Cold weather vs hot weather

Downpours cause human and property losses in northern Vietnam. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Hanoi and other northern provinces were inundated following heavy rains on May 23 and 24 that have caused human and property losses. Hanoi's Hoang Mai district recorded rainfall of over 130 mm from May 23 night, followed by Hai Ba Trung district at 100 mm, and Hoan Kiem, Ba Dinh, Dong Da and Long Bien districts at 80 mm. Traffic jams have been seen in Ngo Xuan Quang, Co Linh, Ngoc Lam and Duc Giang roads in Long Bien, and many other streets in the capital city. Downpours, landslides and flooding have caused serious human and property losses to localities. As of 5pm on May 24, the natural disasters killed three in the mountainous provinces of Tuyen Quang and Hoa Binh, and injured four others in Tuyen Quang. Up to 253 houses in Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai, Dien Bien, Lao Cai, Thai Nguyen, Phu Tho, Cao Bang and Hoa Binh provinces were damaged. Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 ha of … [Read more...] about Downpours cause human, property losses in northern Vietnam

Quang Ninh agricultural products are on sale at website dongtrieumart.vn (Photo: baoquangninh.com.vn) Quang Ninh (VNA) – The northern province of Quang Ninh is taking steps to boost high-tech agriculture to cut production costs, increase volumes, and cultivate high-quality farm produce. To realise this goal, farmers are focusing on speeding up the digital transformation, considering it a strategic solution to enhancing the production, quality and competitiveness of agricultural products in domestic and international markets. Dam Ha trade and construction company in Dam Ha district has invested more than 15 billion VND (647,250 USD) to building hydroponic greenhouse vegetable and melon farms, betting on high-tech hydro-growing operations to promote clean agriculture, cut workloads, and standardise quality. Director Nguyen Huu Nhuong said that thanks the newly installed hydroponic systems, the company has enjoyed a production bump of nearly 100 tonnes of melon per year … [Read more...] about Quang Ninh farms turn to tech to grow agriculture sector

Addressing the closing ceremony, he said it was Vietnam’s honor to welcome distinguished guests and more than 10,000 athletes, coaches, and referees to SEA Games 31 - the region’s biggest sporting event. The PM noted the COVID-19 pandemic forced the Games to be delayed from November 2021 to May 2022, but it has made the countries become even closer together, more united, and determined to weather all difficulties and challenges to successfully organize SEA Games 31. The countries gathered at the Games to help affirm ASEAN’s vision and mission of solidarity, peace, friendship, cooperation, and development, according to the Vietnamese leader. Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, said the success of SEA Games 31 was reflected in not only efforts by hosts Vietnam but also other countries’ wholehearted support, the medals, new records, as well as their honesty and nobility, promising a bright future for the region’s sports. … [Read more...] about SEA Games 31 – a demonstration of solidarity, friendship: PM

Hanoi (VNA) – The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency on May 24. - Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai on May 23 led a Vietnamese delegation to attend the 52nd World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting. He proposed the establishment of a food innovation hub for Southeast Asia in Vietnam when addressing the “Averting a Global Food Crisis” session, a panel discussion with World Food Programme Executive Director David Beasley, UAE Climate and Environment Minister Mariam Mohammed Saeed Al Mheiri, Tanzania’s Vice President Philip Isdor Mpango, and CEO of the Swiss agriculture company Syngenta, J Erik Fyrwald. Read full story - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the US Embassy on May 24 co-organised a ceremony to inaugurate the US-Vietnam Cooperation Centre at the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV)’s campus in Hanoi. The new centre is an outcome of the partnership between the embassy’s Public Affairs Section and the DAV which … [Read more...] about ☕ Afternoon briefing on May 24

Businesses across Ho Chi Minh City have increased prices of essentials due to higher production costs despite consumer purchasing power having decreased by up to 25 percent, a survey of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper has shown. Enterprises in Vietnam have issued warnings that food prices will continue to rise unless solutions are found to restrain surging food input costs, including raw materials, gasoline, and animal feed. As a case in point, cooking oil is now being sold 15-20 percent more expensive at supermarkets in Ho Chi Minh City than at the beginning of the year, and 70-90 percent higher than the price of 2020. Notably, Tuong An cooking oil now sells for VND60,000-160,000 (US$2.6-$6.9) per liter, depending on the type, while a set of 10 chicken or duck eggs is offered at VND33,000-VND38,000 ($1.4-$1.64) at traditional markets. The rates are about 20 percent higher than earlier this year, and nearly double those of last year, mostly owing to higher production costs and … [Read more...] about Purchasing power drops, food prices rise in Ho Chi Minh City

Steel wire coil stored at a steel mill in the northern province of Hung Yen. — VNA/VNS Photo Duc Dung Steel prices have been steadily on the decline in the last few weeks as prices for raw materials dropped on the global market, according to the Vietnam Steel Association (VSA). VSA reported prices for iron ore have gone down to US$139 per tonne, a $16 decrease from prices at the beginning of April, and a $71-73 decrease from the record-breaking prices reported in May 2021 at $210-212 per tonne. Meanwhile, prices for steel scrap have also seen a significant drop to $530 per tonne, a $94 decrease from early April. Hot-rolled coil has fallen to $797 per tonne, an $81 decrease. Since the beginning of the year, demand for steel in the domestic market has been high as economic recovery was in full swing. Steelmakers, taking full advantage of robust demand, also raised their prices on the pretext of higher input costs of imported raw materials. However, a sharp fall in demand in … [Read more...] about Steel prices cool down as input costs drop