Hanoi bus shelters occupied by businesses

Foreign investors poured nearly US$1.7 billion into Vietnam as of January 20. In the first month of 2023, newly-registered capital is estimated to have increased 3.1 times over the same period last year, showing that foreign investors still maintain confidence in Vietnam's investment environment. Hanoi ranks among the top localities in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2022. Photo: Thang Long Industrial Park The Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment reported that there were 801 newly-registered projects totaling $1.2 billion and 89 projects increasing capital with a combined amount of $306.3 million. In addition, 204 transactions of share purchases by foreign investors were worth $174 million, representing a year-on-year decline of 60.7%. Meanwhile, the disbursement of foreign investments dropped by 16.3% to $1.35 billion. The agency attributed the decrease in registered and disbursed FDI to the national holiday (the … [Read more...] about Foreign investors remain confident about Vietnam’s business environment

Vietnam remains an attractive destination for foreign investors (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - According to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), Vietnam is likely to attract 36-38 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2023. The figure was nearly 22.4 billion USD in 2022. Deputy Director of the FIA Do Van Su said disbursement of foreign investment this year is expected to hit 22-23 billion USD,. Su acknowledged that the opening of China’s economy might affect Vietnam's foreign investment attraction, adding that China remained the leading investment destination in the region, so when they opened up, capital will flow into this market while that to Vietnam and other economies in the region will be limited. On the contrary, the investment capital movement of the Republic of Korea (RoK) , Japan, and Taiwan (China) will be accelerated. This shift will be accelerated until 2025, and Vietnam will be a preferred investment … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s FDI projected to reap up to 38 bln USD in 2023

Vietnam ’s total retail sales of goods and services in January is estimated at 544.8 trillion VND (23.22 billion USD), up 5.2% from the previous month and 20% as compared with the same period last year. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam’s total retail sales of goods and services in January was estimated at 544.8 trillion VND (23.22 billion USD), up 5.2% from the previous month and 20% as compared with the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO). The office explained that the hike was attributed to the growing consumption demand as Tet ( Lunar New Year ), the biggest and longest festival in the Southeast Asian nation, fell in the month. Of the total, the retail sales of goods were 435.4 trillion VND, a year-on-year rise of 18.1%, with the biggest increase seen in garments (27%). The revenue from lodging and catering services reached 56 trillion VND, representing a year-on-year rise 37.3%. Notably, tourism raked in 2.2 trillion VND, a … [Read more...] about Retail sales of goods, services up 20% in January

January’s CPI increases 0.52% due to high Tet demand (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam ’s consumer price index ( CPI ) in January edged up by 0.52 % month-on-month, fueled by high consumer demand for the Lunar New Year or Tet which fell in the same month, the General Statistics Office said on January 29. In addition, the prices of goods, food and foodstuffs went up during the final lunar month to prepare for the longest annual holiday and domestic fuel prices rose to global levels, contributing to the rise of the index. This month’s CPI increased by 4.89 % year-on-year, while the core inflation in January inched up 5.21%. Among the 11 main commodity groups, nine marked a month-on-month increase in prices, and the rest registered a decline. Transport services reported the highest rise of 1.39 %, followed by beverage and cigarette with 1.12%. The prices of catering, other goods and services, apparel, footwear and hat, gold prices, restaurant services, … [Read more...] about January’s CPI increases 0.52% due to high Tet demand

A showroom displays and sells products under the country’s One Commune-One Product (OCOP) programme and other products in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta province of Tra Vinh. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNS/VNA) - The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta’s 12 provinces and the city of Can Tho are developing more products under the country’s “One Commune-One Product” programme. Launched in 2018, the OCOP programme focuses on developing specialty products and high-quality products in rural areas to increase incomes for locals and boost the sustainability of economic development in rural areas. OCOP products are commercial products and services such as food and beverages, handicrafts and rural tourism services. They are classified as having one to five stars. Under the programme, the Cuu Long delta, which is the country’s largest rice, seafood and fruit producer, has developed more OCOP products and increased their value. Can Tho recognised 18 new OCOP products last year, including 10 three-star … [Read more...] about Mekong Delta develops more OCOP products

Viettel is the only Vietnamese brand in the latest Brand Finance Global 500 rankings. (Source: baochinhphu.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Viettel is the most valuable telecoms brand in Southeast Asia and the 17th in the world, according to the latest Brand Finance Global 500. At the 234th position globally, Viettel is the only brand of Vietnam and the only telecoms one of Southeast Asia listed in the 2023 rankings. Meanwhile, e-commerce company Amazon surpassed Apple to become the world’s most valuable though its brand value fell about 15% to 299.3 billion USD this year from 350.3 billion USD in 2022. Apple dropped to the second place as its brand value declined 16% to 297.5 billion USD. Brand Finance , founded in 1996, is the world's leading brand valuation consultancy present in 20 countries and territories./. VNA … [Read more...] about Viettel named most valuable telecoms brand in Southeast Asia

EXHIBITION HCMC-Exhibition ‘No more, not yet’ Opening: Feb 3, 06:30 pm EMASI Nam Long, 147 Street No.8, Nam Long Residential area, D7, Display: Feb – June, Wed & Fri, 10 am – 04 pm EMASI Nam Long (D.7) Tues & Thurs, 10 am – 04 pm EMASI Vạn Phúc (D.Thủ Đức) *and every last Saturday of the month From the organizer: Nguyen Art Foundation (NAF) proudly invites you to the opening of ‘No more, not yet’, an exhibition that looks back on Nguyen Thi Thanh Mai’s shapeshifting artistic practice in all its multiplicity. Winner of the Artist Excellence Award (inaugural edition, initiated by The Factory Contemporary Arts Centre and managed by in-tangible institute), her work is presented here alongside nearly 20 artists whom she calls her colleagues and friends. The exhibition will be on display from February to June 2023 across the campuses of EMASI Nam Long and EMASI Van Phuc. Hanoi-Exhibition “This is not A Dream” Exhibition: Until Mar … [Read more...] about What’s on January 30-February 5/2023

A garment factory in Vietnam (Illustrative photo: VietnamPlus) Hanoi (VNA) – In its Vietnam Marco Monitoring report released in November, the World Bank (WB) noted several positive economic signs recently, including the strong rebound of FDI commitment, thanks to a jump in greenfield investment. Industrial production moderates, FDI bounces back The WB said FDI commitment bounced back strongly thanks to a jump in greenfield investment in electricity, gas, and water supply, while FDI disbursement maintained robust growth. Total investment commitment jumped to 3.7 billion USD in October, up 133% year on year and the second highest level in 2022. This improvement was driven by a lump sum greenfield investment of 2 billion USD in electricity, gas, and water supply. FDI disbursement remained strong, growing by 8.1% (y/y) in October and 15.2% (y/y) over the first 10 months. The industrial production index increased by 6.3% from a year earlier in October, … [Read more...] about FDI commitment rebound driven by greenfield investment surge

Vietnam’s four biggest State-owned banks have an urgent need for capital increase in 2023 as their charter capital is too low, with some unable to ensure the regulated minimum capital adequacy ratio (CAR), according to industry insiders. A customer at a Vietcombank office in Hanoi. Though the four biggest State-owned banks, including Vietcombank, have been a key force in supporting the economy to overcome difficulties, their charter capital is too low. Photo thoibaonganhang.vn Currently, the big four, including BIDV, Vietcombank, Agribank and VietinBank, only hold more than 40 per cent of the credit market share of the country’s banking system, but over the years, especially in the past three years, the banks have been a key force in supporting the economy to overcome the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and global economic uncertainties. State-owned banks always take the lead in implementing incentive policies of the National Assembly, the … [Read more...] about State-owned banks under capital increase pressure

Nguyen Thanh Tam from the northern city of Hai Phong was browsing Facebook last month when she came across a post seeking child models to promote a "major fashion brand’s" spring 2023 collection. Her daughter, who is almost 4 four years old, loves having her photo taken. She often strikes poses when her mother brings out her camera phone. Meanwhile, the single mom is too busy with work and has little time to spend with her child. So, she’s been wanting to find an extracurricular activity for her child. After signing her daughter up for the modeling gig, Tam was added to a private chat group on the messaging app Telegram where a fake talent scout asked for the baby's age, height and weight. This person later instructed her to contact a male coworker in a different chat group who would help her complete her daughter's application. The admin of the second chat group said the models could make VND7-15 million ($298-640) a month if the outfits used by the child commercial photo … [Read more...] about Parents fall for child modeling scams on social media