Straight Outta Bangkok, running from March 16 until March 25, celebrates an authentic taste of Thailand and stars guest Thai chef Burin Pongchang from the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers Bangkok. Straight Outta Asia is the first culinary event with international guest chefs at Sheraton Saigon Straight Outta Asia casts an extensive array of international guest chefs who have a huge passion for developing their food cultures across the globe. Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea will all be represented. Inspired by the culinary offerings from each region, Straight Outta Asia rolls out the carpet straight to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, and Tokyo, while guests dine right in the centre of downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Chef Burin Pongchang Thai cuisine is featured as the first concept, as it has become tremendously popular in Ho Chi Minh City for its distinctive harmony of contrasting flavours. Through Straight Outta … [Read more...] about Sheraton Saigon launches Straight outta Bangkok
California responsible beverage service training
Malaysia launches Halal Industry Master Plan 2030
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (Source: malaysia kini.com) Jakarta (VNA) – Malaysia launched its Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 (HIMP 2030) on March 23, aiming to become a key player in the global halal market. Speaking at the launch, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi , who is also Chairman of the Malaysian Halal Development Council, said the plan’s theme of “Prominent, Visible and Globalised Halal Malaysia” represents the country’s target of promoting comprehensive growth and developing a robust halal industry ecosystem with more products and services to support future growth. He said one of the priorities for 2023 of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI), the strategic driver for the HIMP 2030, is to expand trade for which halal goods and services could play a more prominent role. The official noted via the HIMP 2030, Malaysia expects its halal industry will reach 113.2 billion USD by 2030 and contribute … [Read more...] about Malaysia launches Halal Industry Master Plan 2030
Travelers struggle with Vietnam’s e-visa procedures
Australian tourist Melissa had planned to fly her family to Vietnam from Bali on December 21 last year. So, she applied for e-visas 10 days in advance. After completing the application, the official Vietnam Immigration Department website stated that "your e-visas will be processed within three working days." A week later, Melissa's application was approved, but the applications for her husband and two children were refused. They were asked to submit new portrait photos. Melissa's family then sent new photos and postponed their travel plans until December 24. But by their new travel date they had yet to receive a response from the immigration department. They decided to still go to the airport on the day of their tickets hoping to get to Vietnam. But the family was refused entry without visas. "The response time is too long. I sent the photos back long ago and today (March 2023, three months since the application) we still haven’t received a reply," she said. Melissa's family … [Read more...] about Travelers struggle with Vietnam’s e-visa procedures
Netflix to establish legal entity in Vietnam
Netflix is making necessary procedures in order to establish its legal entity in Vietnam, said Josephine Choy, vice president and general counsel Asia Pacific at Netflix, during a recent meeting in Hanoi with Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Thanh Lam. Josephine Choy, vice president and general counsel Asia Pacific at Netflix, meets with Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Thanh Lam in Hanoi. She expressed the streaming giant’s hope that competent agencies in the country would create favourable conditions in order for Netflix to complete all procedures and find a legal entity locally in the near future. Lam for his part noted that with its potential in technology and content creation, Netflix would help fuel the development of the film industry and creative economy in Vietnam. He also requested that Netflix urgently set up a group to work closely alongside the Ministry of Information and Communications in order to regularly … [Read more...] about Netflix to establish legal entity in Vietnam
HCM City launches first one-stop model for women, children
Instead of having to go to many places to seek support, women and children who are victims of violence just need to go to a one-stop model for women and children located at Hung Vuong Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City for medical care, and psychological and legal counselling. Launching ceremony of one-stop model for women and children (Photo: VNA) The model, the first of its kind, made its debut on March 24, and will be piloted from now to 2026. It will perform its functions of receiving, screening, treating, consulting, and providing on-site services to patients who are women and children subject to violence and sexual abuse. If an emergency shelter is needed, social workers of Hung Vuong Hospital will refer victims to the City Centre for Social Work - Education and Vocational Training for Youth, located at 14 Nguyen Van Bao street, Ward 4, Go Vap district, for care and nurture, therapeutic intervention and access to other essential services on demand. Le … [Read more...] about HCM City launches first one-stop model for women, children
Deputy defense minister checks units stationed on Tho Chu Island
Particularly, the mission inspected Tho Chau Border Post of the Kien Giang provincial Border Guard Command, Coast Guard Post No.4 of Coast Guard Region 4, Regiment 152 of Military Region 9, and Radar Station 610 of Battalion 551 of Naval Region 5. In 2022 and the first months of 2023, troops of units on Tho Chu Island have grasped and carried out orders on combat readiness, regulatory building, discipline building; well observed guard duty and combat readiness regulations. They have effectively cooperated with local authorities to closely grasp situational development, maintain political stability and public order, protect forest and defense projects, and participate in search and rescue, helping locals people feel secure to fish at sea. While visiting and inspecting units, Gen. Luong inquired after troops’ health and life, their families and listened to their aspiration. At Tho Chau Border Post and Coast Guard Post No.4, the deputy defense minister praised the units for their … [Read more...] about Deputy defense minister checks units stationed on Tho Chu Island
Vietnam, Laos hold 3rd defense policy dialogue
Vietnamese Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and his Lao counterpart Lieutenant General Vongkham Phommakone co-chaired the event. At the dialogue, the two sides shared a common perception on the impacts of regional and global situations, the rise of non-traditional security challenges, major power’s growing competition for influence in Asia-Pacific. They agreed that in that context, ASEAN has continued to promote its centrality in the region, enhance dialogues and cooperation among ASEAN member states and other partners for regional peace and stability. The two sides spoke highly of the outcomes of their bilateral defense cooperation over the past time, especially the successful organization of nearly 30 big and meaningful activities in the Vietnam - Laos, Laos - Vietnam Year of Solidarity and Friendship in 2022. They also praised the two sides’ agencies and units for their great efforts and close coordination to fulfill the cooperation plan for … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Laos hold 3rd defense policy dialogue
Cultural heritage to propel Hanoi’s future development
Hanoi aims to become the leading locality in the development of cultural creative space. The various cultural heritages that exist in Hanoi have significant potential, serving as a foundation and resource for Hanoi's socio-economic growth, particularly in cultural tourism development. Overview of the conference. Photos: Lai Tan/The Hanoi Times Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Ha Minh Hai gave the remarks at an international conference titled “Promoting the role of world cultural and natural heritages in sustainable development for Hanoi” today [March 24]. Cultural heritages as invaluable assets According to Hai, Hanoi is positioned as the political-administrative center of Vietnam and is a significant center for culture, science, education, economy, communication, and international trade. Hanoi is also known as the "Heritage City" and is the leading locality in terms of the number of monuments, he said. “The city’s cultural heritage … [Read more...] about Cultural heritage to propel Hanoi’s future development
Priest discusses challenges to iconic Saigon church renovation
Work began on the VND140 billion (US$5.98 million) project to renovate the 147-year-old Notre Dame Cathedral Basilica in 2017. The project was originally expected to be finished this year, but the completion date has since been pushed back until 2027. Priest Ignatio Ho Van Xuan, head of the church's renovation board, spoke with VnExpress in an exclusive interview about the unexpected challenges and difficulties that have caused the renovation work to drag on much longer than planned. After six years, how is the project going? Currently, the restoration work is 50% complete. It has been carried out on the principle of keeping intact the parts that are still good enough and replacing the parts that are too damaged. To date, no items have been completed. For example, the roof has been beautifully restored, but the gutter system for it has not been completed because the restoration of two bell towers and the metal towers with two crosses must be completed [before installing the … [Read more...] about Priest discusses challenges to iconic Saigon church renovation
Viet Nam’s e-commerce industry changes towards sustainable development: report
E-commerce activities continued to grow by double digits, reaching 28 per cent in 2022. — Photo tapchitaichinh.vn The E-Commerce Industry 2023 Report shows that sustainability will be the development trend of Viet Nam's e-commerce in the future. According to this report, with the theme of Sustainable E-Commerce: Driving the Digital Economy, recently released by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and Lazada, e-commerce is an indispensable activity, playing the role of narrowing the gap between people, businesses and localities and optimising intermediate costs to promote production and business. E-commerce is entering the stage of sustainable and responsible business, experts said in the report. VCCI vice chairman Nguyen Quang Vinh was quoted by the Dien dan doanh nghiep (Business Forum) newspaper as saying that "Business today must create new values, not only economic values. Enterprises need to think beyond economic issues, being social and environmental … [Read more...] about Viet Nam’s e-commerce industry changes towards sustainable development: report