Apple on May 17 announced the expansion of the Apple Store online into Vietnam. Customers throughout the country can now shop direct with Apple and receive a service delivered by dedicated team members ready to share their expertise in Vietnamese. Meanwhile, in mid-May, eDiGi, Vietnam’s foremost premium Apple retailer, announced the closure of its store after five years. The store entered the market when official Apple products were struggling to compete against smuggled counterparts. Backed by one of Vietnam’s top retail companies, IPP Group, eDiGi aimed to carve a niche for itself in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The accolades poured in as eDiGi secured the coveted Apple Premium Reseller and Apple Service Provider certifications, becoming the country’s pioneering haven for Apple aficionados seeking unrivalled services. However, eDiGi found itself grappling with a market where affordable prices outweighed immersive shopping experiences, and it struggled to … [Read more...] about Apple retailers set for price competition shake-up
Investigation at meers meers store and restaurant march 23
Budget estimate shortcomings require modern fix
The government last week reported that under its latest calculations, the state budget revenue last year hit about VND1.815 quadrillion ($78.93 billion), which is VND201.4 trillion ($8.75 billion) or 12.5 per cent higher than a previously reported figure. “The revenue has sufficiently met all tasks on expenditures for development investment, social security, salary reform, and other necessary tasks,” the government stated. Budget estimate shortcomings require modern fix Such a revenue increase was thanks to a rise in many items, with enterprises performing relatively well despite massive difficulties. For example, the economy’s most updated export turnover last year reached $371.3 billion, higher than the $368 billion earlier reported to the National Assembly – with the exact trade surplus of more than $12.4 billion, far higher than the only $1 billion earlier reported to the legislative body. However, the National Assembly Economic Committee (NAEC) found that the … [Read more...] about Budget estimate shortcomings require modern fix
Current trends guarantee big growth in Vietnam – US trade, investment: USABC leader
Vietnam was the 8th largest trade partner and the largest ASEAN exporter of the US in 2022. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The current trends in economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and the US guarantee big growth in two-way trade and investment in next 10 years and warrant upgrading the partnership to a strategic level, said Ted Osius , President and CEO of the US - ASEAN Business Council ( USABC ). In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the 10th anniversary of the two countries’ comprehensive partnership (July 2013 - 2023), the former US Ambassador to Vietnam said trade and investment play a big role in this relationship. The US is Vietnam’s second largest trading partner and biggest export destination. In 2022, bilateral trade reached a record high of 138.9 billion USD. Vietnam was the 8th largest trade partner and the largest ASEAN exporter of the US. The US was the biggest export market of Vietnam last year. Vietnam’s annual export to … [Read more...] about Current trends guarantee big growth in Vietnam – US trade, investment: USABC leader
Vietnamese brands listed in Asia Architecture Design Awards’ Top 100 Outstanding Projects
Some representatives from Vietnam have garnered an overwhelming response from a remarkable total of over 436 registered projects at the regional event which shows a resurgence of architectural excellence in India, Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Mai Chau Culture Resort, Grand Tourane Nha Trang Hotel, and Ambassador Cruise Restaurants are several brands among the finalists of the Asia Architecture Design Awards 2023 (AADA). AADA categories include Best Resort Architecture Design, Best Hotel Architecture Design, Best Resort Interior Design, Best Lighting Design, and Best Furniture Accessories, among others. Tre Dining in HCM City is listed as one of the Best F&B Architecture designs. Photo: Tre Dining Those from Vietnam made an impressive display on the shortlist, demonstrating their architectural prowess. From May 30 to June 25, the jury will begin their work with 20 influential experts from various fields, including architecture, design, and real … [Read more...] about Vietnamese brands listed in Asia Architecture Design Awards’ Top 100 Outstanding Projects
Foreign visitors to Vietnam surge over 12-fold year on year
Of the international arrivals , 88% came to the country by air, 10.9% by road, and 1.1% by sea. Revenue from tourism services went up 89% while earnings from accommodation and restaurant services rose 22%, the General Statistics Office said, attributing the increases partly to many holidays during the five months. Recently, Vietnamese tourism has continually been honoured by foreign media, helping enhance its attractiveness to international travellers. Notably, Cat Ba of Hai Phong city has been given the second place among the 10 most spectacular beaches in Asia by Microsoft Travel; Ninh Binh province named among the world's top 10 best hidden family vacation spots to visit in 2023 by Canada’s The Travel magazine./. VNA … [Read more...] about Foreign visitors to Vietnam surge over 12-fold year on year
Air, rail transport to be prioritised in Central Highlands
Buon Ma Thuot Airport in Dak Lak province is a major airport in the Central Highlands. (Photo: baogiaothong.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has requested more investment be prioritised for air and rail transport to the Central Highlands to ease pressure on road transport. This is part of the MoT’s recently built plan on developing modern, comprehensive, and cost-effective transportation that also guarantees defense and security for the Central Highlands by 2030, with a vision to 2045. The Central Highlands is comprised of the provinces of Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, and Lam Dong. Under this plan, authorities will modernise goods handling technology at transport centres, apply advanced transport technology, comprehensively develop transport supporting services and multi-modal transport, and improve logistics services. Enterprises will be encouraged to increase investment in container transport vehicles; the container handling capacity … [Read more...] about Air, rail transport to be prioritised in Central Highlands
1 killed, 2 injured as truck hits vehicles at red light in southern Vietnam
One man died and at least two others were injured after a truck slammed into multiple motorcycles which were stopping at a red light in Binh Duong Province, southern Vietnam on Tuesday evening. The fatal crash took place on a My Phuoc-Tan Van Road section in the provincial city of Thuan An at around 7:00 pm, when the truck was en route from Thuan An Hoa Street to My Phuoc-Tan Van Road. The truck driver was identified as Ha Dinh Be, 43, residing in the provincial city of Tan Uyen. At the scene of the accident, three damaged motorcycles were found lying in front of the truck. One of the victims, identified as Tran Chi Cuong, 20, a native of northern Nam Dinh Province, was crushed to death by the truck. Meanwhile, Mai Van Han, 36, residing in Binh Duong, and Pham Ngoc Thuy, 43, a native of north-central Quang Binh Province, were injured and rushed to a nearby hospital for emergency treatment. The truck also hit a tractor-trailer, leaving both damaged. Police are … [Read more...] about 1 killed, 2 injured as truck hits vehicles at red light in southern Vietnam
Australian prime minister to visit Vietnam this weekend
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will pay an official visit to Vietnam on Saturday at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This will be his first visit to Vietnam since he took office in 2022. The Australian prime minister’s visit will be made two months after Australian Governor-General David Hurley’s state visit to Vietnam. His two-day visit is aimed at marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Australia. Australian Prime Minister Albanese will meet several top Vietnamese officials during his trip, said the Australian Embassy in Vietnam. “The leaders will come to the table about measures to deepen the partnership in trade, investment, education, energy, and environmental protection," the embassy said. “Vietnam is one of Australia’s key strategic economic partners in Southeast Asia, which is a focus of Australian Prime Minister Albanese." “My first official visit to … [Read more...] about Australian prime minister to visit Vietnam this weekend