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VUFO President Phan Anh Son (R) presents the insignia to Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son presented an insignia "For Peace and Friendship among Nations" to Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang in honour of his contributions to strengthening and enhancing Vietnam-Laos special solidarity at a ceremony in Hanoi on September 28. Speaking at the event, Son attributed the significant development of Vietnam-Laos ties and people-to-people exchange s over the past four years to contributions of the Lao Ambassador as well the active and effective support of the Lao Embassy in Vietnam . He expressed his belief that in any future position, the Lao diplomat will continue making positive contributions to people-to-people diplomatic activities between Laos and Vietnam, thus further deepening the bilateral great friendship, special … [Read more...] about VUFO President presents insignia to Lao ambassador

In Vietnam, the import of wild-caught lobster larvae is under strict control because of short supply, yet the smuggling of this in-demand shellfish remains rampant on social media, posing immeasurable risks. Many raft owners in Cam Ranh City, Khanh Hoa Province find it difficult to import official lobster larva shipments, while some online sellers offer lobster larvae in great numbers and with plenty of pricing. When buying lobster larvae becomes a gamble Despite being aware of numerous risks in quality, many consumers still go for buying lobster larvae online. "Vendors vaguely claimed that these infant lobsters hailed either from Indonesia or the Philippines,” said Le Phuong Dung, a buyer in Cam Linh Ward, Cam Ranh City. The price per lobster larva peaked at VND60,000 (US$2.46) in July and August, while each cost about VND40,000 ($1.64) at the moment, said Dung. Besides purchasing from a regular contact, she usually orders lobster larvae online as this kind of trading … [Read more...] about Lobster larvae increasingly smuggled into Vietnam

Several ongoing trends in the Vietnamese tourism sector have contributed to its strong recovery in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, with the increasing travel demands of Gen Z and families with kids as significant contributors, according to the Visa Global Travel Intentions Study (GTI) 2023. Vietnam, with its stunning landscapes and diverse cultural heritage sites, has become a popular destination for travelers from around the world. According to the study, it is vital for both travelers and industry stakeholders to understand new trends in Vietnamese tourism following the pandemic. In terms of leisure trips, families with kids and 'Silvers' – individuals older than 60 – made an average of 2.4 trips over the past 12 months, more than any other market segments, according to the GTI 2023. Besides ticking visiting landmarks, Vietnamese tourists are now placing a strong emphasis on leisure-focused and experiential journeys. Relaxation was the main driver of travel, … [Read more...] about Emerging trends expected to power Vietnam’s tourism boom: study

Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Geneva (VNA) – Vietnam has leaped two places in the Global Innovation Index (GII) in 2023, ranking 46th out of 132 countries and territories, according to a GII report released by the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) on September 27. According to the report, Vietnam has continued to show progress in converting innovation input into output performance. The country has jumped from 59th position in 2022 to 57th position in 2023 in terms of input level, while its output level was up one place to 40th position. The GII input pillars include institutions, human capital and research, infrastructure, market sophistication, and business sophistication. Meanwhile, the output performance are knowledge and technology outputs and creative output. Vietnamese scientists making NanoDragon satellite (Photo: VNSC) Particularly, Vietnam has maintained its second position among lower middle-income countries in the overall GII after … [Read more...] about Vietnam leaps two places in global innovation index in 2023

SINGAPORE/HANOI -- Singapore's sovereign wealth fund GIC is among investors vying to buy up to 20 percent stake in grocer Bach Hoa Xanh from Vietnam's retail giant Mobile World Investment, in a deal that could value the grocery chain at up to $1.7 billion, two sources said. GIC declined to comment. Other bidders include companies from Thailand, the sources added, declining to be named as the matter is private. The identity of the potential buyers has not been reported previously. "The deal is nearing to the finalising stage and expected to close soon," one of the sources with knowledge of the matter said, adding that a deal could be sealed as early as the first quarter of next year if negotiations are successful. In a statement to Reuters , Mobile World said it would announce the information once the deal was concluded. "We are still in a private placement and have signed an agreement not to disclose information with interested bidders," it said. The potential deal would … [Read more...] about Singapore’s GIC among bidders vying for stake in Vietnam’s third largest grocery chain

Bach Hoa Xanh is Vietnam's third-largest grocery chain GIC is among the bidders looking to acquire a stake in Bach Hoa Xanh in a transaction that could increase the grocery chain's valuation to $1.5-1.7 billion. Other bidders include companies from Thailand. The deal is slated to be wrapped up in the first quarter of 2024 if the negotiations are successful, as reported by Reuters . "The deal is nearing the finalising stage and is expected to close soon," a source with knowledge of the matter said. Mobile World said, "Information will be announced once the deal is concluded. The company is still in a private placement and has signed an agreement not to disclose information with interested bidders." Established in 2015, Bach Hoa Xanh, backed by Vietnam's retail giant Mobile World Investment, runs more than 1,700 stores in Vietnam's southern and south-central provinces. Mobile World has now decided to proceed with the planned sale after putting it on hold earlier this … [Read more...] about Singapore’s GIC eyes potential M&A deal in Vietnam’s retail sector

RoK and ASEAN flags (Photo: aseanvietnam.vn) Seoul (VNA) – The Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) has announced that the country is taking the lead in food security cooperation in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations ( ASEAN ). MAFRA revealed that the country plans to supply 2,000 tonnes of rice for three ASEAN member states, including Philippines (750 tonnes), Myanmar (750 tonnes) and Laos (500 tonnes) through the ASEAN Plus Three Emergency Rice Reserve (APTERR) agreement. The joint rice reserve among ASEAN member states and the RoK , China and Japan aims to ensure food security and provide emergency support in a time of food shortage or natural disaster events. Each member country agrees to reserve an amount of rice in advance. It is a public reserve system that provides sales, lending, and donation in times of emergency. The RoK is doubling the amount of rice aid to strengthen food security in the ASEAN … [Read more...] about RoK leads in food security cooperation in ASEAN

Hanoi Opera House is given a highlight in the Vietnam video. (Photo: VNA) Seoul (VNA) – A series of videos released by the ASEAN – Korea Centre (AKC) on September 27 is expected to provide a deeper insight into the rich culture and unique architecture of Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam, as well as promote collaboration between the ASEAN bloc and the Republic of Korea (RoK). Themed “a journey to culture and architecture” the five-minute videos shed light on two cities in each nation. The respective countries' national tourism organizations recommended the architecture to be featured in the videos and architect-writer Oh Young-wook provided the commentary. The Vietnam video takes viewer to Hanoi, a city with 1,000 years of history, and Ninh Binh – dubbed as the “Ha Long Bay on land”. It spotlights a blend of European flair and traditional elements in such iconic structures as the Opera House, St.Joseph’s Cathedral, Phat Diem Cathedral and Bai Dinh Pagoda. For Cambodia, … [Read more...] about ASEAN – RoK centre releases video to promote ASEAN tourism

Lotte's largest retail complex in Vietnam has opened all establishment “We are committed to accompanying the socioeconomic development of Hanoi and Vietnam through investment activities, research, and development of more projects here,” said Shin Dong-bin, chairman of Lotte Group. Located in Hanoi, the $624 million complex combines a shopping mall with a hotel, cinema and aquarium, and has officially opened all establishments of the largest retail complex in Vietnam this month, is the 16 th supermarket of Lotte Mart in Vietnam, and the third branch of Lotte Mart in Hanoi. This is in light of the restructuring in China and stagnating sales in Korea. The move signifies Lotte's turn towards Southeast Asia. “1996 marked the beginning of Vietnam's Lotte Group with an investment contract for shopping malls and supermarkets, and now we have 19 member companies of Lotte in Vietnam,” he said. Lotte Shopping operates department stores, hypermarkets and supermarkets, e-commerce, … [Read more...] about New Lotte mall expands operating terms amid growth in foreign retail

Bangkok strengthen fire protection in mini apartment buildings (Photo: VNA) Bangkok (VNA) - As the busiest and most crowded city in Thailand, Bangkok is a destination for many people come to study, work and make a living. Therefore, the local authorities have always paid attention to ensuring  safety and fire prevention in mini apartment buildings . The first regulations on fire protection systems in new buildings in Thailand were passed in 1992, which only required high-rise buildings to install minimum fire protection systems. After that, ministerial-level regulations in 1994, 1997, 2000 and 2005 became increasingly specific and detailed with more stringent conditions on fire protection . In July, an inspection carried out by the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration found that almost 10,000 emergency fire extinguisher units across the capital's 50 districts need to be urgently replaced. BMA also prepared a budget to buy 30,000 fire extinguishers to replace … [Read more...] about Bangkok strengthen fire protection in mini apartment buildings