Participants at a recent workshop on promoting Ha Noi's handicrafts and OCOP products in Thach That District. — VNA/VNS Photo In recent years, craft villages in Ha Noi's Thach That District have played an important role in economic restructuring, job creation, and income increase for workers. To help craft villages promote their effectiveness, Thach That District has supported them in participating in the One Commune One Product (OCOP) Programme to promote brands and improve the quality and value of their products. Kieu Duc Hoc from Dai Viet Arts Export Co in Binh Phu Commune, Thach That District said local bamboo and rattan craft villages have a long history and are famous for hundreds of products with beautiful and exquisite designs. Many of them have been recognised as OCOP products, such as his firm's Binh Phu rattan and bamboo products which have been exported to many countries such as Japan, China, South Korea, the Netherlands, and Germany thanks to their high … [Read more...] about Ha Noi’s Thach That District strives to better connect craft villages with OCOP
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Deputy PM stresses need to encourage use of electric vehicles
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha stressed the need to incentivise the conversion of fossil fuel-powered vehicles to electric vehicles and other types of clean energy . In his conclusions made at a meeting discussing the application of preferential electricity prices at electric vehicle charging stations, Ha said that the transition to green economic development is an inevitable trend and a goal that Vietnam is pursuing. It will also create opportunities for Vietnam to become a pioneer in the region in terms of green growth and recovery, thus keeping pace with the new development trends of the world, he added. The Deputy PM asked the Ministry of Transport to collaborate with the Ministries of Natural Resources and Environment, Finance, Industry and Trade, Planning and Investment, Science and Technology, and Justice; and related agencies to study international experience, conduct a comprehensive analysis of various … [Read more...] about Deputy PM stresses need to encourage use of electric vehicles
Avoiding catastrophe, awaiting anxieties
Both the governing side and the political opposition must do their best and, at most, prevent being seen in the eyes and minds of US voters. At the end of their common race against the time, US President Joe Biden and House Speaker Kevin McCarthy from the Republican Party finally, and still just in time, reached the final agreement on a deal to raise the nation's debt ceiling, thus, according to Joe Biden, preventing "the worst possible crisis, a default, for the first time in the US's history," because it takes "the threat of a catastrophic default off the table." Their deal now would be sent to be passed by the House. Biden and McCarthy in Washington on March 17. Photo: AP This news was both new and nothing new. Since 1917, when the US Congress enacted the original debt ceiling legislation, the federal government and the House have crashed 102 times on the issue of increasing limits on the national debt, among them 72 times only since 1960. But … [Read more...] about Avoiding catastrophe, awaiting anxieties
Vietnamese Government urged to ban e-cigarettes
Vietnam has the 15th largest population of smokers in the world, and approximately 40,000 people die each year from diseases caused by smoking. National lawmakers have called on the Government to ban all e-cigarette products in Vietnam soon, citing health concerns. A no-smoking sign is labeled at a bookstore in Hanoi. Photo: Văn Sinh/The Hanoi Times The Government should amend the Law on Tobacco Harm Prevention and related regulations to stop the trade, circulation and use of e-cigarettes in Vietnam, Hanoi deputy Nguyen Anh Tri said on June 1. All these actions should be dealt with under the Penal Code, he said. Tri said new generations of cigarette products, including e-cigarettes, may contain illegal drugs and cause severe damage to people's health. However, he said, hardly anything was done to prevent these products from adversely affecting society. He called on the government to reduce the smoking rate to 30% by 2030. "The Government needs … [Read more...] about Vietnamese Government urged to ban e-cigarettes
Australian Prime Minister’s Vietnam visit to give impulse to bilateral ties: Ambassador
In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents in Sydney ahead of the Prime Minister's trip from June 3-4, Thanh said the visit takes place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties and the 5th anniversary of the strategic partnership. This is the second official visit to a Southeast Asian nation by Albanese since he took office, and the third to Vietnam by an Australian Prime Minister, the ambassador said, noting that the trip shows Prime Minister Albanese’s administration attaches importance to Vietnam. Thanh also recalled the visit to Vietnam by Australian Governor-General David Hurley in April, which was his only State-level visit to a Southeast Asian nation, and another trip to Vietnam by Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell in the same month. In June 2022, Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong selected Vietnam as the first ASEAN country to pay an official visit. … [Read more...] about Australian Prime Minister’s Vietnam visit to give impulse to bilateral ties: Ambassador
Celebs favor crop tops this summer
Crop top is one of the trends loved by celebrities around the world in summer because of its design, which is suitable for hot weather and holidays. The 2018 Miss Vietnam Tran Tieu Vy is just one of many Vietnamese celebs who have embraced crop tops. When Vy went on vacation in early May, she wore an all-white outfit with a crop top, summer suit jacket and shorts. When Vy attended a concert of famous K-pop girlgroup Blackpink in Thailand on May 29, she wore a Y2K outfit with a super short skirt and a purple crop top. Also wearing a Y2K outfit, model Hoang Thuy posed with a darker look with a cropped T-shirt, cargo pants and chunky boots. Influencer Huyen Baby showed off a sexy fit in New York with a purple crop top, shorts and cardigan, all from Balmain. The 2019 Miss World Vietnam Luong Thuy Linh wore a typical summer fit with a baby blue open-waist dress. The 2021 Miss Grand … [Read more...] about Celebs favor crop tops this summer
Cooking gas prices fall in June
The retail prices of Petrolimex gas (including VAT) in June in Hanoi is VND371,600 ($15.82) per 12 kg cylinder; down VND33,640. Nghiem Xuan Cuong, head of the Commercial and Civil Gas Sales Department under Petrolimex Gas JSC said that the average contract gas price in the world in June is at $445 per tonnes, down $110 per tonnes compared to May. From the beginning of the year, the retail gas prices in the domestic market have declined four times in January, March, April, and June and increased twice in February and May. On the world market, at 8 am on May 31, the price of gas futures contracts delivered in July 2023 is at $2,319 per mmBTU, down $0.004 per mmBTU due to falling demand for natural gas in Europe as the winter is over and demand for electricity in summer peak has not yet begun. Gas consumption by industries also weakened. According to data from Gas Infrastructure Europe, as of May 24, natural gas storage sites in the EU was 66.71% full. … [Read more...] about Cooking gas prices fall in June
People struggle to find jobs amid tanking economy
The government's Private Economic Development Research Board did a survey along with VnExpress on the situation of employees this year at the end of April, polling 8,343 people. It found 31% unemployed, and of them, 53% had worked in real estate, 44% in construction and 43% in hospitality. The highest unemployment rates were reported in Ho Chi Minh City, its neighboring provinces of Dong Nai and Binh Duong and the central city of Da Nang (all over 30%). As for reasons for joblessness, 15% suffer because of lack of foreign language skills and 12% because they lack qualifications. But the main reason is the unfavorable economic situation, which has hit businesses hard. More than 32% said they are jobless because their employer closed down temporarily or for good or went bankrupt, and 27% said they were laid off because their company had no orders and had to downsize. The survey was done in late April 2023 on various aspects like employment, underemployment, housing status, … [Read more...] about People struggle to find jobs amid tanking economy
Vietnam tourism forecast to see robust growth as visa restrictions relaxed: HSBC
"With the approaching summer holidays and potential easing of visa restrictions, which are under considerations by the National Assembly, Vietnam will likely see a punchier boost from international tourism, a much-needed support for its sharply slowing economy," HSBC said in a report. Vietnam has received 4.6 million international tourists so far this year, around 60% of this year’s target of 8 million. In May alone, it received over 916,000 foreign tourist arrivals. Despite falling slightly from April’s figure, Vietnam has seen its inbound tourism recovery reach around 70% of pre-pandemic levels. Tourists from China, the biggest feeder market of Vietnam’s tourism before the pandemic, have recovered to 35% of pre-pandemic levels. Legislators will vote on new bill on June 24 that seeks to extend the validity of e-visas from 30 days to a maximum of three months and allow multiple entries, and triple to 45 days the duration of visa-free stays for tourists from certain … [Read more...] about Vietnam tourism forecast to see robust growth as visa restrictions relaxed: HSBC
World Bank approves 176-million-USD fisheries project in Philippines
Illustrative image. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The World Bank (WB) on May 31 approved a 176-million-USD loan to fund a fisheries project that aims to improve fisheries management, enhance the value of fisheries production , and raise income s for coastal communities in the Philippines. The project is expected to benefit more than 1.5 million fisherfolk, small-to-medium businesses, and residents in coastal communities, the multilateral lender said in a statement. According to the WB, the fisheries sector contributes 1.3% to the Southeast Asian country's gross domestic product. It provides approximately 1.6 million jobs, or around 4% of the labour force, including for low-income families engaged in subsistence fishing. However, the sector has faced challenges, with fish stocks declining by an average of 20% over the past decade due to over-exploitation, destructive fishing methods, habitat degradation, and negative impacts from land-based activities. This … [Read more...] about World Bank approves 176-million-USD fisheries project in Philippines