The following is the full text of the interview. Reporter: This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and 10th anniversary of strategic partnership between Singapore and Vietnam. How do you evaluate the Singapore-Vietnam relations in the past half century, especially in the last decade? What should the two countries do to further our bilateral cooperation and to advance the development of each country? Vivian Balakrishnan: The ties between Singapore and Vietnam have grown from strength to strength since we established diplomatic relations 50 years ago. We are longstanding friends and close partners that enjoy wide-ranging cooperation in many areas, both bilaterally and at multilateral fora. I am heartened that the bilateral relationship has continued to expand and evolve to tackle new challenges over the past decade. Our linkages are particularly strong in trade and investment. The 12 Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) across Northern, Central, … [Read more...] about Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to enhance Singapore-Vietnam relations: Singaporean Foreign Minister
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Ho Chi Minh City among top markets for data centre development
The remaining top 10 markets in the category are: Columbus, Santiago, Johannesburg, Atlanta, Nashville, Phoenix, Austin, Denver, and Chicago, according to a report released by Cushman & Wakefield Vietnam on February 2. The annual report, now in its fourth year, ranks major data centre markets around the world according to 13 weighted categories including market size, connectivity, power cost and environmental risk to determine the top overall markets in each category. According to the latest Q4 2022 Ho Chi Minh City marketbeat report, the average rental price reached $159 per sq.m per lease cycle, up 3 per cent on the quarter and 10 per cent on-year. Vietnam is a frontier data centre market Vietnam may be a frontier data centre market, but it has numerous fundamentals that would suggest great potential for development. The country currently has 70 per cent internet penetration, with an estimated 29 million people yet to get online. Over 48 per cent of Vietnam’s … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City among top markets for data centre development
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s Singapore, Brunei visits look toward cohesive ASEAN
In an interview with the press ahead of the PM’s trip from February 8-11, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet stressed that the relations between Vietnam and the two countries are based on a lot of similarities in politics, economy, culture, and people-to-people exchange. The trip is of great significance, he said, noting that this is the first by Pham Minh Chinh in his new position that aims to manifest the consistent policy of prioritizing relations with neighboring countries and ASEAN, as set at the 13th National Party Congress. He added that this is also the first official visit by a leader of the Vietnamese government to Singapore over the past five years, and to Brunei over the past nearly 16 years. Therefore, the visits are expected to deepen the strategic partnership with Singapore, an important economic partner of Vietnam, and the comprehensive partnership with Brunei, also a promising economic partner, according to the official. For Singapore, the visit … [Read more...] about Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s Singapore, Brunei visits look toward cohesive ASEAN
Comprehensive cooperation between Vietnamese, Brunei militaries promoted
After the welcoming ceremony, the host and Gen. Cuong held talks. At the meeting, the commander of the Royal Brunei Armed Forces expressed his honor to receive General Cuong and the Vietnamese delegation in Brunei. He highlighted the visit, stressing that it is of special significance in boosting political trust, mutual understanding, and cooperation between the two militaries, making substantive contribution to developing the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Brunei. Expressing thanks to the host for the solemn reception, General Cuong believed that the visit will help deepen the flourishing relations between the two militaries. The Vietnamese chief of the General Staff underlined the constant development in the two countries’ relationship over the past time. Especially, since Vietnam and Brunei elevated their ties to the comprehensive partnership during the Sultan of Brunei’s official visit to Vietnam in March 2019, the bilateral relationship has been closer with … [Read more...] about Comprehensive cooperation between Vietnamese, Brunei militaries promoted
Singaporean daily spotlights Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit
The writing, titled “Vietnamese PM to visit S’pore as both countries eye green and digital economy deals,” cited Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) as saying that the visit takes place as both countries celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2023. It also marks the 10th anniversary of a strategic partnership agreement signed in 2013, which had upgraded ties and opened new areas of cooperation. This is PM Pham Minh Chinh’s first official visit to Singapore since he took office in 2021. Both PMs will witness the signing of bilateral agreements that will further strengthen the multifaceted cooperation between Singapore and Vietnam, particularly in the digital and green economies, said the MFA. The trip comes on the back of high-level meetings between the two sides in 2022, such as the visits to Vietnam by President Halimah Yacob in October and Deputy PM Heng Swee Keat in September. The article noted Singapore and Vietnam have strong economic ties, with bilateral … [Read more...] about Singaporean daily spotlights Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit
Special dishes introduced at Dao Ngoc – Ngu Xa cuisine competition
The competition was an activity within the framework of the locality’s Spring culture and cuisine festival 2023. The jury included historian Duong Trung Quoc; Master Chef Vo Quoc, President of the France - Vietnam Cuisine Academy; Master Chef Le Quoc Dinh, an instructor at the France - Vietnam Cuisine Academy. At the event, each team was required to prepare a tray of traditional dish of Vietnam to offer to the progenitor of Ngu Xa bronze casting. This was the first competition that had been held in the second food quarter in the capital city. According to Truc Bach ward’s representative, the competition aimed to popularize Vietnamese culinary culture to both domestic and foreign tourists. It also helped restaurants diversify their menus and dishes and improve their food processing quality, ensuring the nutrition and service quality of the Dao Ngoc - Ngu Xa Food Quarter in general as well as the restaurants in particular. The festival also featured other unique cultural and … [Read more...] about Special dishes introduced at Dao Ngoc – Ngu Xa cuisine competition
$15.5 billion in financing for green energy from Just Energy Transition Partnership
Established last December between Vietnam and the International Partners Group (IPG), the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) could facilitate Vietnam in achieving its goal of net-zero by 2050 and a future for green power. Chan Hong and Vi Nguyen, lawyers, Dentons LuatViet, Dentons Global Highlights of Vietnam JETP $15.5 billion to be mobilised An initial amount of at least $15.5 billion will be deployed over the next 3 to 5 years through a combination of financial instruments with the following breakdown: • IPG members will mobilise half of that total ($7.75 billion) through public sector financing, likely on more attractive terms than Vietnam could secure in the capital markets. • Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero Working Group (GFANZ) members will work to mobilise and facilitate the other $7.75 billion through private financing, once the public sector financing has been secured by the IPG. JETP Resource Mobilisations Plan The initiative … [Read more...] about $15.5 billion in financing for green energy from Just Energy Transition Partnership
Tech lay-off wave continues to bite at Vietnam’s heels
Entering 2023, Microsoft and Google announced global lay-offs of 10,000 and 12,000 employees, respectively. IBM laid off nearly 4,000 members, while Spotify cut about 6 per cent of staff. Since November last year, Meta, Amazon, and HP have also adjusted thousands of positions. Tech lay-off wave continues to bite at Vietnam’s heels, Illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com In Southeast Asia, Shopee parent company Sea Group, Crypto.com, e-commerce platform JD.ID, and GoTo – a merger between ride-hailer Gojek and e-commerce platform Tokopedia – are among the companies that experienced a drastic staff cut in the past year. GoTo in November 2022 cut 1,300 jobs, equivalent to 12 per cent of the number of employees, while Sea Group let go of 7,000 employees in the past six months. Both companies cited a common cause being challenging macroeconomic conditions. Industry insiders in Vietnam are generally wary of the effect this laid-off wave might have on the domestic market. … [Read more...] about Tech lay-off wave continues to bite at Vietnam’s heels
VinFast chooses US Bank as preferred provider of vehicle financing
A VinFast VF8 model on the road in the US. — Photo courtesy of the company VinFast on Monday announced US Bank has been chosen as its preferred provider of retail financing and leasing of VinFast vehicles in the United States. US Bank is a trusted lender for vehicle finance and leasing, serving millions of customers through consumer and business banking, payment services, corporate and commercial banking and wealth management and investment services. Under the partnership, US Bank will officially provide financing and leasing solutions for VinFast vehicles at VinFast showrooms and via the VinFast website. “With the goal to make electric vehicles accessible to everyone, VinFast is constantly looking for optimal solutions for customers. Thanks to this agreement, VinFast customers will have access to competitive finance and lease rates and world-class customer service from US Bank,” said Le Thi Thu Thuy, Vingroup Vice Chairwoman and CEO of VinFast Holdings. “Many Americans … [Read more...] about VinFast chooses US Bank as preferred provider of vehicle financing
U.S. Bank chosen to provide financing solutions for VinFast electric car users
The U.S. Bank will provide financing and leasing solutions for VinFast vehicles at VinFast showrooms and via the VinFast website. (Photo: VinFast) Hanoi (VNA) – VinFast on February 7 announced U.S. Bank (listed as US B on New York Stock Exchange) has been chosen as its preferred provider of retail financing and leasing of VinFast vehicles in the US. The announcement comes as VinFast - a Vietnamese electric car producer - is preparing to open more showrooms in California, and develop plans for more locations around the country soon. Under the partnership, the bank will officially provide financing and leasing solutions for VinFast vehicles at VinFast showrooms and via the VinFast website. Le Thi Thu Thuy, Vingroup Vice Chair and CEO of VinFast Holdings, said that with the goal of making electric vehicles accessible to everyone, VinFast is constantly looking for optimal solutions for customers. Thanks to this agreement, VinFast customers will have access to competitive … [Read more...] about U.S. Bank chosen to provide financing solutions for VinFast electric car users