Delegates discuss issues related to sustainable development at the ‘Good for Business, Good for Planet’ seminar held in HCM City on Wednesday. — VNS Photo Shifting to green growth would help businesses increase their competitiveness and catch up with trends in the domestic and foreign markets, delegates told a seminar in HCM City on Wednesday. As one of the world's most vulnerable countries to climate change, Viet Nam has made multi-dimensional efforts to drive the whole nation towards its collective goal of reaching net zero greenhouse gasses emissions targets, achieving sustainable development, and contributing to tackle the global climate change crisis, they said. Speaking at the ‘Good for Business, Good for Planet’ seminar held by Nhip Cau Dau Tu magazine, Tim Evans, CEO of HSBC Vietnam, said, “The green journey that Viet Nam has embarked on is bringing both opportunities and challenges. Those businesses who get onboard early can capture major opportunities and build a … [Read more...] about Going green gives businesses a competitive advantage
Arriving from green list country
HSBC Vietnam grants bilateral green loan to REE Corporation
Representatives of HSBC and Ree signed a loan agreement. — Photo coutersy of HSBC HSBC Bank (Vietnam) Ltd is the sole bank to arrange a green loan of VND900 billion for the Refrigeration Electrical Engineering Corporation (REE Corporation). This loan deal will help one of the Vietnamese leading multi-sector corporations complete E-Town 6, a high-rise office building that has earned the LEED Platinum certification for its sustainable design. This is the first time HSBC has arranged a green loan to finance a real estate project for a Vietnamese corporate. The seven-year term loan has reaffirmed HSBC’s leading position in providing sustainable financial solutions to businesses in Viet Nam. To achieve this green financing, REE Corporation completed HSBC’s stringent credit approval and management process of sustainable funding. The process is overseen by HSBC Asia Pacific Sustainable Loans Committee, the dedicated body of the bank with rich experience in successfully arranging … [Read more...] about HSBC Vietnam grants bilateral green loan to REE Corporation
ISHCMC graduates find path to flourish
As one of the leading international schools in Vietnam, ISHCMC has a rich 28-year history of student achievement. The class of 2022 was no exception, with one student, Seoyeon Hong, achieving a perfect score of 45 points in the IB Diploma. Mike Hebert, ISHCMC director of admissions and market growth, said: "The result puts her in the 99.7th percentile among students studying the IB Diploma Program globally. That is a true testament to the education students at ISHCMC are receiving and one that the whole community is proud of." Seoyeon Hong, who achieved a perfect score. Photo courtesy of ISHCMC Another student that has flourished under ISHCMC's educational environment is Junsoo Chung. Junsoo Chung joined ISHCMC in grade 2. Junsoo recounts: "I arrived at school with no English language. On my first day, a classmate shared with me a copy of "Star Wars," that book helped me kickstart my English skills." Junsoo is one of many recent graduates from ISHCMC’s class of … [Read more...] about ISHCMC graduates find path to flourish
Transport ministry clamps down on taxi drivers overcharging at Tân Sơn Nhất Airport
The Ministry of Transport has announced a plan to strengthen inspection and crack down on taxi drivers' illegal practices, such as enticing passengers, overcharging or refusing to take passengers at the country's busiest airport, Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport in HCM City. Taxis enter to pick up passengers at HCM City's Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport. Deputy Minister Lê Anh Tuấn has urged inspectors from the city's Department of Transport, in cooperation with leaders of the Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport and the Southern Airport Authority, to punish taxi drivers who refuse to take passengers, as well as those who impose unreasonably high extra charges. Tuấn has also asked units to arrange pick-up and drop-off areas, creating favourable conditions for buses, taxis, and app-based vehicles to park, pick up and drop off passengers. This is among measures taken to solve the recent overcrowding at the country's busiest airport, with … [Read more...] about Transport ministry clamps down on taxi drivers overcharging at Tân Sơn Nhất Airport
Utilising every opportunity to grow and overcome challenges
At the conference on August 11, MPI Minister Dung said that thanks to the control of the pandemic and the maintenance of macroeconomic stability, the business sector has reported a positive recovery recently. As of July, the whole country had about 871,000 operating enterprises with tax incurred, an increase of nearly 13 per cent compared to 2021. In the first seven months of 2022, the number of enterprises entering and returning to the market, as well as additionally registered capital into the economy, increased sharply. The number of enterprises entering and re-entering the market was over 130,000 enterprises, an increase of 26.8 per cent on-year, 1.4 times higher than the number of enterprises withdrawing from the market. The total registered capital added to the economy in the first seven months of 2022 reached over $143 billion, an increase of over 37 per cent on-year. According to reports from business associations, the market has recovered over 75-85 per cent compared … [Read more...] about Utilising every opportunity to grow and overcome challenges
Foreign tourists upbeat as minister seeks visa waiver expansion
Nguyen Van Hung, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, had proposed earlier this week that Vietnam expands visa exemption for tourists from Australia, Canada, India, New Zealand, Europe, and the U.S. to boost tourism recovery after more than two years of pandemic restrictions. Michael Burger from the U.S., who visited Vietnam in May, said the proposal was definitely a positive step toward making travel to Vietnam easier. "As a regular visitor to Vietnam, I feel delighted to hear this news," Burger told VnExpress International. It would help increase Vietnam's tourism competitiveness among Southeast Asian nations that already exempt American passport holders from having to get a visa for stays of under 30 days. Ken Rafter from Australia said it would be "fantastic news" if Australians are exempted from obtaining a visa prior to visiting Vietnam. "When Vietnam reopened to international tourism in March, my family had a terrible time attempting to obtain visas before our … [Read more...] about Foreign tourists upbeat as minister seeks visa waiver expansion
MerryLand Golf Club expects to be the most ideal golf course
MerryLand Golf Club has unique terrain overlooking the sea, bay, and mountain As general manager of many famous golf clubs all over the world, what brought you to MerryLand Golf Club? The creative design team of Greg Norman and the vision of a high-class developer who is creating a world-class golf club. I believe the vision that Hung Thinh Corporation has for MerryLand Golf Club is truly amazing and I wanted to be part of that journey. The course itself will be quite unique due to the topography and its location along with its integration within MerryLand Quy Nhon. The course will play a little over 7,200 yards from the championship tees and with multiple tee ground options available, the course will be both playable and challenging for golfers of all abilities. The Par 72 course will also provide spectacular views overlooking Mai Huong Bay. What is the difference between MerryLand Golf Club and other golf clubs in Vietnam, which will make golfers visit more than … [Read more...] about MerryLand Golf Club expects to be the most ideal golf course
Direction for disbursement tightened after mixed results
According to the Ministry of Finance, the disbursement of the state budget capital as of the end of July stood at nearly $8.1 billion, accounting for 34.47 per cent of the yearly plan and a slight on-year reduction. Of this, one centrally-run agency and 11 localities reported disbursement at more than 50 per cent, 17 ministries and agencies have reported less than 10 per cent, and the remaining met the national average. Some major infrastructure projects are delayed and costs are only going to go up in that case, Le Toan Specifically, in Ho Chi Minh City, the disbursement of public investment in the first seven months accounted for about 15 per cent of the total allocated capital or almost $1.4 billion. This figure includes $108 million from the central budget and $1.28 billion from local funds. Many important works in the city have yet to expense anything, including one project for green traffic development, a water improvement initiative in the Tau Hu-Ben Nghe-Doi-Te … [Read more...] about Direction for disbursement tightened after mixed results
Dak Lak lays out fruit buffet for domesticated elephants on World Elephant Day
Elephants enjoy a "buffet" of fruit and vegetables marked its World Elephant Day. World Elephant Day, observed on August 12, was created with the main objective of preserving and protecting this animal and seeking solutions to the problem of human-elephant conflict. A project on elephant preservation in Dak Lak, Dong Nai and Nghe An was approved by the Government in 2006. Recently, in Decision No. 413/QD-TTg dated March 31, 2022, the Prime Minister agreed with the project’s adjustment. Under the decision, the elephant conservation plan will be implemented until the end of 2025. Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Administration of Forestry (VNFOREST), Tran Quang Bao said that the country has successfully implemented tasks to manage human-elephant conflicts between elephants and people which often happened in 2009-2012. A wide range of solutions was carried out to prevent and mitigate human-elephant conflicts in the 2010-2020 period, but the self-healing ability and … [Read more...] about Dak Lak lays out fruit buffet for domesticated elephants on World Elephant Day
HCM City, Singapore enhance cooperation on human resources development
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai hosted a reception for Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry on August 11. He affirmed that the cooperation between HCM City and Singapore not only brings benefits to the city but also is an important factor contributing to the common development of Vietnam-Singapore relations. Along with potential fields such as smart city building, urban management and green economy, the city expects to strengthen collaboration and share experience in startup development, helping the city become an innovative start-up centre of the country and the region, the official said. He hoped that Singapore will share experience to improve the dialogue mechanism between the government and foreign businesses in a bid to remove difficulties in the investment process. The city leaders also pledge to create the most favourable conditions for Singaporean enterprises to do long-term business … [Read more...] about HCM City, Singapore enhance cooperation on human resources development