New heights med spa

Vietnam is striving to lure more Japanese investments to digital transformation and green growth, as recommended in the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative (VJI). Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Phase VIII of the initiative, launched in 2003, concluded in March 2023, under which 497 out of the 597 items were completed. To promote its role, the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment proposed building a cooperation programme between small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the two countries, focusing on digital transformation, support industry and personnel training. Japanese SMEs have capacity, experience and high tech, and Vietnamese firms have abundant human resources, which is reciprocal during their development cooperation. The ministry suggested the Japanese side take more specific solutions and supplement workforce to further support Vietnamese enterprises in improving their capacity and competitiveness, and participating intensively in … [Read more...] about Vietnam attracting Japanese investments to new areas

A rendering of the new Wafaifo Resort in Hoi An, which is due to open in Q1/2024 A new international hospitality brand and hotel called Wafaifo has been launched in central Vietnam. The company will open the 134-key lifestyle resort as part of a strategic plan that includes a new mall, hospitality asset management services, and other tourism-related projects. Its name, Wafaifo, derives from 'wa' from water, and 'faifo', the historical name of Hoi An. Wafaifo intends to offer hospitality project consultancy services across Indochina, drawing on the hotel industry expertise of its co-founders, managing director Pieter van der Hoeven and commercial director Mikkel Krantz. Van der Hoeven and Krantz will work to establish the Wafaifo brand, its flagship urban resort in Hoi An, and build awareness of the diverse attractions in the area to an international audience. They will be supported by Wafaifo deputy managing director Uyen Ngo, who brings experience as the owner of a number … [Read more...] about New urban resort and hospitality company launched in Vietnam

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties on February 26, 1973, the two countries have built a strong and enduring relationship with diverse and increasing interests, which unceasingly grows stronger and stronger. Vietnam is currently considered one of Australia’s most important bilateral partners. In March 2018, the two nations officially upgraded their ties to a Strategic Partnership level, opening a new page in bilateral relations. Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said that “After five decades of development with both opportunities and challenges, facing the constant fluctuation of international situations, Vietnam and Australia have today become reliable partners in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.” In recent years, bilateral cooperation has expanded rapidly, covering various fields from security, defense, trade and investment to education, tourism and innovation. This development is evidence of the strong commitment of the two countries through high-level … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Australia eye comprehensive strategic partnership after 50 years of relations

The message wrote that “During the past 68 years, especially after 36 years of renewal, under the wise leadership of the LPRP, the Lao people have upheld the tradition of revolutionary heroism and overcome all difficulties and challenges to gain great achievements of historical significance in all fields, improving the prestige and position of the LPRP and Laos in the international arena. These achievements are the common joy of the two parties, states and peoples." The Party, State, and people of Vietnam always strongly and comprehensively support Laos’ renovation process and firmly believe that by inheriting the tradition of previous generations and promoting the obtained achievements, under the leadership of the LPRP, the Lao people will make many new and greater achievements in the renewal process, and fulfill the goals set in the Resolution of the LPRP’s 11th Congress and the 9th five-year socio-economic development plan, thus successfully building Laos into a peaceful, … [Read more...] about Congratulations extended to Lao party on 68th founding anniversary

The Japanese Government on March 20 announced the invitation of Vietnamese leaders to attend the expanded G7 Summit, set to take place in Hiroshima from May 20 to May 21, said deputy spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on March 23 during the Ministry’s regular press conference held in Hanoi. (Image source: Japan Center for International Exchange) Regarding the analysis of foreign media that Japan wants to invite Vietnam and Indonesia to the G7, Hang said this shows that Japan attaches importance to relations with ASEAN and desires to upgrade the relationship to a comprehensive partnership, Hang affirmed. Vietnam highly appreciates the strong and substantive progress in the ASEAN-Japan relationship, which has actively contributed to the common goal of peace, security, stability and prosperity. The country welcomes and stands ready to work with ASEAN member states and Japan with a view to taking bilateral ties to new heights, towards … [Read more...] about Japan invites Vietnam to attend G7 Summit

Participation in the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has also enabled Vietnamese farm produce to make inroads into the European market. Belgium is Vietnam’s sixth-largest trade partner in the EU. Bilateral trade surged nearly 54% to 4.3 billion USD in 2021 compared to 2020, and reached 4.5 billion USD in 2022. Notably, since 2018, Vietnam and Belgium have become strategic partners in agricultural cooperation, which was an important milestone in relations. Besides agriculture , Belgium also wants to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in fields such as tourism and healthcare. In addition to economic success, political and diplomatic relations between the two countries have also been thriving thanks to frequent high-level visits. Vietnam and Belgium have also strengthened cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums and in international organisations. With a stable foundation over the past five decades, the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam … [Read more...] about Vietnamese farm produce finds favour in Belgium

Situated in Mang Thit District of Vinh Long Province in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam, the Mang Thit brick village, known as the 'kingdom of bricks' in the region, has a history of over 100 years, making it very attractive to tourists from near and far. The uniqueness of the ancient brick village lies in its kilns, with each of them having a height of 5-12 meters and a round tower shape, creating a distinctive architectural complex. Mang Thit is also regarded as a village of traditional craftsmanship and tourism. Such a perfect combination drives up the village’s economic growth. Blocks molded in clay are sunbathed before being put into a kiln for burning in the Mang Thit brick village in Mang Thit District, Vinh Long Province, Vietnam. Vinh Long Province offers supportive policies to local craftsmen and gives special mechanisms to turn the brick hub into the 'Mang Thit contemporary cultural heritage' to further boost socio-economic development. … [Read more...] about Ancient Mang Thit brick village: A nostalgic destination in Vietnam’s Mekong Delta

Vietnamese boxer Nguyen Thi Tam beat Botswana athlete Modukanele Lethabo Bokamoso in the Round of 16 of the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championship in India on Tuesday to advance to the quarterfinals. With a height advantage, Tam showed a preemptive strategy. She scored an almost absolute point in each of the first two rounds of Tuesday’s showdown. In the third round, Lethabo Bokamoso appeared to be physically weaker and even kissed the canvas once. In the end, Tam won 5-0, including four rounds with absolute points of 30. Her opponent in the quarterfinals is Spain’s Fuertes Fernandez Laura, who ranked ninth in Europe in 2022. The fight will take place at 7:30 pm on Wednesday (Vietnam time). Before Tuesday’s match, Tam had left a great impression on the audience and participants at the championship after her 5-0 victory over Kazakhstani opponent Kyzaibay Nazym, who won the world championship in 2014 and 2016 and was also crowned the Asian champion in 2021. … [Read more...] about Vietnamese female boxer through to world championship’s quarterfinals

Poetic beauty is created from the young green leaves of the trees, creating an attraction in the transition from spring to summer. In the midst of the changing weather, many streets in Hanoi have taken on a new green color as tens of thousands of Bucida molinetii have changed their leaves. The road along the To Lich River or the streets of Hoang Hoa Tham, Xa Dan, Nguyen Luong Bang are attractive photo spots for Hanoians as the rows of small trees turn bright green in the wet and foggy spring weather. The rows of Bucida molinetii on the banks of the To Lich River are in the growing season, creating a dreamy beauty. Poetic beauty is the result of the young green leaves of the trees, which are an attraction in the transition from spring to summer. The small-leaved Bucida molinetii was planted on Hanoi's roads a few years ago. The trees were planted to replace maple trees on some of Hanoi's streets. The … [Read more...] about Bucida molinetii with small green leaves, amazingly photogenic corners in Hanoi

With the facelift and the special value it boasts, Ho Van, a big lake belonging to the system of the Temple of Literature, is expected to become an appealing cultural-creative space of Hanoi in the years ahead. Ho Van or Ho Giam (Lake of Literature), also known as Minh Duong Lake, has recently undergone an important facelift that would be an attractive heritage site in the thousand-year capital city of Hanoi. Kim Chau Islet is the highlight of the new restoration of Ho Van . Photo: Minh An Located in front of the main gate of Hanoi’s famous Temple of Literature and across Quoc Tu Giam Street, the lake is an integral part of the national relic Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam or Temple of Literature, so the preservation and promotion of its value will contribute to the protection of the relic. The renovation of Ho Van took several years to complete. A fresh look Located in the premise of the special national relic complex of the Temple of Literature … [Read more...] about Centuries-long lake in Hanoi gets facelift