Being one of the best-loved railways in Southeast Asia, Vietnam's North-South Railway, with two ends at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, attracts many travelers. Lonely Planet, the world-renowned travel guide, named Vietnam National Railway the most incredible rail trip in the world. The 1,730-kilometer journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City offers breathtaking views of the country's diverse landscapes, making it a must-see for foreigners coming to Vietnam, the magazine said. "Some railways rattle through historic cities; others swoosh beside spectacular coastlines. A few have an epic history, and one or two are remarkable for the colorful characters onboard. The Reunification Express line, known as the North–South Railway, fulfills all these criteria," it stated. The railway is one of Southeast Asia's best-loved railways and the world's most epic overnight train journeys. It's also one of Vietnam's tourism highlights that attracts many international visitors. … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s Reunification Express named world’s most incredible rail journey: Lonely Planet
25 pm sunset road
Kick-off of the UNESCO-recognized Saint Giong Festival
One of Hanoi's most fascinating and historic events, the festival is a tribute to Saint Giong, one of Vietnam's four immortals. The 2023 Giong Festival kicked off last week at Phu Dong Temple in Hanoi's suburban Gia Lam district. The festival's opening ceremony also marked the recognition of Phu Dong Commune as a new rural area. The opening ceremony of the Giong Festival at Phu Dong Temple in Phu Dong Commune of Gia Lam District. Photo: Hoang Quyet/The Hanoi Times Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Duc Hong, Vice Chairman of Gia Lam District People's Committee, said the district is an ancient land of cultural convergence of Thang Long (original name of Hanoi) and Kinh Bac (an old name designating the northern provinces of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang) and the holy place where Saint Giong was born. "The festival is in commemoration of Saint Giong, or Heavenly King of Phu Dong, who led the country against foreign invaders during the reign of the Sixth Hung King. The … [Read more...] about Kick-off of the UNESCO-recognized Saint Giong Festival
HCMC cops snatch phone snatchers in high-speed chase
Nguyen Cong Thuan, 27, and Duong Le Tuyen Tai, 28, were both arrested on Monday. It all began when officers received reports of a phone-snatching on Nhat Tao Street in District 10 on May 19. After analyzing nearby camera footage, investigators were able to identify the suspects via their license plate numbers. When special forces found Thuan and Tai riding two motorbikes in Hoc Mon District, the pair was exhibiting signs of looking for potential victims. Officers from the special forces stopped the two men for questioning. Tai was apprehended while Thuan tried to escape on his motorbike. A high-speed chase ensued throughout Hoc Mon. Police eventually cornered Thuan at the side of a road and incapacitated him. At the police station, Thuan and Tai admitted to having stolen the phone on May 19. They also admitted to having snatched belongings in two other District 10 cases. … [Read more...] about HCMC cops snatch phone snatchers in high-speed chase
Truck rams through traffic light, killing one
At around 7 p.m., numerous vehicles were stopped at a traffic light at the Thuan An Hoa-My Phuoc-Tan Van intersection in Thuan Giao Ward. A truck then came from behind and rammed into the rows of vehicles. Three motorbikes were heavily damaged by the impact. A 20-year-old man died on the spot. Two other people were rushed to the hospital. Nearby vegetable stalls were also damaged in the incident. "I was sitting inside my house when I heard a loud crash. When I ran outside, I heard screams and saw 2-3 people lying on the road," a witness said. The accident caused a traffic jam, and police officers were dispatched to barricade the area. My Phuoc - Tan Van is a more than 40-km road connecting the center of Binh Duong, a major industrial hub, with Dong Nai, Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provinces and HCMC. It is often used by many trucks and prone to traffic accidents. … [Read more...] about Truck rams through traffic light, killing one
T&T Group and DB Group form strategic partnership to fuel investment opportunities
A delegation from Vietnam’s T&T Group, led by chairman of the board Do Quang Hien, embarked on a visit to the headquarters of DB Group, a prominent economic powerhouse in South Korea, on May 25. Under this comprehensive accord, T&T Group and DB Group will support each other's endeavours with the shared goal of becoming leaders in Vietnam's thriving insurance sector. Additionally, the two groups have committed to jointly exploring and executing ventures across multiple other industries. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Do Vinh Quang, vice chairman of the Board of Directors and Deputy CEO of T&T Group, highlighted the shared vision of both companies to excel in Vietnam's insurance sector. Recognising the potential in other areas such as finance, asset management, IT, and real estate, Quang emphasised the importance of leveraging these strengths to achieve sustainable growth for both conglomerates. He expressed confidence, stating, “This strategic collaboration will … [Read more...] about T&T Group and DB Group form strategic partnership to fuel investment opportunities
Vietnam, Laos promote technological cooperation, technology transfer
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (R) receives visiting Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha received visiting Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara in Hanoi on May 29. Welcoming agreements signed between the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) and the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communications, Ha expressed his wish that the two sides will actively promote cooperation and technology transfer so that Vietnam and Laos can jointly implement digital and green transformation as soon as possible. With its potential for renewables such as hydroelectricity, wind power and solar power, Laos can become a centre of clean energy, he stated, adding that this is one of the factors that determine the level of attraction for investors in the future. Regarding digital transformation, the Deputy PM appreciated the results that the information and … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Laos promote technological cooperation, technology transfer
NA deputies continue to discuss draft laws, resolutions on May 30
An overview of the NA's fifth session. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly (NA) deputies will continue their ongoing fifth session on May 30 discussing important matters, including a draft Law on Electronic Transactions (revised) and a draft resolution on pilot special policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City. The draft Law on Electronic Transactions (revised) has seven chapters and 54 articles. Compared to the current version, the bill has 31 new and nine amended articles, while erasing a number of regulations in five and eliminating three articles. During the morning discussion, NA deputies will decide the investment policy for the project to construct road from National Highway 27C to Road 656 in Khanh Hoa province which links to Lam Dong and Ninh Thuan provinces, as well as the adjustment of the investment policy for Ka Pet reservoir in Ham Thuan Nam district of Binh Thuan province. In the afternoon, they are scheduled to listen to a proposal and a … [Read more...] about NA deputies continue to discuss draft laws, resolutions on May 30
A hot dog that isn’t a hot dog in Vietnam
Living in Vietnam can bring moments of total pleasure and those of total wonder. When is a hot dog not a hot dog? Well, that answer came to me through experience some 10 years ago when I began my teaching career here in Vietnam. It was only weeks after I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City to start a new life journey and I had already experienced my first episode of 'Vietnam Belly.' I wasn’t feeling all that great and I found that the local food and cheap beer just weren’t what my body wanted. I met a fellow Australian expat who introduced me to his employer – a major name in Vietnam’s teaching industry. Despite my unreliable health, I interviewed with the company. I was just hoping things would hold themselves together long enough to get the job, and they did. When I found out I got the job, my only thoughts were about how much I hoped I would be able to recover by the time I started classes. Early the next morning, my phone rang. It was the school asking if I could cover a class … [Read more...] about A hot dog that isn’t a hot dog in Vietnam
Central bank demands stronger promotion of cashless payment
A customer uses QR code for payment at Con market in the central city of Da Nang. — VNA/VNS Photo Van Dung The State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) has requested banks, branches of foreign banks, and providers of intermediary payment services to take steps to continue promoting cashless payments and the implementation of the national digital transformation programme. The move is also set to help with the plan on developing the application of resident data and electronic identification and authentication to serve national digital transformation for the 2022 - 25 period, with a vision to 2030. In its Document No 3956/NHNN-TT, the SBV asked banks, foreign banks’ branches, and intermediary payment service providers to continue considering and offering preferential programmes and policies on payment and intermediary payment service fees to customers, and exempt account maintenance fees as well as cash withdrawal fees for the customers entitled to the social security policy. They were told … [Read more...] about Central bank demands stronger promotion of cashless payment
Prime Minister visits educational institutions for disadvantaged children
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presents gifts to teachers and students of SOS Hermann Gmeiner School. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on May 30 visited educational institutions for disadvantaged children in Hanoi on the occasion of International Children’s Day (June 1) and Action Month for Children. At the SOS Hermann Gmeiner School, established in 1994 with its construction funded by the SOS Children’s Village, Chinh presented gifts to the school and its outstanding students. The school was named after Austrian philanthropist Hermann Gmeiner – the founder of the SOS Children’s Village, which is home to underprivileged children. It provides primary and secondary education for children in the SOS Children’s Village Vietnam, those belonging to poor households and other vulnerable children. The government leader also made a field trip to a centre for integration education development under the National College for Education, which admits more … [Read more...] about Prime Minister visits educational institutions for disadvantaged children