Lunar 2016 new year

A press conference was held by the General Statistics Office (GSO) on Wednesday. Viet Nam’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by 3.32 per cent in the first quarter of 2023. — VNS Photo Linh Anh Viet Nam’s gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 3.32 per cent in the first quarter of 2023, the General Statistics Office (GSO) said yesterday. The expansion is nearly the lowest in 13 years, with Q1 of 2020, which recorded growth of 3.21 per cent. Speaking at a press conference, officials from the GSO said that the agro-forestry-fishery sector expanded by 2.52 per cent and contributed 8.85 per cent to the GDP growth. The industry and construction sector contracted by 0.4 per cent, leading to a 4.76 per cent decline in the growth, and the service sector increased by 6.79 per cent to contribute to 95.91 per cent of the overall expansion. In the agro-forestry-fishery sector, agriculture saw a year-on-year increase of 2.43 per cent in added value, forestry 3.66 per cent, and … [Read more...] about Viet Nam’s economy grew 3.32% in Q1, near the 13-year quarterly lowest

A bowl of daffodils displayed in a porcelain bowl. Photo: Nguyen Khac Tuong Daffodils often appear during the Lunar New Year and on the altars of many Hanoian families. Nguyen Trang, who loves and has extensive knowledge of the flowers, shared that every year since the 1990s, her mother has had to buy a bunch of beautiful daffodils and put them in an antique glass bowl to offer on her grandfather's altar. The hobby of displaying daffodils contributes to preserving traditional culture and bringing it closer to modern life. Today, the hobby has become more common in daily life. People prune flower bulbs from December to the end of April. Daffodil pruning has become popular on occasions such as New Year's Day, Valentine's Day, Women's Day, and Reunification Day. Beautiful bowls of daffodils also appear at weddings, birthdays, and conferences throughout the spring. Currently, many groups have been created for people who are interested in the flowers and enthusiasts join to share … [Read more...] about Tending daffodils is an elegant aspect of Hanoian culture

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The consumer price index (CPI) in the first quarter of 2023 increased 4.18% year on year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment. At a press conference on March 29, GSO Director Nguyen Thi Huong cited a number of major factors behind the rise, including the rising price of housing and construction materials (7.17%), which hiked the CPI in the period up by 1.35 percentage points. Meanwhile, a 4.41% increase in the price of food and foodstuff due to high demand during the Lunar New Year festival also caused a rise of 0.94 percentage point of the CPI. At the same time, education service prices surged 10.13% as some localities ended the tuition fee exemption and reduction scheme that aimed to ease people’s difficulties during COVID-19 pandemic. This also led to a 0.62-percentage-point rise in CPI in the period. price s of petrol, gas and post-telecom services. CPI … [Read more...] about CPI increases 4.18% in Q1

Representatives of the ILO and the Vietnamese partners show the signed Decent Work Country Programme Vietnam 2022 - 2026 on March 28. (Photo qdnd.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – The Decent Work Country Programme Vietnam 2022 - 2026 was signed between representatives of the Vietnamese Government, workers, and employers and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Hanoi on March 28. The MoU on the programme was signed by Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung, President of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL) Nguyen Dinh Khang, Chairman of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Pham Tan Cong, President of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance (VCA) Nguyen Ngoc Bao, and ILO Country Director for Vietnam Ingrid Christensen. The country programme provides a cooperation framework for the ILO and the Vietnamese partners until 2026 with a view to ensuring decent and sustainable work for all and that by 2026, Vietnamese people, especially those at … [Read more...] about Vietnam, ILO sign decent work country programme for 2022 – 2026

Climate change, rapid urbanization and large-scale construction are the main causes of Hanoi's flooding. Technology and innovation are crucial to protecting the capital city from heavy rains and urban flooding, Nguyen Trong Dong, Deputy Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee, said on March 28. Tran Thai Tong street in Cau Giay District flooded after heavy rain. Photo: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times Speaking at the 50th anniversary of the founding of Hanoi Sewerage and Drainage Co. Ltd., he said the company needs to speed up digitalization and improve performance and governance so that Hanoi can handle 50-55% of total sewage by 2025. Dong said the company needs to review all wastewater management criteria and standards to improve its performance. "The company must strengthen its cooperation with city departments and propose possible solutions to improve the city's wastewater treatment capacity," he added. "The company should also develop plans to … [Read more...] about Technology critical to Hanoi’s urban flooding solution

The phase will be implemented in Cao Bang, Kon Tum, and Ninh Thuan provinces, aiming to empower ethnic youth, especially girls and young women, in boarding secondary schools and neighboring communities to overcome stereotypes and to voice and act on their dreams, hopes, and aspirations in education. Speaking at the event, Justine Sass, Chief of the Section of Education for Inclusion and Gender Equality of UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, said that education can be a true source of empowerment when it addresses the gender-based barriers, stigma, and discrimination that hold learners back from fulfilling their right to education and future life, work and leadership opportunities. “We must harness education's power to unlock the potential of learners in all of their diversity and transform educational institutions to achieve just, equal, and inclusive societies,” she shared. UNESCO Representative to Vietnam Christian Manhart said that the project is expected to contribute to the … [Read more...] about UNESCO continues promoting education for ethnic girls

Nalin Wickramasingher, Powerledger's BD and Sales Executive, and Le Thi Phuong Cam (L), EVNCPC's Deputy General Director, announced the partnership. (Photo courtesy of Powerledger) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Australian energy trading technology company, Powerledger, on March 28 announced it’s partnering with Vietnam Electricity Central Power Corporation (EVNCPC) to launch Vietnam's first peer-to-peer (P2P) energy trading project at the Australia-Vietnam Forum on Energy Transition. The initial 6-month trial will see Powerledger’s technology used by so-called “prosumers” with rooftop solar in central Da Nang city and Quang Nam province to sell electricity directly to consumers. “This project is a major step for Vietnam. It will showcase how, with the right technology, issues of intermittency and grid congestion can be overcome whilst still growing renewables. Everyone on both sides of the partnership is looking forward to the results,” said Powerledger Chairman Dr Jemma Green. … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s first blockchain peer-to-peer energy trading project launched

US President Joe Biden recognized Vietnam as an important partner, committed to supporting its independence, self-reliance, and prosperity. Vietnam and the US should continue to ensure economic, scientific, and technological cooperation as the core and driving force for bilateral relations. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong at the talks. Source: VNA General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong gave the remarks during his phone talks with US President Joe Biden on March 29 on the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Partnership. Trong hoped the two nations would uphold their defense-security cooperation agreements, prioritize trade promotion, and explore new cooperation areas such as logistics, digital economy, green transformation, and health. He emphasized the need for intensified collaboration in various fields, including addressing the aftermath of war, UN peacekeeping, information … [Read more...] about Economic – science cooperation key pillar in Vietnam-US relations: Party chief

The CEO and Regional Head, Client Coverage, Americas, Standard Chartered, shared his view on Vietnam's significance for US businesses and why Vietnam is potential for foreign investors. Vietnam has gone from being a frontier economy in ASEAN to a flourishing, cost-effective industrial nation. Firms and investors looking for new markets to grow, source, or manufacture their products – especially in Asia – should consider Vietnam’s long-term potential and stay updated on its opportunities. Steven Cranwell, CEO and Regional Head, Client Coverage, Americas, Standard Chartered. Photo: Standard Chartered In recent years, Vietnam has benefited from the trade tensions between the US and China. With US companies adopting a ‘China plus one’ approach to their supply chains, the percentage of exports from Vietnam to the US has risen by approximately nine percent between 2018 and 2021. It is, however, important to note that Vietnam has been an alternative to China … [Read more...] about The significance of Vietnam for US businesses and why they should take notice: Standard Chartered

Bangkok (VNA) - The Thai government will fully support this year's Songkran Festival , which takes place from April 13-15, with 17 – 20 million people expected to travel around the country next month. According to Government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri , Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had ordered state agencies to prepare grand events for the holiday. The expected number of tourist represents a significant increase from the COVID-19 pandemic period. Anucha said the government has launched campaigns to encourage people to enjoy trips and travel during public holidays between now and September under the Tourism Authority of Thailand's "Visit Thailand Year: Amazing New Chapters" scheme and such campaigns as We Travel Together, Wonder Deal and Secret Code 365. To ensure safety, visitors are encouraged to install the "I Lert U" smartphone application, which allows users to report issues and request assistance. Moreover, it locates the caller and sends help using the … [Read more...] about Thailand expects 17-20 million travelers during Songkran Festival