International volunteers from Habitat for Humanity have joined the “Vietnam Big Build 2016” project to build houses for 20 poor families in Tam Nong district, northern Phu Tho province. The project drew the participation of more than 200 volunteers from Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Australia, United States, New Zealand and Vietnam. International volunteers build houses for the poor in Phu Tho (Photo: habitatvietnam.org) On the occasion, Habitat for Humanity also supports 45 million VND (2,000 USD) for families of the project. Habitat for Humanity is a non-government organisation which has operated in Vietnam for 15 years. The organisation supported more than 13,600 low-income households nationwide. In Phu Tho, the organisation carried out some projects to build and repair houses, construct clean water and environmental sanitation works, and provided community-based training course for families from difficult backgrounds in Yen Lap and Cam Khe districts. … [Read more...] about International volunteers build houses for the poor in Phu Tho
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Huawei unit ships Chinese-made surveillance chips in fresh comeback sign
The shipments to surveillance camera manufacturers from the company's HiSilicon chip design unit started this year, according to one of the sources, and a third source familiar with the industry supply chain. One of the sources briefed on the unit said at least some of the customers were Chinese. Huawei also unveiled new smartphones in recent weeks that use advanced chips, which analysts say are domestically made. The developments indicate the Chinese tech giant is overcoming Washington's export controls, which since 2019 have barred it from obtaining components and technology from U.S. firms without approval. "These surveillance chips are relatively easy to manufacture compared to smartphone processors," said the source familiar with the surveillance camera industry's supply chain, adding that HiSilicon's return would shake up the market. A key factor is that the company appears to have worked around U.S. restrictions on chip design software. Huawei in March announced it had … [Read more...] about Huawei unit ships Chinese-made surveillance chips in fresh comeback sign
Businesses’ intrinsic strength – key to socio-economic development
Jonathan Pincus, UNDP Senior International Economist, said Vietnam should give fresh impetus to national innovation and invest big in research and development (R&D) activities with a view to improving labor productivity in long term. He added that Vietnam’s spending on R&D activities, a measure to evaluate the ability to better labor productivity, has lagged behind that in China, Thailand and Malaysia. Besides, rational mechanisms should be put in place to lure leading Vietnamese scientists to domestic institutes and universities, he said, highlighting they will make practical contributions to the national development. Low worker productivity has hampered economic recovery post pandemic, other experts said, pointing a shortage of employees with substantial experience and skills, and a large number of micro and small businesses as major reasons. While government policies to renew the growth model and enhance innovation in science and technology have created favorable … [Read more...] about Businesses’ intrinsic strength – key to socio-economic development
World Safety and Operations Conference kicks off in Hanoi
The three-day conference is being held by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) with Vietnam’s national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines acting as the host. Themed “Leadership in Action: Driving Safer and More Efficient Operations,” the event has brought together more than 800 delegates from airlines worldwide and international organizations in the aviation sector. Deputy PM Quang stressed that the Vietnamese Government has regarded the aviation sector as one of the economic engines that plays an important role in promoting trade and economic ties and tourism development. For his part, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang briefed the participants on achievements reaped by the Vietnamese aviation sector, saying no commercial airplane accidents have been reported over the past 25 years, and all of the domestic airlines have received operational safety certificates from the IATA. Dang Ngoc Hoa, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam Airlines, highlighted the … [Read more...] about World Safety and Operations Conference kicks off in Hanoi
Dozens of nations to sign U.N. ocean treaty but implementation still awaits
A new U.N. treaty to protect the world's oceans is expected to be signed by dozens of countries on Wednesday, another step in the efforts to reverse the damage done to fragile marine environments by overfishing and other human activities. The global pact to conserve biodiversity on the high seas was finally agreed in March and formally adopted by the United Nations in June. It is seen as a crucial tool to meet a target agreed last year to protect 30% of the earth's land and sea by 2030, known as "30 by 30". At least 60 countries are expected to sign the agreement at the annual United Nations General Assembly on Wednesday. However, it still needs to be ratified on a national level before it goes into effect. Mads Christensen, interim executive director of Greenpeace International, described the signings as a "powerful signal" and help maintain momentum to meet the "30 by 30" target. "But this signing is a purely symbolic moment," he said. "Now politicians must bring the treaty … [Read more...] about Dozens of nations to sign U.N. ocean treaty but implementation still awaits
War crimes tribunal ICC says it has been hacked
THE HAGUE -- The International Criminal Court (ICC) said on Tuesday its computer system had been hacked, a breach at one of the world's most high-profile international institutions and one that handles highly sensitive information about war crimes. The ICC said it had detected unusual activity on its computer network at the end of last week, prompting a response that was still ongoing. A spokesperson declined to comment on how serious the hack was, whether it has been fully resolved, or who might be behind it. "Immediate measures were adopted to respond to this cybersecurity incident and to mitigate its impact," the ICC said in a short statement. The ICC is the permanent war crimes tribunal in the Dutch city of The Hague, established in 2002 to try war crimes and crimes against humanity. Prosecutors at the court are currently conducting 17 investigations into situations in Ukraine, Uganda, Venezuela, Afghanistan and the Philippines, among others. Highly sensitive documents at … [Read more...] about War crimes tribunal ICC says it has been hacked
Friendship, mutual trust drive Vietnam – Japan relations: Japanese Foreign Minister
She made the remark in a recent interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (September 21, 1973 - 2023). She said that over the last 50 years, the countries have developed relations in all fields thanks to tireless efforts by predecessors. One of the most important milestones of bilateral ties, which are now in their prime, was the elevation of relations to the “extensive strategic partnership” in 2014. Since then, Japan and Vietnam have been building strategic connections in more areas, Kamikawa went on, adding that from focusing only on economic affairs like official development assistance (ODA) provision, bilateral cooperation has been fostered in such fields as security, energy, and human resources development in Vietnam, helping enhance mutual trust between the two countries. The official noted that in this year, which marks the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, the two countries have … [Read more...] about Friendship, mutual trust drive Vietnam – Japan relations: Japanese Foreign Minister
Int’l conference discusses Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia cooperation in digital economy
The event was co-organized by the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences (LASES), and Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC). Addressing the conference, VASS President Dr. Phan Chi Hieu said the promotion of the digital economy is considered one of the key tasks to accelerate the restructuring of an economy, associated with innovation in the growth model and the improvement of growth quality, aiming to help a nation escape the middle-income trap and move towards the goal of becoming a developed industrialized country. The trend comes with opportunities and challenges for nations involved, including Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, in their development and expansion of investment and commercial collaboration, he noted. LASES President Dr. Sonethanou Thammavong said the conference boasts an important theme, reflecting the countries’ readiness to build their digital-transformation-oriented socio-economic infrastructure. Laos' digital … [Read more...] about Int’l conference discusses Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia cooperation in digital economy
Da Nang Startup and Innovation Festival slated for late September
Addressing a press conference on September 19, Vice Director of the department Le Thi Thuc said a Da Nang – Seoul innovation space will be launched at the event, aiming to connect the innovation startup ecosystems of Da Nang and the Korean city. At this event, at least 10 potential startup projects and five scientific and technological solutions will be presented, targeting to connect the supply and demand between startups and investors. Domestic and international speakers and experts will join together in seminars on building Da Nang into an innovative city, attracting capital inflows for innovative start-ups, and boosting international integration of the local innovation startup ecosystem in the context of globalization, Thuc said. Furthermore, a number of other programs and events will be organized in the framework of the SURF 2023, including an innovation startup exhibition using a virtual reality platform with about 100 participating booths, and an innovation startup … [Read more...] about Da Nang Startup and Innovation Festival slated for late September
Symposium discusses Vietnam – Japan economic cooperation growth
Held to mark the 50th anniversary of the nations’ diplomatic ties, the event was co-organized by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). In his opening speech, Assoc. Prof., Dr. Hoang Van Nghia, head of the HCMA’s international cooperation department, praised Japan's role in Vietnam's multifaceted economic development. Japan's contribution has helped Vietnam maintain a trajectory of stable growth, driven by the far-reaching impacts of foreign direct investment (FDI). Projects with Japan's support in terms of finance, experts and technology have assisted Vietnam in switching from a model heavily reliant on capital and labor to one with a robust export-oriented structure. Sugano Yuichi, Chief Representative of JICA in Vietnam, said the symposium is part of the JICA CHAIRS program, which has been executed since 2020 to disseminate valuable lessons and experience garnered from Japan's socio-economic development journey. … [Read more...] about Symposium discusses Vietnam – Japan economic cooperation growth