The European Union is slated to pilot the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from October, aligned with its vision of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. How do you anticipate the CBAM to impact Vietnam? Melissa MacEwen, sustainability and circular economy director for PwC in Asia-Pacific There are five key sectors under which products are going to be affected, and when products from those areas are imported into the EU, there will be checks based on emissions intensity. This will require independent verification, something which Vietnamese enterprises must prepare for. There are regulations in Vietnam regarding reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and protection of the ozone layer, but they do not yet include independent verification. The CBAM is also an opportunity to keep money within the country. Taking Thailand as an example, this country actually already responded to the potential impact of the CBAM on its sectors and is applying a tax on the same … [Read more...] about Businesses becoming active in the circular economy
Innovative ideas for 0 plastic waste school events
Measures to move support industry forward
A component warehouse of a support company in Đồng Nai Province. The industry has around 5,000 companies up and running currently. — VNA/VNS Photo Hồng Đạt Việt Nam's support industry has grown steadily over the past decade to around 5,000 companies, producing components for domestic demand and exports. That remark was made by Phạm Tuấn Anh, Deputy Director General of Industry Agency, Ministry of Industry and Trade, at the workshop "Easing hurdles and boosting the resilience of the support industry" on Friday. He said the companies spared no effort in capacity-building to move up the supply chain. Around 100 had become tier-1 vendors for multinational heavyweights, and 700 had established themselves as tier-2 and tier-3. "Of the companies, Samsung has chosen about 50 as its tier-1 and 170 as tier-2," said Anh. Their growing roles in the supply chain led to higher ratios of made-by-Vietnam components being used in assembly lines. For instance, the ratios have reached between … [Read more...] about Measures to move support industry forward
VNPT wins big at Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards 2021
During the event the VNPT received three gold prizes, including the award for the Innovation in Technology Development, a prize for Innovation in Medical/Dental, and the award for Innovation in Education or Training Apps. Furthermore, the country’s leading telecom company also carried off an additional two silver prizes, including in the award for the Innovative Use of Technology in Human Resources, along with the award for Innovation in Media, Visual Communications & Entertainment. Elsewhere, a total of seven bronzes were awarded for Innovative Management in Health Care Industries, Excellence in Innovation in Health Care Industries, Innovation in Business Utility Apps, and for the Innovative Use of Technology in Customer Service. This is in addition to a prize for Innovation in Business-to-Business Services and an award for Innovation in Government Services. The Stevie Awards are widely considered to be the world's premier business awards as they recognise various … [Read more...] about VNPT wins big at Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards 2021
ACB and DHL Express form strategic partnership on green fuel
The collaboration leverages sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), an advanced alternative to conventional jet fuel. By investing in the GoGreen Plus service, ACB is poised to reduce its carbon emissions by an estimated 14 tonnes in the coming year. Ngo Tan Long, deputy CEO of ACB, underlined the bank's steadfast commitment to offering high-quality international payment services. "By partnering with DHL on the GoGreen Plus initiative, we not only aim to enhance value for our clients but also bolster our commitment to sustainable development, amplified through the concerted efforts of DHL and our dedicated customer base," he said. ACB has been a frontrunner in intertwining its business strategy with sustainable development, adhering to Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG) guidelines. Its operations strike a balance between short-term outcomes and long-term sustainable growth, with a focus on creating value for all stakeholders. In 2022, ACB achieved a commendable … [Read more...] about ACB and DHL Express form strategic partnership on green fuel
Hanoi and other localities promote OCOP products, regional specialties
The event aims to improve the productivity, product quality, and capacity of OCOP entities. An event showcasing products related to the culture of the northern mountainous provinces attracted over 100 booths displaying more than 2,000 One Commune One Product (OCOP) items and regional specialties from Hanoi, 35 provinces and cities on Trinh Cong Son Pedestrian Street in Hanoi from September 21 to 25. Many OCOP products are on display at the fair. Photo: Trong Tung/ The Hanoi Times Speaking at the event, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Ta Van Tuong said that this is an important event to help businesses and promotion units network and sell safe farm produce , OCOP products and regional specialties nationwide, thus promoting the implementation of the OCOP Program for 2021-2025. The event also provides an opportunity for OCOP entities in Hanoi and provinces and cities across the country to exchange and enhance … [Read more...] about Hanoi and other localities promote OCOP products, regional specialties
Minister calls for preparation of workforce for AI ecosystem
Addressing the opening of the Vietnam Artificial Intelligence Festival 2023 (AI4VN) in Ho Chi Minh City on September 22, Dat said the building of this workforce aims to achieve the goal of making Vietnam an innovation and AI hub in ASEAN and the world, as outlined in the national strategy on research, development and application of AI till 2030. Via the two-day event, he said the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) wants to connect Government officials, experts, scientists, businesses and investors interested in AI at home and abroad. The U.K. Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Emily Hamblin said the solutions on display have demonstrated the development of Vietnam's technology sector with the active involvement of numerous enterprises. The event provides a platform to promote AI application in daily life. Initiated by MoST, the event was held for the first time in 2018. This year, it took the theme “AI: Power for Life" with the plenary session discussing hot topics to … [Read more...] about Minister calls for preparation of workforce for AI ecosystem
Red Sea corals threatened by mystery sea urchin deaths
The Red Sea's spectacular coral reefs face a new threat, marine biologists warn -- the mass death of sea urchins that may be caused by a mystery disease. Because the long-spined creatures feed on algae that can suffocate corals, their die-off could "destroy our entire coral reef ecosystem", warned scientist Lisa-Maria Schmidt. In Israel's Red Sea resort of Eilat, which borders Jordan and Egypt, Schmidt recalled the moment she and her colleagues first witnessed the population collapse. "When we jumped into the water, all of a sudden all those specimens we used to see before were gone, and what we saw was skeletons and piles of spines," she told AFP . The team had first heard reports in January that a sea urchin species off Eilat was dying rapidly, so they went to a site known for an abundance of the species Diadema setosum. They first thought that local pollution could be to blame. But, within two weeks, the spiny invertebrates also started dying down the coast, including … [Read more...] about Red Sea corals threatened by mystery sea urchin deaths
Hanoi to hold capital planning conference in late September
This conference serves as a significant platform for the Hanoi public to provide input on the city's planning direction. Hanoi plans to hold a conference in late September on the direction of the capital planning for the 2021-2030 period as part of a broader initiative to ensure the timely completion of the planning process . A corner of Hanoi from above. Photo: Cong Hung/The Hanoi Times Le Ngoc Anh, director of the Hanoi Institute for Socio-Economic Development Studies (HISEDS), said that since last year, the municipal People's Committee has been overseeing the creation of an Orientation Outline for Capital Planning. This Orientation Outline underwent multiple rounds of feedback and refinement, culminating in its approval at the 12th Conference of the Party Executive Committee on April 27, 2023. To harness the expertise and creativity of experts, scholars, officials, party members, and educators to finalize the Orientation Outline, the Party … [Read more...] about Hanoi to hold capital planning conference in late September
Vietnam seeks to develop sustainable AI ecosystem
The event included four main activities: an AI Summit, AI Workshop, AI Expo and CTO Summit 4, attracting government leaders, ministries, large corporations, scientists, and people interested in technology development and AI applications. AI4VN 2023 Addressing the event, Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat said that AI had become one of the key technologies of the 4.0 Industrial Revolution and was increasingly receiving attention, and investment and contributing to socioeconomic development. “Recently, AI has shown remarkable development. Many products and applications based on AI technology have been introduced and attracted the attention of the community, especially generative AI products,” he said. Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat made a speech at the event He also highlighted Decision No. 127/QD-TTg from January 2021 on the national strategy on research, development and application of AI. The strategy sets the goal … [Read more...] about Vietnam seeks to develop sustainable AI ecosystem
Amended Capital Law to govern the city-within-a-city model
Decentralization is key for local governments to be able to fulfill their tasks. The draft of the amended Capital Law has raised public concerns about the development of cities within a city. The Hanoi Times has received expert feedback on the issue. Architect Dao Ngoc Nghiem, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association for Urban Planning and Development: Special mechanism needed for city-within-a-city model Hanoi aims to urbanize five rural districts to make them urban districts by 2025 and two more later. Now, the concept of the city-within-city model is being introduced by urban developers. Previously, there was no city subordinate to a first-tier city. The law stipulated that only a province has its subordinate cities. In 2016, the first city-within-city was established, Thu Duc, a submunicipal unit of Ho Chi Minh City, one of the nation's five first-tier cities. An urban residential area in Hanoi. … [Read more...] about Amended Capital Law to govern the city-within-a-city model