The vibrance of Hanoi culture is inspiring young musicians – locals and expats alike – to take on electronic music as a new medium to search for the ‘soul’ of the city. Ever since he set foot in Hanoi during a short exchange program six years ago, Robin Marty, a French student majoring in marine science, has been captivated by the robust life brimming in every corner of the Vietnamese capital city. “You always see bunches of young girls and boys driving around on their cheap electric bikes gagging and shouting. Most people smile first, then talk," Marty wrote in a release note for his 2021 EP Tra Da (Iced Tea). “And it is not uncommon to see people randomly singing in the street, in a shop, on their balcony. “I feel like that’s something we have forgotten back home [in France]." Limebócx members perform at a music event at Hanoi Rock City in December 2022. Photo : Hanoi Rock City Yet, in the meantime, the allure of modernism is gradually taking over the … [Read more...] about Poetry in commotion: Young artists capture Hanoi’s spirit in electronic music
Outstanding students award 2021 cuhk
ASEAN strengthens joint promotion activities for tourism recovery
The Deputy Minister of Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism hopes Vietnam will soon welcome ASEAN delegations to attend major tourism events in Vietnam this year. In 2023, ASEAN member countries will enhance the promotion of tourism projects, further facilitate the connection between ASEAN destinations, and strengthen joint promotion activities in key markets and within ASEAN. Deputy Minister of Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MOCST) Doan Van Viet gave his proposal at the 26th Meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, which is taking place in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, within the framework of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF 2023). Ministers of ASEAN member countries attend the event. Photos: TITC MOCST’s Deputy Minister Doan Van Viet hoped that ASEAN members would soon remove entry requirements related to Covid-19. He said Vietnam welcomes ASEAN delegations to attend major tourism events in Vietnam this year, including the VITM … [Read more...] about ASEAN strengthens joint promotion activities for tourism recovery
Australia considers Vietnam a key partner in the region: Australian Foreign Minister
During the talks, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh lauded Vietnam visit of Marise Payne following her reappointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs cum Minister for Women of Australia, saying that it proves the Australian government’s appreciation for Vietnam and substantial ties between the two nations. Deputy PM Minh thanked the Pacific country for maintaining the supply of development assistance to Vietnam, saying that it has been used effectively, contributing to Vietnam’s socio-economic development. For her part, Ms. Payne affirmed that Australia considers Vietnam one of its key partners in Southeast Asia and wants to further promote the bilateral relations and cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks. The two sides agreed to facilitate high-level visits in the coming time, effectively uphold 19 bilateral cooperation mechanisms, especially annual meetings between the two defense and foreign ministers, and hold the first … [Read more...] about Australia considers Vietnam a key partner in the region: Australian Foreign Minister
Vietnam – Asia trade reaches nearly USD 475.3 billion in 2022
Accordingly, Vietnam’s exports to other Asian countries reached USD 177.26 billion in 2022, up 9.5% year-on-year. The country’s imports from other Asian nations hit USD 298.03 billion, up 9.6%. Vietnam saw a trade deficit with only Asia among the five continents. Major trade partners of Vietnam in Asia include China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). According to preliminary statistics of the General Department of Customs, Vietnam's total import-export value of goods reached USD 730.2 billion last year, up 9.1% compared to 2021. The value of imports and exports between Vietnam and Americas, Europe, Oceania, and Africa was USD 153.73 billion (up 10.5%), USD 75.45 billion (up 2.8%), USD 17.62 billion (up 24.3%) and 8.1 billion (down 3.9%) respectively. Source: VNA … [Read more...] about Vietnam – Asia trade reaches nearly USD 475.3 billion in 2022
Former president Nguyen Xuan Phuc formally hands over work
At the ceremony, Phuc, 69, said that as the prime minister during the 2016-2021 term, he was responsible for letting several officials, including two deputy prime ministers and three ministers, commit violations that caused severe consequences. "Being aware of my responsibility to the Party and the people, I summitted a request to resign from all positions and to retire. During the extraordinary meetings of the Central Party Committee and the National Assembly, I had raised this issue unequivocally and clearly," he said. "My family, my wife and children did not earn personal gains or commit corruption related to Viet A, and have never met Viet A director, and these have been clearly concluded by the Central Inspection Commission," Phuc said, referring to the test kit scandal of Viet A Technology Corporation that involved many government officials. On January 17, the Central Party Committee agreed to let Phuc stop serving as a member of the Politburo and the committee , … [Read more...] about Former president Nguyen Xuan Phuc formally hands over work
With Zenly gone, new location-tracking apps watch Vietnam
Bao Ngoc, a 21-year-old student in Hanoi, said he and his group of 20 friends had been loyal Zenly users for 3 years. But the 10-year-old app, which is owned by Snap, officially shut down on February 2. "The end of the app made our group disheartened, so we wanted to find a similar app to replace it," Ngoc said. Potential candidates include Whoo, BFF or iSharing, Ngoc said. Each of them have different functionalities, but all are similar to the now-defunct Zenly. However, the most popular location-tracking app in Vietnam at the moment is Whoo. Data from Google Trends revealed that the number of searches for the keyword "Whoo" has tripled since the end of January. Over the past week, Whoo has also ranked among the most downloaded apps on the App Store and Play Store. Whoo, developed by Japanese firm LinQ, was released on iOS in December last year, and then on Android in January. The app garnered over 100,000 downloads on the Play Store in just 10 days. Its interface and … [Read more...] about With Zenly gone, new location-tracking apps watch Vietnam
Urban planning, management – a focus in 2023: construction minister
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Ministry of Construction will pay attention to urban planning and management in 2023 , according to Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi . Specifically, the ministry will focus on improving the quality of planning to match the mindset, vision, and forecasting while ensuring feasibility. It is necessary to exercise strict control in the stages of planning appraisal and adjustment, as well as strengthen local inspection and guidance activities, and rectify local authorities’ capacities and conduct in planning issues. At the same time, legal regulations and management tools will continue to be perfected to strictly control the process of synchronous urban development – one that goes in tandem with industrialisation, modernisation, rural development, enhancing the competitiveness of urban areas, effectively using resources, especially resources from land, from urban space development, stated Nghi. According to the minister, in … [Read more...] about Urban planning, management – a focus in 2023: construction minister
Long An province reduces poverty with efficient credit programme
Nguyen Thi Kim Hong in Long An province’s Tan An city feeds her cattle. She received a soft loan from the government to set up her business, and has managed to escape poverty. (Photo: VNA) Long An (VNS/VNA) - The Mekong Delta province of Long An has taken effective measures to eradicate poverty. It had only 6,234 poor households, or 1.3% of the total number, as of the middle of last year, according to its Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. A programme that provides soft loans to poor and near-poor people to do some business has been one of the major reasons for the significant and sustainable reduction in poverty. Le Van Chinh in Kien Tuong town’s Thanh Hung commune used to be poor, and received loans on two occasions under the programme and has escaped poverty. He first got 20 million VND (850 USD) to breed chickens in 2016, and repaid the loan in 2019. He then wanted to switch to growing hydroponic vegetables in combination with breeding … [Read more...] about Long An province reduces poverty with efficient credit programme
Vietnam promotes tourism to ASEAN market
He made the remarks at a press conference held within the framework of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2023 in the city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, from February 2-5. Last year, Vietnam welcomed a total of 3.66 million foreign visitors, 23.3 times higher than the 2021 figure. In January 2023 alone, the number of foreign tourists to the Southeast Asian nation reached more than 871,000, up 44% year-on-year. The official said that Vietnam has a variety of tourism products. In addition to four main options, namely marine tourism, ecotourism, cultural tourism and urban tourism, it also boasts attractive complementary products such as luxury resort tourism, adventure tourism, wellness tourism, and golf tourism. Introducing Vietnam's tourism policy in the post-COVID-19 period, Mr. Ha Van Sieu said that Vietnam has resumed visa exemption for those from ASEAN countries, thereby helping people in the region travel easily. Its Government has also supported tourism businesses to reconnect with … [Read more...] about Vietnam promotes tourism to ASEAN market
Ninh Binh – one of 10 most welcoming regions: Booking.com
A view of Tam Coc in the Trang An Landscape Complex of Ninh Binh . (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The northern province of Ninh Binh has been named among the 10 most welcoming regions in the world, one of the category of the Traveller Review Awards 2023 recently announced by Booking.com , a hotel booking app covering 228 countries and territories. Ninh Binh stands at the seventh position on the list, which also include La Rioja (Spain), Epirus (Greek), Oberosterreich (Austria), County Down (UK), Mures (Romania), Marlborough (New Zealand), Limon (Costa Rica), Newfoundland & Labrador (Canada), and North Dakota (US). Ninh Binh, 90 km southeast of Hanoi, has rich potential in cultural and spiritual tourism. It also boasts a charming natural landscape and many unique and amazing caves. Ninh Binh is home to the ancient capital of Hoa Lu during the reign of the Dinh Dynasty (968-980). With unique artistic, geological, geomorphic, and landscape values and traces of … [Read more...] about Ninh Binh – one of 10 most welcoming regions: Booking.com