In the five-game series, defending champions Saigon won the first two games and Nha Trang won game 3. With a 2-1 lead, Saigon had a chance to secure the title in game 4 on Thursday. After a slow start, the score was 36-41 in favor of Nha Trang after the first two quarters. But Saigon made a comeback in the third quarter and led 57-50. In the fourth quarter, Nha Trang equalized 67-67 and sent the match into extra time. Saigon then took advantage of their opponent's mistakes to end the game with an 81-76 victory. Kentrell Barkley, the star of Saigon Heat, was named the MVP of game 4 with 33 points and 16 rebounds. The American player was also named the MVP of the finals, with an average of 28.8 points, 14 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 4 rebounds per game. This is the fourth year a player from the Heat was named MVP of the finals. The previous three titles belonged to Tavarion Nix (2019), Joshua Keyes (2020) and Madarious Gibbs (2022). This year's VBA season had seven participating … [Read more...] about Saigon win fourth consecutive basketball title in overtime
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Vietnam probes wind towers imported from China, weighs anti-dumping tax
Vietnam's industry ministry has launched an investigation that could lead to anti-dumping duties on wind towers originally from China, following a complaint by domestic producers, the government said on Saturday. Producers in Vietnam have claimed that dumping of Chinese-origin towers has caused "significant damage" to them, the government said in a statement, without elaborating. "In case of necessity, based on preliminary investigation results, the trade ministry can apply temporary anti-dumping measures to prevent dumping activities that hurt domestic manufacturing," the statement added. The government gave no timeline for completing the investigation. Neither Vietnamese customs nor the statistics office provide data on wind tower imports. According to the trade ministry, local producers were proposing an anti-dumping tax rate of 97%. Wind towers imported to Vietnam currently enjoy a most-favored nation (MFN) tariff of 3%. Vietnam is looking to boost wind energy as it … [Read more...] about Vietnam probes wind towers imported from China, weighs anti-dumping tax
Culture, cuisine, fashion converge at Hanoi Autumn Festival
Hanoi Autumn Festival introduces attractive destinations in the capital city, marked with wedding dress fashion shows and traditional culinary quintessence of the capital. Hanoi Autumn Festival 2023 with the theme "Hanoi Autumn-Come to Love" kicked off on the evening of September 29 at the pedestrian zone near Hoan Kiem Lake. Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Nguyen Thi Tuyen visits the booth at the Hanoi Autumn Festival. The festival, organized by the Hanoi People’s Committee, lasts from September 29 to October 1, promising a vibrant festivity of Hanoi's culture. The Hanoi Autumn Carnival is set to charm with its street art exhibitions. Furthermore, a gastronomic exploration of Vietnam's diverse regions is on offer, complemented by an array of traditional and contemporary games. In addition, 150 pavilions will be positioned along Dinh Tien Hoang, Le Thach and Bat Giac House in the Ly Thai To Flower Park, introducing many products … [Read more...] about Culture, cuisine, fashion converge at Hanoi Autumn Festival
Hanoi ceremony honors 121 typical Vietnamese dishes
The dishes included 47 from the North, 37 from the Central region and 37 from Southern localities. They encapsulate the cultural essence of localities and regions nationwide. The dishes were selected basing on their cultural values, history, and quality, as well as cooking, processing and preservation techniques, and economic values. VCCA President Nguyen Quoc Ky said the association has been actively implementing the project, which focuses on surveying, introducing, and collecting data on Vietnamese cuisine, as part of efforts to turn Vietnam into a global culinary destination, contributing to preserving and promoting the cultural values of the country. By the end of 2022, the project has collected the data of 421 dishes from 60 cities and provinces. Ky took the occasion to call for the engagement and assistance of businesses in the project. According to Ky, the association will continue to complete a database of 1,000 typical dishes of Vietnam, thus building an online map … [Read more...] about Hanoi ceremony honors 121 typical Vietnamese dishes
Digitization drives tourism recovery
According to Chairman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) Nguyen Trung Khanh, the VNAT has joined hands with domestic and international partners to apply advanced technologies in tourism promotion activities. Two years ago, the tourism authority in collaboration with Google to launch the online exhibition project “Wonders of Vietnam,” an online exhibition project as part of Google Arts & Culture (GA&C) that allows everyone to explore art, history and the wonders of the world. Featuring 35 stories and over 1,300 sumptuous photos of iconic sites, historical heritage, nature, cuisine and culture of Central Vietnam, the project is a unique way for hungry travelers to virtually explore. It is also an important part of Google’s overall support of the local tourism industry, which has been badly affected by pandemic-related travel restrictions. With initial support from Google, it continues to carry out a communications campaign with a series of videos themed … [Read more...] about Digitization drives tourism recovery
GDP growth 6% max this year, ministry predicts
The ministry discussed three potential GDP outcomes for 2023. The lowest prospect mentioned would see GDP growth at 5% for the entire year. In this case, GDP in the last quarter would have to reach 7%, according to ministry analysts. The middle of the road scenario would see GDP round out the year at 5.5%, in which case final quarter GDP growth would need to reach 8.8%. The most optimistic scenario would be GDP growth ending the year at 6%, but in order for that to happen, GDP growth in the fourth quarter must reach 10.6%. This would be a challenge, according to the ministry, as GDP growth in the third quarter reached only 5.33%. Ministry analysts have said that economic growth in the final quarter would depend on how quickly industrial production recovers, especially in manufacturing and processing. Another factor is demand from Vietnam’s major export markets, as well as tourism and spending within the country at the end of the year and for the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday. … [Read more...] about GDP growth 6% max this year, ministry predicts
Vietnamese itching to take leisure trips overseas
80% of 1,500 Vietnamese survey respondents planned to have an overseas holiday, just slightly behind Thailand at 86% and Singapore at 85%, and ahead of the Philippines at 69%, Malaysia at 64% and Indonesia at 56%. The survey shows that intent to travel remains strong across the region. Of those surveyed, 72% plan to travel abroad at least once in the next 12 months, jumping from just 39% when borders reopened in 2022, indicating intent to travel has climbed by 84% in just one year. While Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia lead the way in terms of destinations within Southeast Asia, Vietnamese put Japan, South Korea and China at the top list of countries they are planning to explore. Some 77% of those planning leisure trips are planning to travel two or more times in the next 12 months. Families represent one of the most significant audience segments for 2023 travel with Vietnam sharing this pattern. Nearly three in five respondents from Vietnam said they plan to travel with … [Read more...] about Vietnamese itching to take leisure trips overseas
Former health minister charged for receiving $2.25M bribes in Covid test kit scandal
Long, along with his former secretary Nguyen Huynh, former director of the Hai Duong Center for Disease Control Pham Duy Tuyen, former head of the Department of Health Equipment and Works Nguyen Minh Tuan, former head of the Department of Financial Planning Nguyen Nam Lien, former head of the Department of Science and Technology Trinh Thanh Hung, were charged with receiving bribes by the Supreme People's Procuracy. Pham Xuan Thang, former Hai Duong Party Secretary, was charged with power abuse. Phan Quoc Viet, general director of the Viet A Company, as well as his subordinate Vu Dinh Hiep, were charged with giving bribes and bidding violations that lead to serious consequences. Phan Ton Noel Thao and Ho Thi Thanh Thao, finance advisor and treasurer of Viet A, were charged with giving bribes. Chu Ngoc Anh, former Minister of Science and Technology, and Pham Cong Tac, deputy minister, were charged with violations regarding the management and use of state-owned property that lead … [Read more...] about Former health minister charged for receiving $2.25M bribes in Covid test kit scandal
Vietnam seeks to secure sustainable development for dragon fruit sector
Vietnam now has nearly 55,000ha of dragon fruit farming and harvests about 1.3 million tons each year. The favorable soil and climate conditions have enabled the country to produce dragon fruit on a large scale all year round. As a result, it used to be the world’s leader in terms of the farming area, output, and export value, said Nguyen Quoc Manh, head of the fruit tree division of the Crop Production Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. However, after conquering several markets for a certain period of time, the fruit from Vietnam is facing a number of challenges, he noted, pointing out the foreign markets’ increasingly stringent standards for quality, food safety, and look of fresh dragon fruits, the emergence of many pests and diseases caused by climate change impacts, soaring fertilizer prices, the unsustainable connectivity between businesses and farmers, the limited number of companies involved in value chains to meet requirements of major and … [Read more...] about Vietnam seeks to secure sustainable development for dragon fruit sector
Thi Vai LNG complex passes pilot testing, ready to go
An aerial view of part of the Thi Vai liquefied natural gas (LNG) warehouse and terminal complex (Photo: congthuong.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – The Thi Vai liquefied natural gas (LNG) warehouse and terminal complex, the first of its kind in Vietnam, of the Petrovietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation (PV GAS), has passed a series of technical tests and is now ready to be put into commercial operation. Work started on the Thi Vai LNG warehouse and terminal projects, based in the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau, on October 28, 2019. Their trial operations began on July 10, 2023, and the test run of the main processes completed on July 30. The Thi Vai system is currently the biggest LNG complex in the country. The LNG warehouse, the heart of the system, already had its first phase completed with the storage capacity of 180,000 cu.m., able to handle 1 million tonnes of LNG per year. Its second phase is currently under construction with a view to raising the annual handling … [Read more...] about Thi Vai LNG complex passes pilot testing, ready to go