groups of activities in spring, summer, autumn and winter, featuring over 170 national and provincial events.
There will be four highlights during the year, which are the opening ceremony of the “Visit Vietnam Year - Hue 2025” combined with a fireworks display to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Thua Thien-Hue on the evening of March 25, 2025; an international conference on cultural industries as a foundation for sustainable tourism on March 25, 2025; a culture - tourism festival and a programme to introduce Vietnamese tourism, cuisine, and craft villages, connecting businesses in the European market in June 2025; and the closing ceremony of the “Visit Vietnam Year - Hue 2025” at the end of December 2025.
Other notable events include promoting the “Visit Vietnam Year - Hue 2025” at the international exhibition EXPO 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan from April 25 to May 6, 2025; a series of communication and tourism promotion activities domestically and internationally; an international culinary festival; a cooking competition; and an international conference on Net Zero tourism planned for July - August 2025.
With such activities and events, Thua Thien-Hue expects to attract about 4.8 - 5 million visitors, with international tourists accounting for approximately 38 - 40 per cent of the total visitors, and total tourism revenue reaching around VND10.8 trillion - 11.2 trillion (US$423.57 million – 439.26 million)./.
 

DAK NONG  A newly discovered lava cave in the Central Highlands province of Dak Nong has firmly demonstrated the province's position on the world geological heritage map, experts and authority have said.
The Centre for Investment Promotion, Enterprise Support and Management of Dak Nong Geopark said a group of experts discovered the completely new cave in the Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark Site, after comparing with records of previously known caves.
The group included La The Phuc, PhD, deputy director of the Institute of Applied Geology and Minerals Research, and volcanic cave expert Luong Thi Tuat, according to the centre.
The new cave discovery was announced late last month by the centre, following a ceremony held by the province to celebrate the second time Dak Nong had received UNESCO global geopark recognition.
It has thrown an 'important spotlight' in research and discovery works of the local experts.
The cave, located, about 1,800m from the Nam Blang crater, is quite wide with a flat floor and a sturdy ceiling.

Preliminary tests have shown that the structure of the cave is quite stable and solid, opening it to become part of local tourism development, the experts said.
This discovery not only affirms the continuous research efforts of scientists, but also motivates Dak Nong to continue promoting its tourism potential, attracting domestic and international investors and tourists.
This is a clear demonstration of the province's position on the world geological heritage map, contributing to promoting sustainable socio-economic development associated with the brand "Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark - Land of Melodies", authority has said.
Dak Nong celebrated the second conferment of the UNESCO Global Geopark title for its geopark at a ceremony organised by the provincial People’s Committee [provincial administration] on December 26.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Ho Van Muoi said the Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark holds a critical role in the province’s socio-economic development strategy.
He said that the local authorities prioritise tourism development by promoting the park’s natural advantages, cultural values and unique ecosystems. The work has been identified as one of the three key pillars of the provincial economy. 
In a congratulatory video sent to the event, Guy Martini, general secretary of the Global Geopark Network and chairman of the UNESCO Global Geopark Council, lauded Dak Nong's efforts, and affirmed UNESCO’s commitment to supporting the province in leveraging the title’s values, turning the heritage into a significant resource for sustainable development.
In July last year, the UNESCO Global Geopark designation of the Dak Nong Geopark was validated for another four years from 2024 to 2027.
The designation recognised the province’s efforts to protect and promote the values of the geopark and offers an opportunity to attract resources for sustainable development.
The Dak Nong Geopark was recognised by UNESCO as a global geopark in July 2020, becoming the third geopark in Viet Nam, after Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark in Ha Giang, and the Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark in Cao Bang.
Covering an area of over 4,700sq.km, spanning six districts and towns, an equivalent to two-fifths of Dak Nong’s total area, the geopark is known for its biodiversity, rich tropical forest ecosystem and traces of prehistoric humans.
It boasts approximately 65 geological and geomorphological heritage sites, including nearly 50 caves with a total length exceeding 10,000 metres, volcanic craters, waterfalls and other natural features. Among these, seven sites have been recognised for their international significance./.