Locals and visitors to Hanoi in mid-April will be able to immerse themselves in traditional French culture and enjoy exquisite dishes, fine wines, and fresh fruits from France. Vietnam's largest French food festival - Balade en France, or Walk in France - will hold a special edition from April 14 to 16, according to the French Embassy in Vietnam. The poster of the “Balade en France” Festival 2023 This year's festival will be co-hosted by the Embassy and the Hanoi People's Committee, following the success of its two previous editions in 2018 and 2020. It will occur at the Ly Thai To Square and the surrounding area, Speaking at the press conference on March 28, Nicolas Warnery, French Ambassador to Vietnam, said that this large-scale public event is part of celebrating the 50th anniversary of French-Vietnamese diplomatic relations, showcasing French gastronomy. "To celebrate the important milestone of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and France, which … [Read more...] about Balade en France gastronomic festival – Walking in France in the heart of Hanoi
Examples of supporting rd activities
Ho Chi Minh City hotels waiting for int’l guests
Although Vietnam reopened its door to international tourists over a year ago, small and medium lodging facilities in Ho Chi Minh City are still struggling to recover due to the small number of international visitors. Their largest source market is China while the number of guests from the northern neighbor remains modest, forcing many hotels to use their facilities for other purposes or stop leasing spaces. Shutdown, falling room occupancy In District 1, many hotels which used to be crowded with foreign travelers are now empty or have been replaced by other businesses. On Ly Tu Trong Street, a spacious hotel is being repurposed. The hotel is in a prime site, near Ben Thanh Market, Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, and Le Loi Boulevard, once favored by international tourists. Many 'House for Lease' signboards can also be seen along Bui Vien Walking Street and De Tham Street with many of them being hung in front of small, one- and two-star hotels. The director of a chain of … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City hotels waiting for int’l guests
Hurdles still to climb for stock market gain
Vietnam’s stock market system has been improved in recent times through more transparent management, Photo: Le Toan At a seminar in March on the strategy for development of Vietnam’s securities market for this decade, Shimizu Akira, chief representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in Vietnam said it is urgent to improve the fairness and transparency of the domestic market for Vietnam’s stock sector to become a more attractive and efficient capital mobilisation channel. “The Vietnamese government has made strides and implemented swift remedies to the issue, including on the revised Law on Securities and launching the Vietnam Stock Exchange,” Akira said. Based on the proposal of the Vietnamese government, JICA has implemented a technical cooperation project to strengthen the capacity of the State Securities Commission (SSC) and the three stock exchanges through providing practical knowledge and know-how on the regulatory activities in Japan and other … [Read more...] about Hurdles still to climb for stock market gain
New regulation in place to boost Vietnam’s real estate market
A cross-functional team will be set up to work on improving the prospects of the local real estate market. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued a document on solving real estate market problems and improving its prospects. An affordable housing project in Dong Anh District's Thang Long Industrial Park. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times The document, numbered 178/TTg-CN, aligns with Resolution 33/NQ-CP dated March 11, 2023, which provides solutions to develop a healthy, transparent, and sustainable real estate sector. Under the latest document, the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Treasury, the State Bank of Vietnam, and related agencies will set up a working group and work with developers to resolve existing problems and increase confidence in the property market. The Prime Minister has asked the Ministry of Construction to finalize the plan to build one million affordable houses for low-income buyers and workers in industrial parks in … [Read more...] about New regulation in place to boost Vietnam’s real estate market
Vietnam’s foreign investment plunges 39% in Q1
Vietnam attracted nearly 5.45 billion USD worth of foreign investment in the first quarter of the year, down 39% year-on-year, according to the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment. A factory in Dong Nai province's Giang Dien Industrial Zone. (Photo: VNA) Of the three-month figure, over 3 billion USD came from 522 newly-licensed projects, up 62% in a number of projects but down 6% in the amount of capital compared to the same period last year. Some 1.2 billion USD was added to 228 existing ones, representing a yearly hike of 3% in a number of projects and a yearly decline of 70.3% in the capital. However, foreign investors' capital contribution and share purchases rose 4% year-on-year to 798 million USD, the FIA said. Along with the contraction in fresh capital, the disbursed capital also slightly plunged 2.2% from a year earlier to 4.3 billion USD, it noted. The most significant proportion of the period's … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s foreign investment plunges 39% in Q1
Compliance rate rise bodes well for listed companies
Around 68 per cent of listed public companies are complying with minimum legal requirements on independent directors, in which the lowest rate is 30 per cent in the automobile sector, and the highest rate is 100 per cent in banking. Compliance rate rise bodes well for listed companies, illustration photo/ Source: Shutterstock The information was provided in the ‘Independent Directors Survey of Public Companies in Vietnam’ report, compiled by FiinGroup and the Vietnam Independent Directors Association (VNIDA). The survey and the report have been carried out with the primary technical support from the International Finance Corporation through the SECO-funded Vietnam Integrated ESG Programme, and covered 544 companies that have disclosures on independent directors out of 769 companies listed on the Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi stock exchanges. Under 2020 legislation guiding the implementation of the Law on Securities, a listed company’s board is required to have at least … [Read more...] about Compliance rate rise bodes well for listed companies
Australian Energy Mission launched in Hanoi
The Australian Government Trade and Investment Commission cooperated with the Electricity & Renewable Energy Department – Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and Vietnam Electricity Group to organise the Energy Transformation Forum 2023, held in Hanoi on March 28. Participants at the event The event was part of the Australian Energy Mission which comprises a series of activities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City from March 27 - 30 to promote cooperation on renewable energy and to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Australia and Vietnam’s diplomatic relationship. Like Vietnam, the Australian government has made a commitment to climate action, with a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030 and to zero by 2050. The forum will discuss the energy transition of Vietnam and Australia and introduce new energy technologies and solutions from Australia. Speaking at the event, Australia’s Ambassador to Vietnam, Andrew Goledzinowski, said that … [Read more...] about Australian Energy Mission launched in Hanoi
Australia provides energy expertise to Vietnam
The partnership will enable Australian firms to strengthen business links and identify trade and investment opportunities in the energy sector in Vietnam. Australian experts have discussed the energy transition between Vietnam and Australia and introduced new energy technologies and solutions to its Vietnamese partners. Australian energy delegation and Vietnamese partners. Photos: Australian Embassy in Hanoi The discussion, which aims to promote cooperation on renewable energy, is included in a series of activities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City this week launched by the Australian Energy Trade Mission to Vietnam, part of celebrations of the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations. The Energy Transformation Forum was held under the partnership between the Australian Government Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) and Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN). Like Vietnam, the Australian government has made a … [Read more...] about Australia provides energy expertise to Vietnam