ROBOTACON WRO 2023 is being organised nationwide for the first time Under the theme connecting the world, the ROBOTACON WRO 2023 competition is co-organised by the Embassy of Denmark, Viet Tinh Anh JSC, and LEGO Education. This year, the teams participating in the contest will be divided into groups with tasks under various topics based on current interests from around the world, such as marine life conservation, underwater infrastructure, port automation, and others. According to the Danish ambassador Nicolai Prytz, he is very proud that the Embassy of Denmark is one of the co-organisers of ROBOTACON WRO 2023, the largest and most prestigious competition dedicated to science, technology, and education in Vietnam for students aged 6-19 years. “I believe that this will be a fantastic playground for young Vietnamese people to learn the necessary skills for the 21 st century, such as critical thinking, teamwork, problem-solving, and technology. The competition also … [Read more...] about ROBOTACON WRO 2023 organised nationwide
Campaigning ideas for high school elections
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
Apple’s resilient iPhone sales and Samsung’s dominance amidst declining market
Apple's resilient iPhone sales and Samsung's dominance amidst declining market According to Counterpoint Research, the smartphone market has been impacted by the recent economic difficulties. The report indicates that amidst challenging business conditions, retailers have had to revise their expansion plans and reassess their business strategies. Retail stores have reduced operating hours and lowered salaries due to the reduction in customers since the Lunar New Year. Initially, original equipment manufacturers misjudged the demand, resulting in high inventory levels. Subsequently, realising the actual situation, they rushed to offer discounts to clear the excess stock. All phone manufacturers, except for Apple, experienced a decline in sales in Q1. Glen Cardoza, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research stated, "The recovery of smartphone demand in Vietnam is expected to be slow in the second quarter of 2023 and will require time while the economy continues to face numerous … [Read more...] about Apple’s resilient iPhone sales and Samsung’s dominance amidst declining market
Vietnam’s ‘ultra-rich’ population doubles over five years
The annual Wealth Report by Knight Frank said there were 1,059 "ultra-rich" people in Vietnam in 2022, up from 538 in 2017, an 82% increase. An ultra-rich person is defined by Knight Frank as someone with a net worth of at least $30 million, minus loans. By 2027, the number of ultra-rich people in Vietnam is projected to hit 1,300, a 22% increase from 2022, and a 122% increase over the span of a decade, according to the company’s report. Vietnam’s number of high-net-worth individuals, defined as those with assets worth at least $1 million, has also increased by 70% over the last five years, from 40,971 people in 2017 to 70,000 in 2022. The report projected there would be over 112,200 high-net-worth individuals in Vietnam by 2027, a 173% increase over a decade. The report said the rapidly rising number of wealthy individuals in Vietnam aligns with general trends in Asia, where similar patterns have been seen in countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. In the … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s ‘ultra-rich’ population doubles over five years
How bad debts influence lending rates
Latest figures from the central bank show that in late February the on-balance sheet non-performing ratio of the banking system stood at 2.91 per cent, an increase compared to 2.46 per cent in late 2016, 1.49 per cent in late 2021 and most recently, 2 per cent in late 2022. However, according to a State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) assessment, several sorts of debts have the potential to be turned into bad debts in the future, such as investment into corporate bonds for debt restructuring, hard-to-collect receivables, among others. “If such debts were considered, the non-performing loans (NPLs) ratio of the system might reach 5 per cent of total outstanding balances,” said SBV Governor Nguyen Thi Hong. One positive point is that credit institutions have been taking practical measures to ensure operational safety through boosting their loan loss reserve (LLR) funds for their bad debts . Accordingly, credit institutions have maintained a fairly high LLR ratio approximating … [Read more...] about How bad debts influence lending rates
Binh Thuan province promotes awareness to fight illegal fishing
Fishing vessels are seen at Phu Quy Island in the south central province of Binh Thuan . (Photo: VNA) Binh Thuan (VNA) – The south central province of Binh Thuan is raising public awareness in the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing and the implementation of the 2017 Fisheries Law. The moves come as part of the country's180-day action plan for IUU fishing prevention and control. Since the beginning of this year, the provincial Fisheries Sub-Department has coordinated with localities to organise six classes for 450 fishermen, especially those working on offshore fishing vessels and groups with a high risk of committing to IUU fishing. IUU fishing and illegal fishing in foreign waters. Local vessel owners and captains of offshore fishing ships signed commitments not to violate foreign waters. From July 2019 to June 2021, no fishing boats or fishermen violated foreign waters. However, from mid-2021 until now, there have been eight cases … [Read more...] about Binh Thuan province promotes awareness to fight illegal fishing
State leader hails dedications by Vinh Long revolution contributors
President Vo Van Thuong greets the revolution contributors from Vinh Long province in Hanoi on May 30. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – President Vo Van Thuong had a meeting with a delegation of 70 revolution contributors from the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long in Hanoi on May 30. The Vinh Long delegates include war invalids, those used to be imprisoned by enemies or affected by Agent Orange/dioxin, martyrs’ relatives, and families of revolution contributors. Appreciating the Party, State, and society’s attention and assistance to revolution contributors nationwide, including those in Vinh Long, they said they have always stayed united and made efforts to improve their life, contribute to local and national development, and join hands with authorities in repatriating martyrs’ remains and building, upgrading monuments to martyrs. They pledged to uphold revolutionary traditions, set good examples, and educate younger generations on the traditions so that Vinh Long will … [Read more...] about State leader hails dedications by Vinh Long revolution contributors
Vesak Day 2023: VFF leader visits Buddhist establishments
Vice Chairwoman of the VFF Central Committee Nguyen Thi Thu Ha visits Office 2 of the VBS Central Committee (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – Vice Chairwoman and Secretary-General of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thi Thu Ha visited and congratulated leaders of several Buddhist establishments in Ho Chi Minh City on May 26, on the occasion of Vesak Day, the 2567th birth anniversary of the Buddha. Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) Central Committee in District 3, Ha hailed the VBS for always being an active member of the VFF, making significant and effective contributions to patriotic movements and campaigns launched by the VFF, building new-style rural areas, protecting the environment, coping with climate change, and joining social welfare and charitable endeavors, with noteworthy accomplishments. VNA … [Read more...] about Vesak Day 2023: VFF leader visits Buddhist establishments
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