The dollar rose to a new peak against the dong this year, hitting VND24,550 this week, and has risen around 3% since the beginning of the year at Vietcombank. "Many are concerned about the gain of the dollar, but I do not think it will rise as strongly as last year," said Nguyen The Minh, director of analysis at Yuanta Securities. The dollar rose at some point by 8.5% against the dong last year to 24,900 before declining in the last month of the year. The surge came after the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) widened the dong-dollar trading band from 3% to 5% a day and allowed the dong to depreciate as global central banks tightened their monetary policies. But the gain of the dollar this year, according to Minh, is different, as it has mostly been caused by the short-term rise of inflation in the U.S. The U.S. dollar index, which measures the strength of the greenback against major currencies, remained strong at over 105 points. Analysts from stock brokerage firm SSI … [Read more...] about Dollar’s gain against dong to be short-term: analysts
Hanoi dong xuan market
Mini apartment blocks in eye of controversy after Hanoi fire kills 56
"Mini apartment blocks cannot be legalized," National Assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said this week as he demanded a review of fire safety regulations in the capital after the fire in a 10-floor mini apartment building killed 56 people , including children, and injuring 37 on Sept. 12. Mini apartment blocks, which typically have between five and 10 floors divided into small apartments, have been mushrooming in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in recent years despite having no legal sanction. There is no official data, but according to national utility Vietnam Electricity, around 2,000 buildings in Hanoi that are connected to the grid can be classified as mini apartment towers. Vu Ngoc Anh, head of the Ministry of Construction’s science, technology and environment department, pointed out to reporters Thursday that the 2014 Housing Law does not recognize mini apartment buildings as a separate category, and so in essence they are residential buildings like others. Many owners have … [Read more...] about Mini apartment blocks in eye of controversy after Hanoi fire kills 56
Hanoi Fall Festival 2023 captivates visitors with unique activities
The 2023 Hanoi Fall Festival program will take place from September 29 to October 1 at Hoan Kiem Lake walking street and Hanoi Children's Palace. The first Hanoi Fall Festival with the theme "Hanoi - Come to fall in love" will be held at Hoan Kiem Walking Space and Hanoi Children's Palace from September 29 to October 1, aiming to promote travel to the capital in Autumn, the season when Hanoi is considered to be at its best. The information was announced by Deputy Director of Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA) Nguyen Thi Mai Anh at a press conference in Hanoi on September 20. Foreign tourists visit Hanoi's Book Street. Photo: Hoai Nam/The Hanoi Times According to Anh, this is the first iteration of an event showcasing Hanoi's culture and cuisine on Capital Liberation Day (October 10). The festival will feature 150 booths from people's committees in 10 districts of Hoan Kiem, Me Linh, Quoc Oai, Ung Hoa, Ba Dinh, Nam Tu Liem, Cau Giay, Dong Anh, Ba Vi and Gia … [Read more...] about Hanoi Fall Festival 2023 captivates visitors with unique activities
Hanoi’s US$2.8 billion fifth metro line project approved
This is one of eight metro projects planned by Hanoi to improve the city's mass transit system by 2030. The State Appraisal Council has approved the plan for Hanoi's fifth metro line, connecting Van Cao Street and Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, with a total investment of over VND65 trillion (US$2.8 billion), according to the city's People's Committee. As one of eight metro lines Hanoi plans to build by 2030 to improve the city's public transportation system and ease traffic congestion, the fifth line will facilitate fast and convenient mobility between suburban and urban areas. A rendered image of Hanoi's fifth metro line project. Photo: The Hanoi People’s Committee With a total length of 38.43 kilometers, the line will run 6.5 kilometers underground and 2 kilometers on elevated tracks. The fifth metro line will pass through seven districts. After running underground through Van Cao, Lieu Giai and Nguyen Chi Thanh streets, it will surface at Thang Long … [Read more...] about Hanoi’s US$2.8 billion fifth metro line project approved
Peruvian culture showcased in Hanoi bull statue exhibition
The art initiative "Torito de Pucará: Ambassador of the Peruvian Highlands" introduces Vietnamese audiences to the aesthetic essence of this breathtaking Latin American nation. The exhibition "Torito de Pucará: Ambassador of the Peruvian Highlands" has been opened in Hanoi, featuring 18 handmade ceramic Pucará bull statues, one of the most specific symbols of traditional Peruvian pottery. Initiated by the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the exhibition is an activity to celebrate 29 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Peru. The exhibition is a display of the unique art and culture of Peru. Photo: Department of International Cooperation As for the theme, "torito" means "little bull". The bull statues are created by skilled artisans from the pottery village of Checca Pupuja in the district of Jose Domingo Choquehuenca, province of Azangaro, in southern Peru. Visitors contemplate the bull statues. Photo: Department of … [Read more...] about Peruvian culture showcased in Hanoi bull statue exhibition
German press: Vietnam is a fascinating travel destination
The travel news site Reisereporter has just published an article that highlights some of the famous tourist destinations and landscapes in Vietnam, including Hanoi. In the article titled “Vietnam: You shouldn’t miss these sights”, www.reisereporter.de suggests tourists to visit some hidden "treasures" and undiscovered natural wonders in this wonderful country in the Southeast Asia region, in addition to popular tourist attractions. A Vietnamese girl in her charming ao dai (long dress) and non la (conical hat) walks through the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. Photo: Yeu Ha Noi According to Daniel Schramm, staff writer for www.reisereporter.de , Vietnam is a fascinating destination with a wide variety of sights and experiences. From historic cities like Hanoi and Hue to stunning natural landscapes like Halong Bay and Sapa to culinary adventures in street kitchens and markets, the country offers something for every taste. Vietnam's … [Read more...] about German press: Vietnam is a fascinating travel destination
Vice President welcomes Japan’s Crown Prince, Crown Princess
Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan (R) and Crown Prince Akishino (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan said the visit of Japan's Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko will be an milestone that contributes to enhancing understanding and the bond between the people of both countries, during a meeting with the royal couple in Hanoi on September 21 right after the welcome ceremony for them. She thanked the Imperial House, Government and people of Japan for providing support for Vietnam's national construction and socio-economic development, as well as the care they give to nearly 500,000 Vietnamese in Japan. She shared the understanding on the importance of educational, cultural and local cooperation to promoting exchanges and understanding between the people of both countries, and expressed a hope that Japan will continue supporting Vietnam's socio-economic development, propelling cooperation across the board, and expanding into such new areas as … [Read more...] about Vice President welcomes Japan’s Crown Prince, Crown Princess
Former police captain jailed for robbing gold stores
Ngo Van Quoc, 39, will be jailed for eight years and three months, a court in Thua Thien – Hue Province announced Thursday on two charges of "asset appropriation" and "appropriating and illegally using military weapons." At around 12:30 p.m. on July 31 last year, Quoc took an AK47 rifle to the gold shops at Dong Ba Market in Hue, threatened the staff and shot at the glass shelves where gold items were displayed. He then took the gold items and threw them into the street for people to pick, shouting "Gold for the poor," according to eyewitnesses. He repeated the stunt for about 10 minutes before leaving the scene and walking along Tran Hung Dao Street in front of the market to reach Trinh Cong Son Park. As he left the market, people rushed to the scene to collect the gold. Around 2 p.m., Quoc dropped his gun and surrendered after a 15-minute negotiation with local police. At that time, he was working as a warden at Binh Dien prison in Huong Tra Town of Thua Thien-Hue. … [Read more...] about Former police captain jailed for robbing gold stores
Japanese Crown Prince visits late President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house
Japanese Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, together with Vice-State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, paid a visit to late President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house and fish pond on Thursday morning. Their jaunt was taken after talks between the top Vietnamese official and Japan’s crown prince. Vice-State President Xuan chaired a welcome ceremony for Akishino and Kiko at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on Thursday morning. The stilt house and fish pond are situated in the late President Ho Chi Minh relic site. These places were the late president’s living and working space. The visit to the relic site was part of Akishino’s ongoing Vietnam trip, which will last until Monday next week. Crown Prince Akishino, 58, is the younger brother of Emperor Naruhito. He was declared first in line to the chrysanthemum throne in 2020. This is the third time the Japanese crown prince has visited Vietnam. Photo: Nguyen Khanh / Tuoi Tre Akishino is set to meet other … [Read more...] about Japanese Crown Prince visits late President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house
Vietnam, US hold annual defence policy dialogue
At the Vietnam - US defence dialogue. (Photo: nhandan.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of National Defence Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien and US Assistant Secretary of Defence Dr Ely Ratner co-chaired the annual Vietnam – US Defence Policy Dialogue in Washington, D.C on September 19 (local time). Commending positive defence cooperation between the two countries in the past year, Chien and Ratner said post-war recovery cooperation has continued to be a pillar and a bright spot in the bilateral relations, helping build trust and foster mutual understanding between the two sides. Chien took this occasion to thank the US for increasing its non-refundable aid from 183 million USD to 300 million USD for the project to clean up dioxin-contaminated soil at the Bien Hoa Air Base, describing it an important resource to complete the first phase of the project. Vietnam will continue creating favourable conditions for the search for US soldiers missing in action … [Read more...] about Vietnam, US hold annual defence policy dialogue