An art performance at the ceremony (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City organised a ceremony on March 23 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Italy (March 23, 1973-2023). In his remarks, Chairman of the People’s Committee Phan Van Mai highlighted the increasingly close ties between the two countries, saying over the past 50 years, the bilateral relationship has grown actively across spheres, both bilaterally and multilaterally. The good traditional friendship has also been consolidated and enhanced, the official added. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam presented Italy with more than 300,000 masks, while Italy donated 2.8 million doses of vaccines to the Southeast Asian nation. This vividly demonstrates the intensive and effective strategic partnership and friendship between the two countries, he said. HCM City, for its part, has actively worked to promote cooperation with … [Read more...] about 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Italy diplomatic ties celebrated in HCM City
Ho chi minh city 3 days
HCM City sees over 22 per cent rise in FDI inflows in Q1
A view of HCM City (Photo: VNA) HCM City – Ho Chi Minh City has drawn 497.5 million USD of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first three months of this year, up 22.4 per cent year on year, according to the city’s Statistics Office. The office reported that in the first quarter of this year, the city issued new investment licences to 216 projects worth 133.2 million USD, a rise of 30 per cent over the same period last year, mostly in construction sector (53.7 million USD). Singapore remained the leading investor in the city with 47 projects with a total capital of 86.7 million USD, accounting for 65.4 per cent of the total FDI the city attracted in the period. Hong Kong (China) came second with 15 projects worth 9.5 million USD, accounting for 7.1 per cent, and Japan with 19 projects worth 9.0 million USD. At the same time, investors also injected additional 87.1 million USD into 37 underway projects. Of the total, 35.5 million USD, or 40.8 per cent, came from the … [Read more...] about HCM City sees over 22 per cent rise in FDI inflows in Q1
Lao Airlines resumes direct flights to Da Nang city
Lao Airlines aircraft (Photo source: Lao Airlines) Da Nang - The central city of Da Nang on March 30 welcomed 150 tourists from Vientiane, Laos, on the first direct flight of Lao Airlines after a two-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The move signifies a promising growth in tourism, investment and trade between Laos, northeast of Thailand and central Vietnam. The airline began its schedule with two flights per week on Thursday and Sunday before increasing to daily flights in the future. The group of Lao tourists will visit destinations in Da Nang and the UNESCO-recognised world heritage sites in Hoi An, My Son Sanctuary and Thua Thien-Hue province. It’s the third city that Lao Airlines has resumed its post-pandemic flights to after Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Lao Airlines said it would help connect and attract more visitors from the Republic of Korea and China to Vietnam through the Vientiane-Da Nang air route. Da Nang city's Department of Tourism said the … [Read more...] about Lao Airlines resumes direct flights to Da Nang city
VN-Index inks March’s last session in blue with ninth straight gaining session
Almaz conference centre in Vinhomes Riverside, Ha Noi. Vinhomes (VHM) topped the list of stocks pulling the VN-Index most on Friday. — VNS Photo Mai Huong The VN-Index closed at a one-month high in the first quarter’s last trading session, supported by strong buys of both domestic and foreign traders. On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, the VN-Index ended up 0.49 per cent at 1,064.64 points, extending its rally streak to nine consecutive sessions. Meanwhile, the HNX-Index on the Ha Noi Stock Exchange increased for a second day, up 0.75 per cent to close at 207.5 points. It inched up 0.2 per cent on Thursday. Liquidity in the afternoon session grew by 57 per cent compared to the morning, totaling 723.5 million shares worth VND13 trillion (US$552 million), the highest in more than a month. According to analysts, a long gaining streak showed investors’ expectations near the closing time of the net asset value of funds, pushing up many stocks. On average, this week saw the best … [Read more...] about VN-Index inks March’s last session in blue with ninth straight gaining session
Prime Minister hosts China’s Guangxi leader
PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Liu Ning, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region , at the meeting in Hanoi on March 31. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Liu Ning , Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of China ’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, in Hanoi on March 31. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasised that in Vietnam’s overall foreign policy, the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China always holds an important position. The two sides need to continue to thoroughly grasp and concretise the common perceptions reached by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Party General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping on bringing Vietnam-China relations into a new stage of development, he said. Congratulating Guangxi on its … [Read more...] about Prime Minister hosts China’s Guangxi leader
Vietnamese documentary films screened in France
Directors and audience hold talks after the screening (Photo: VNA) Paris (VNA) – Documentary films produced by young Vietnamese directors are being screened in a special programme entitled “L’aventure Varan Vietnam” (Adventure of Varan Vietnam ) under the umbrella of the Cinéma du Réel 2023 (International documentary film festival) which is underway in Paris from March 24- April 2. Director Ha Le Diem’s “Nhung dua tre trong suong” (Children of the Mist), Tran Phuong Thao’s “Uoc mo lam cong nhan” (Pomelo), “Chuyen di cuoi cung cua chi Phung” (The last journey of madame Phung) by Nguyen Thi Tham are three among 20 works introduced at the event. The works were created in training programmes conducted by Varan Vietnam Productions since 2004. Speaking at a screening, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang highlighted the significant meaning of the event in welcoming the 50th anniversary of Vietnam- France diplomatic relations and the tenth anniversary of the … [Read more...] about Vietnamese documentary films screened in France
Global minimum tax should not impact investors’ benefits: Conference
At the conference (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Vietnam needs to develop appropriate policies to adapt to the global minimum tax and remain an attractive FDI destination , heard a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City on March 29. Dr Tran Du Lich told the seminar, titled "Global Minimum Corporate Tax - Prospects and Challenges in attracting FDI in HCM City", that the global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%, which is set to be applied next year in Vietnam , is forecast to have a significant impact on Vietnam in whose economy FDI plays a significant role. The tax applies to multi-national corporations with revenues of at least 750 million euros (870 million USD). When a company invests in a foreign country but pays corporate income tax of less than 15% in that country, it will have to pay the difference in the country where it is headquartered. As of today, 141 countries and territories have signed up to implement the tax. “It is estimated that 1,015 FDI companies in … [Read more...] about Global minimum tax should not impact investors’ benefits: Conference
Hanoi hosts a week-long exhibition showcasing OCOP farm products
On March 31, the event occurred adjacent to the Hanoi Cooperative Alliance's headquarters in Van Quan Ward, Ha Dong District. More than 100 cooperative groups of cooperative alliances from Hanoi and provinces all over the country participated in a week-long fair promoting the sale of farm produce and handicrafts recognized by the One Commune One Product (OCOP) program to showcase their products and agricultural models linked to eco-tourism. Hanoi's authorities attend the opening ceremony of the event. Photo: Trong Tung/ The Hanoi Times Do Huy Chien, the chairman of the Hanoi Cooperative Alliance, stated that the week-long fair aims to promote farm goods, processed foods, and OCOP items related to rural and agricultural sectors and traditional craft villages from Hanoi and other areas. "The event is also intended to link tourism promotion activities between the city and localities throughout the country, contributing to increasing the brand value of … [Read more...] about Hanoi hosts a week-long exhibition showcasing OCOP farm products
HDBank outstanding loans to property sector, corporate bond holdings among industry lowest
An HDBank transaction office in HCM City. HDBank hopes to maintain its high growth momentum in the coming years. — Photo courtesy of HDBank The Ho Chi Minh City Development Joint Stock Commercial Bank has announced its 2022 results audited by PwC, which shows profit before tax of nearly VND10.27 trillion (US$437.18 million), its highest ever and up 27.2 per cent from the previous year and 105 per cent of the target approved by shareholders. The non-performing loans (NPL) ratio was low, while operational safety indicators were among the best in the industry. The operating income for the year topped VND22 trillion ($936.39 million), up 31.1 per cent. Its credit, services, card, and digital banking businesses all saw high growth. The total number of credit cards it issued quadrupled while their transaction value nearly tripled, and the number of e-banking transactions doubled with their value growing by six times to VND761 trillion ($$32.39 million). The return on equity and … [Read more...] about HDBank outstanding loans to property sector, corporate bond holdings among industry lowest
Hospitality industry looks to level up
“Vietnam’s hospitality market had great momentum before the pandemic, moving from a destination only for experienced travellers, to a place for holiday and leisure travellers. It rivalled international travel hubs like Thailand, thanks to the joint efforts from many industry players,” said Mauro Gasparotti, director of Savills Hotels in the opening presentation on the challenges and opportunities of the industry this year. “However, development outpaced demand, and now we are dealing with the consequences of over development, with incomplete or underperforming projects. The market needs time to readjust. On a positive note, several high-quality hotels and resorts in the country are doing exceptionally well, and they will keep doing so for the foreseeable future. Projects that have been properly implemented and are correctly managed will recover faster,” he added. "Development outpaced demand, and now we are dealing with the consequences of over development, with incomplete or … [Read more...] about Hospitality industry looks to level up