Every year, at the end of the harvest season, the Si La people begin their Tet celebrations. There is therefore no exact time for Tet, as it depends on when the harvest is completed, which is usually lunar October or November. On the first day of the new year, all Si La families slaughter a pig, whose size depends on the economic conditions in each household. However, it must be a black male pig. The Si La believe that the sooner they slaughter the pig the greater the luck in the new year. After the worshiping ceremony, the family enjoys a meal at the house of the family head. They also take some of the offerings home. The Si La people did not hold any entertainment in the past due to their migratory lives. With the support and encouragement of local authorities, many cultural and sports contests are now held during their new year holiday. People from the ethnic minority group have a deep love of the arts and considers playing and listening to music an indispensable part of … [Read more...] about Unique Tet celebrations of Si La ethnic minority in Lai Chau province
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Vietnam introduces new beauty pageant
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports has approved the organization of the Miss National Vietnam 2023 beauty pageant, which is scheduled to take place until the end of the year. The organizer, Golden Lotus Advertising Commercial JSC, announced the inception of the annual contest at a press conference on Sunday evening. Luong Thuy Linh (L), Miss World Vietnam 2019, Le Nguyen Bao Ngoc (C), Miss Intercontinental 2022, and Nguyen Thu Thuy Tien, Miss Grand International 2021, are introduced as the ambassadors of the Miss National Vietnam 2023 beauty pageant, February 5, 2023. Photo: Hoai Phuong / Tuoi Tre The preliminary round began last month and will last until August. The semifinal will take place in September while the finale is slated for November and December with the participation of 63 contestants. Nguyen Thuc Thuy Tien, Miss Grand International 2021, attends the press conference for the Miss National Vietnam 2023 beauty pageant, … [Read more...] about Vietnam introduces new beauty pageant
Zayed Sustainability Prize opens submissions for 2024 cycle
The awards ceremony of the Zayed Sustainability Prize. — Photo Courtesy Zayed Sustainability Prize The Zayed Sustainability Prize has announced that the 2024 cycle is now open for submissions for candidates from all over the world, including Viet Nam. The prize, which accepts submissions until May 2 through the prize’s online portal, is the UAE’s pioneering global award for recognising excellence in sustainability. Small to medium-sized enterprises, non-profit organisations and high schools with sustainability solutions are invited to submit an entry for consideration in one of the five categories of health, food, energy, water and global high schools. The prize’s US$3 million fund rewards winners US$600,000 in each category. The global high schools category is split into six world regions, with each school able to claim up to $100,000 to start or further expand their project. The Zayed sustainability prize has a three-stage evaluation process, beginning with the due … [Read more...] about Zayed Sustainability Prize opens submissions for 2024 cycle
Vn-Index set for steady growth in 2023
The Government’s active stance to address macro challenges would fuel the stock market development in 2023. The benchmark Vn-Index is forecast to expand by 15% at the end of 2023 to hit 1,160 following a turbulent year for the stock market, according to SSI Securities Corporation (SSI). Investor at a securities company in Hanoi. Photo: Pham Hung The Vn-Index from its peak of 1,530 in early 2022 plummeted to a low of 874 in mid-November, a downturn which experts attributed to major events, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, arrests of business executives for market manipulation, and the Government’s tightening credit into high-risk fields. As of late 2022, however, the market’s price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio was considered quite attractive with an estimated 9.2x, 35% lower than the average rate of 14.16x during the 2009-2022 period. SSI’s latest report also pointed out another positive factor in the expectation of a more stable value of the Vietnamese Dong … [Read more...] about Vn-Index set for steady growth in 2023
AES receives investment policy for Son My power plant
The conference featured Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and top government officials, including minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien. The 2.2GW Son My 2 CCGT power plant will be located in Binh Thuan province. The $1.8 billion plant will have a 20-year contract with the Vietnamese government. Speaking at the conference, Joseph Uddo, president of AES Vietnam said, “The investment policy for Son My 2 CCGT power plant marks a significant milestone enabling us to move ahead with the project. “We are honoured to receive the approval in this significant event today on the action plan to implement Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW of the Politburo, recognising the importance of the power plant project in ensuring energy security, promoting international investment and the socioeconomic development of Vietnam.” Son My 2 complements AES’ investment plans in gas infrastructure in the country and the … [Read more...] about AES receives investment policy for Son My power plant
Vietnam’s rice export prices hit two-year high
Vietnam is enjoying global rice price rises as local exporters are receiving more orders. Vietnam's rice export prices hit two-year high. Illustrative photo The export price of Vietnamese rice on February 5 increased by USD15 per tonne compared to last month, with broken rice prices reaching USD453-473 per tonne, the highest level recorded over the past two years. However, prices were still lower by USD 20 and USD 10 compared to that of Thai and Pakistani rice, respectively. Last December, Vietnamese broken rice enjoyed the world's highest prices, ranging between USD 418-438 per tonne, about USD 20 higher than Thai rice. According to Do Ha Nam, vice chairman of the Vietnam Food Association, rice prices are rising in the first months of 2023 due to the prolonged Ukraine War and the world's fluctuating socio-economic situation. "Some of our big customers including China, the Philippines, and some African countries made larger orders," Nam said. "The … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s rice export prices hit two-year high
Vietnamese PM to pay official visits to Singapore, Brunei
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation will pay official visits to Singapore and Brunei Darussalam from February 8 to 11, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Sunday. The visits will be made at the invitations of Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Brunei Darussalam Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, respectively. This will be PM Chinh’s first visits to these two countries after assuming his prime minister position, and a visit by a Vietnamese prime minister to Singapore after five years and to Brunei Darussalam after 15 years. The visit to Singapore will be paid on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership. The two sides had many high-ranking delegation exchange activities last year, including Vietnamese State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to Singapore in February and Singaporean President Halimah … [Read more...] about Vietnamese PM to pay official visits to Singapore, Brunei
Major quake kills nearly 200 across Turkey, Syria
A 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit Turkey and Syria early on Monday, killing nearly 200 people, levelling buildings while many were still asleep, and sending tremors that were felt as far away as the island of Cyprus and Egypt. The emergency service in Turkey put the initial death toll at 76, although it threatened to climb substantially higher because the night-time disaster had flattened dozens of apartment blocks across major cities. At least 119 people also died in government-controlled parts of Syria, as well as the northern areas held by pro-Turkish factions, according to the health ministry and a local hospital. Television images showed shocked people in Turkey standing in the snow in their pyjamas, watching rescuers dig through the debris of damaged homes. The quake struck at 04:17 am local time (0117 GMT) at a depth of about 17.9 kilometres (11 miles) near the Turkish city of Gaziantep, which is home to around two million people, the US Geological Survey said. Turkey's … [Read more...] about Major quake kills nearly 200 across Turkey, Syria
Vietbank unveils big anniversary promotion
Customers at a Vietbank transaction office in HCM City. — Photo courtesy of the bank The Viet Nam Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank has announced a VND7 billion (nearly US$297,000) promotion targeted at retail customers who have savings deposits, open payment accounts or buy insurance between February 2 and May 1 to mark its 16th founding anniversary. Those making savings deposits of VND25 million ($1,059) or more and meet certain other conditions will instantly get gifts including air fryers, electric grills, porcelain dish sets, bags, water bottles, and e-vouchers worth VND100,000 to VND1 million. Customers also have the chance to participate in a lucky spin on the Vietbank Digital app with thousands of cash prizes ranging from VND20,000 to VND2,222,222. They will then receive codes to participate in a lucky draw at the end of the programme that carries one special prize of a Honda City 1.5RS car, nine first prizes of Honda SH Mode scooters, 25 second prizes of 0.5 … [Read more...] about Vietbank unveils big anniversary promotion
$8 billion to be pumped into Vietnam’s Central Coast
Seven international partners will support the investment in infrastructure, transport, urban development, and climate response. Nearly US$8 billion will be pumped into Vietnam's Central Coast region to support the socio-economic development of the region towards sustainability and climate adaptation. An overview of the signing and awarding ceremony. Photo: Trung Nhan/The Hanoi Times The value was announced at a signing ceremony held on February 5 between the Ministry of Planning and Investment and international partners. Accordingly, the local authorities granted investment certificates and approved investment policies and investment cooperation for domestic and international investors. Among the investment deals, seven development partners are committed to providing a total capital of more than US$1.7 billion in 45 projects. The partners included the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the French Development Agency (AFD), the International Fund for Agricultural … [Read more...] about $8 billion to be pumped into Vietnam’s Central Coast