100 sustainable homes

Through IFC's new investment, SeABank expects to at least double the number of lower and mid-end housing loans by 2026. — Photo courtesy of the bank IFC on Tuesday announced it has invested US$100 million in Southeast Asia Commercial Joint-Stock Bank (SeABank) which aims to boost access to housing loans. With a rapid annual urbanisation rate of 3 per cent, half of the Vietnamese population – about 50 million people – is expected to live in urban areas by 2040. This creates the need for an estimated 374,000 additional housing units every year. However, the limited availability of long-term funding has restricted access to housing finance, especially challenging for lower and middle-income homebuyers, who need longer-term funding due to low levels of income. Through the investment, SeABank expects to at least double the number of lower and mid-end housing loans by 2026. In addition, the project is expected to create thousands of new jobs in construction and other related sectors. … [Read more...] about IFC invests another $100m in SeABank to boost access to housing loans

In an interview with the press ahead of the PM’s trip from February 8-11, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet stressed that the relations between Vietnam and the two countries are based on a lot of similarities in politics, economy, culture, and people-to-people exchange. The trip is of great significance, he said, noting that this is the first by Pham Minh Chinh in his new position that aims to manifest the consistent policy of prioritizing relations with neighboring countries and ASEAN, as set at the 13th National Party Congress. He added that this is also the first official visit by a leader of the Vietnamese government to Singapore over the past five years, and to Brunei over the past nearly 16 years. Therefore, the visits are expected to deepen the strategic partnership with Singapore, an important economic partner of Vietnam, and the comprehensive partnership with Brunei, also a promising economic partner, according to the official. For Singapore, the visit … [Read more...] about Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s Singapore, Brunei visits look toward cohesive ASEAN

A ceremony to name the new born elephant was held on February 2 with the name “Bao Ngoc” (valuable gem) was chosen. Vietnamese Ambassador to  Germany Vu Quang Minh said that the baby elephant is an icon of the Vietnam-Germany friendship. Elephant Voi Nam was born in 2002, marking a big event for the Leipzig Zoo as the zoo’s elephant herb had a new member after 66 years. Voi Nam and female elephants which are all from Asian countries last year gave births to two elephants and are expected to welcome two others in the next few weeks. Thomas Guenther, director in charge of Asian species at the zoo, said that the protection of species, especially the conservation of endangered species, is an important task. In some tropical countries, forest elephants have been listed in the red book, and are also one of the most endangered wildlife species in the world. The mating of elephants of Vietnamese origin with those from countries with the same ecosystem is both a measure to maintain … [Read more...] about Baby elephant Bao Ngoc – an icon of Vietnam-Germany friendship

Attending the 77th U.N. General Assembly (UNGA 77)’s plenary on Secretary-General António Guterres’s priorities in 2023, the UNGA 77 Vice President also called on the international community to join efforts to implement the sustainable development goals (SDGs), the 2030 Agenda and other global commitments and priorities, through respecting the U.N. Charter and international law. It is important to address conflicts by peaceful means, boost multilateral cooperation, strengthen financial support and reform of the international financial system, ensure resources for sustainable development, and pay more attention to climate change and justice, he emphasized. The diplomat also reaffirmed the country’s backing for the U.N. Secretary-General’s role and efforts, and its commitment to maintaining close collaboration with other U.N. member states. Guterres expressed his concerns about the complicatedly developing world situation, with multi-dimensional challenges from the lingering … [Read more...] about Vietnam reaffirms support for U.N. Secretary-General’s role, efforts

The following is the full text of the interview. Reporter: This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and 10th anniversary of strategic partnership between Singapore and Vietnam. How do you evaluate the Singapore-Vietnam relations in the past half century, especially in the last decade? What should the two countries do to further our bilateral cooperation and to advance the development of each country? Vivian Balakrishnan: The ties between Singapore and Vietnam have grown from strength to strength since we established diplomatic relations 50 years ago. We are longstanding friends and close partners that enjoy wide-ranging cooperation in many areas, both bilaterally and at multilateral fora. I am heartened that the bilateral relationship has continued to expand and evolve to tackle new challenges over the past decade. Our linkages are particularly strong in trade and investment. The 12 Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) across Northern, Central, … [Read more...] about Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to enhance Singapore-Vietnam relations: Singaporean Foreign Minister

Captain and vessel owner Le Quang Anh of Tam Hai commune, the province’s Nui Thanh district, said that before any fishing trip, he brings documents to Ky Ha port border guard station for registration. The documents include the list of crewmembers, their working positions, hull insurance contract, crew insurance, and the vehicle's license plate. He said that in addition to bringing along fishing equipment and tools, fishermen must fully comply with regulations on the at-sea fishing process following the Law on Fisheries. For offshore fishing vessels, these requirements are much stricter to restrict their operation in other countries' fishing grounds. Local authorities, border guards, coast guards, and fisheries surveillance forces regularly tell fishermen about the legal process of sea fishing, and this make them better aware of obeying relevant regulations. Anh said that offshore fishing vessels in the district are required to install kinds of necessary equipment including … [Read more...] about Quang Nam fishermen pledge to implement regulations against IUU fishing

ASEAN countries like Vietnam are not spared from the impact of climate change. Rapid economic development also means increasing demand for energy and power to meet the pace of growth, which leads to an increase in CO2 emissions. The journey to a cleaner future Takeshi Masuyama, Managing director, regional head of Vietnam, MUFG Bank, Ltd. The Vietnamese government has announced in various international forums its commitment to address environmental issues, and has firmed up its national net-zero target. In addition, the announcement of the Vietnam Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in last December is another milestone and will further rally the private and public sectors towards accelerating the country’s green transition. MUFG is part of the working group convened by the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) supporting the JETP initiative for Vietnam. The sustainability mission Since announcing our Carbon Neutrality Declaration in 2021, MUFG … [Read more...] about Committed to empowering a brighter future

Vietnamese start-up project Monkey Junior has received two international certificates, including kidSAFE Certified (KSP) and Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA). The KSP is an independent safety certification service and seal-of-approval programme that is designed exclusively for children-friendly websites and technologies, including online game sites, educational services, virtual worlds, social networks, and mobile apps. Furthermore, the MCA evaluates products and services which have been created for children, families, and educators. The programme is globally recognised and is considered as the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products, and services. The organisation is based in the United States and has reviewed thousands of entries from more than 60 countries worldwide. Monkey Junior was first developed by Dao Xuan Hoang who integrated multimedia content, including funny and exciting photos, videos, and audio, in order to help toddlers and kids learn … [Read more...] about English learning app receives two international certificates

In a ceremony held on Tuesday by the Ministry of National Defence, seven additional military officers were officially dispatched on United Nations peacekeeping missions. Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoàng Xuân Chiến hands over the State President's decision on Vietnamese military peacekeepers. Among those officers, two will be sent to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), four to the United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), and one will serve at the UN mission in Central Africa, replacing their predecessors who have completed their term. At the ceremony, four officials who successfully completed their tasks on UN peacekeeping missions were welcomed home. “Today, seven officers received the State President’s Decision and the Decision of the Ministry of Defence to go on duty at the United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in the Central African Republic, South Sudan and the Abyei Area,” said Major General Hoàng Kim … [Read more...] about Seven military officers join UN Peacekeeping Mission

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit to Singapore aims to affirm both nations’ desire to take their economic connectivity to new heights in the context of a series of new-generation free trade agreements (FTAs) coming into effect and being implemented. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) and his Singaporean counterpart Lee Hsien Loong PM Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam will pay an official visit to Singapore from February 8 to 10 at the invitation Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong. The visit takes place amid the dynamic and strong development of the Vietnam - Singapore strategic partnership across multiple fields. This year will see the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership. In 2022, the exchange of delegations and high-level meetings between the two countries was maintained both regularly and effectively. This saw a trip to Singapore by … [Read more...] about PM’s Singapore visit to take economic co-operation to new heights