Hopefully next year will be better

The decision was made after a series of accidents occurred on Bao Loc, a pass located on Highway 20. Accordingly, Lam Dong People’s Committee is set to spend VND26 billion ($1.12 million) to install 12 cameras at every bend and turn. The 10-kilometer Bao Loc Pass is an important route connecting the country's southeastern region to Lam Dong’s two towns, Da Lat and Bao Loc. While Da Lat is already a famous tourist destination, Bao Loc is both underrated and offbeat with a quiet and calm atmosphere, amazing waterfalls and many great tea and coffee farms. According to a representative of Lam Dong’s traffic police department, installing the cameras would help police monitor careless and reckless driving - a main cause of accidents on the pass. "We are completing legal procedures and budget plans for work to start in May," he stated. To reduce the number of increasing traffic accidents, Lam Dong People's Committee urged patrols be strengthened and traffic police be deployed 24/7 at high-risk spots. According to the Traffic Safety Committee of Lam Dong, from Dec. 15, 2020 to the end of Feb. this year, the province recorded 36 accidents, up by 17 cases compared to the same period last year, killing 25 people and injuring 21. On Bao Loc Pass alone, 10 accidents occurred and one person died. Recently, Lam Dong Province proposed a plan to build 67-kilometer Tan Phu-Bao Loc Expressway with an investment of nearly VND19.5 trillion ($841 million) to reduce the traffic load on Highway 20. …

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The enforced rest due to the COVID-19 pandemic may have been a boon for the country's two best-supported teams Hanoi FC and Hoang Anh Gia Lai ahead of the mid-March restart. Hanoi FC midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai (centre) and teammates are working hard for the return of the V.League 1 tournament after a three-week rest due to COVID-19. Photo hanoi-fc.com.vn Hanoi are rooted to the bottom of the table with two losses in two matches, a shock for the five-time champions. “We did not have a good start with two defeats. We will have to prepare carefully for every coming match and play well because of the tough format of the tournament,” said coach Chu Dinh Nghiem. “Our target is the top six first, then we could vie for the title in the second period,” he said. After the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday, Nghiem and his players all tested negative for the coronavirus and returned to training. They have also welcomed the return of key defenders Tran Dinh Trong and Do Duy Manh after recovery from injuries. “They both can follow the teams’ training plan. It is a good sign for all of us,” Nghiem told reporters. He also said that midfielder Moses Oloya who could not play in the previous matches due to a leg injury will be back in action. Speaking with media, star midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai is excited to play again soon. “I really hope the pandemic is controlled well for the return of competitions. My club is struggling and under heavy pressure (after losses). We will have to overcome challenges to find ourselves,” he said. “No one is happy with a loss of course, but we can learn about ourselves from it. We will stand up from where we collapsed and fight back strongly. Nothing could force us to give up our initial target of winning the V.League 1 title and it would be more wonderful if we could conquer the AFC Cup too,” he added. Hanoi, which recently extended defender Tran Van Kien's contract to 2023, are now seeking opponents for friendly matches …

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Prudential Vietnam and Vietnam Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank have renewed their strategic bancassurance partnership (Photo courtesy of Prudential Vietnam) HCM City (VNS/VNA) - Prudential Vietnam Assurance Private Limited , a subsidiary of Prudential Plc , and Vietnam Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank have renewed their strategic bancassurance partnership for another 15 years. The new agreement significantly expands the geographical scope to include the north, where MSB is headquartered, and make Prudential the lender’s only partner. They have been collaborating since 2013 and built a highly successful bancassurance partnership which delivered a 34 percent compounded annual growth rate in annual premium equivalent between 2014 and 2020. Under the renewed partnership, the two sides will also expand into new segments, including digital, to deliver holistic protection solutions to customers. With a digital-focused approach that is aligned with MSB and Prudential’s plans to leverage existing digital tools such as the latter’s artificial intelligence-powered application Pulse, they hope to seize further growth opportunities. Nic Nicandrou, Chief Executive of Prudential Corporation Asia, said: “Vietnam is an important market and source of growth for Prudential. The renewal and expansion of our long-term partnership with MSB represents a tremendous opportunity for Prudential to build on its strong presence in the market. It is a clear demonstration of our commitment to serving MSB’s customers, helping them get the most out of life with our leading suite of health and wealth solutions.” Phuong Tien Minh, Chief Executive Officer of Prudential Vietnam, said: “Prudential Vietnam has built a highly-effective bancassurance partnership with MSB since 2013. “We are delighted to be taking the partnership to the next level as we deliver our innovative offerings to MSB’s customers through existing as well as new channels, including digital. …

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