Remittances contributed by migrants account for 5% of Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP). International migration and internal migration in Vietnam have long played a very important role in the country’s socioeconomic development and they will continue to do so. Park Mihyung, Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Vietnam, shared that view with The Hanoi Times . Park Mihyung, Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) Vietnam. Photos: IOM Vietnam “If you look at the GDP, up to 5% of the country’s GDP comes from remittances contributed by international migration and that’s only recorded remittances, so it should be a lot more,” she said. For that reason, when the migration governance is done right and well, there’s a lot of positive development and contributions to Vietnam when they return and with their remittances, Park added. In addition, there’s also a recognition that … [Read more...] about Migration significant to Vietnam’s socio-economic development: IOM
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Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City among world’s top 25 trending destinations in 2023: TripAdvisor
Specifically, Hoi An in the Central province of Quang Nam occupied the second place on the list as part of the annual Travelers' Choice Best of the Best Awards, following Cuba, while the southern metropolis secured 11th place. The category reveals destinations with the greatest year-over-year growth in interest on Tripadvisor based on travelers' reviews over a 12-month period between November 1 and October 31. "Hoi An on the central Vietnamese coast is a well-preserved example of the important Southeast Asian trading port it was from the 15th-19th centuries," Tripadvisor commented. "Already a common stop for backpackers, it is becoming better known to tourists." Meanwhile, Vietnam's bustling largest metropolis of Ho Chi Minh sets the cultural and economic pace for the country, Tripadvisor said, adding the former Saigon boasts charming French colonial architecture and wide boulevards. The U.S.-based travel site advised tourists to visit the War Remnants Museum at 28 Vo Van Tan … [Read more...] about Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City among world’s top 25 trending destinations in 2023: TripAdvisor
Hanoi coffee shop among world’s quirkiest: US weekly magazine
"It's not just the coffee," said the American magazine, "but the hundreds of handwritten notes that adorn most every surface." Located at 64 Luong Van Can Street right next to Hoan Kiem (Sword) Lake in the heart of Hanoi, the entire coffee shop is covered with colorful post-it notes written by its customers. The notes are mainly inspirational quotes or comments about the lessons of life left by visitors from around the world. The three-story café attracts passers-by with its red signboard, views of Hoan Kiem Lake and nearby pedestrian zone. "Make sure to try a cup of egg coffee, which is more delicious than it sounds," Newsweek recommended. In addition to signature egg coffee, the café serves fresh juice, smoothies, snacks and sweet cakes with prices ranging from VND30,000-50,000 ($1.28-$2.13). The list also included Coffee 101 in Colombia, Majestic Café in Portugal, Café Sofa in the Czech Republic, Blacklist Coffee Roasters in Australia and The Roastery by Nozy Coffee in … [Read more...] about Hanoi coffee shop among world’s quirkiest: US weekly magazine
PM examines Mai Son – National Highway 45 project
PM Pham Minh Chinh inspects construction of the Mai Son-National Highway 45 project (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on January 28 inspected the Mai Son (Ninh Binh province)-National Highway 45 project, a section of the North-South Expressway. The first phase of the 652.86km North-South Expressway has 11 component projects, three of which are invested in the form of public-private partnership (PPP) and the rest, including the Mai Son-National Highway 45 project, are funded with public investment. The Mai Son-National Highway 45 section has a total length of 63.37km and an investment of 12.11 trillion VND (561.03 million USD). Its construction started in September 2020, and is scheduled to complete on April 30, 2023. So far, 83.7% of all workload has been finished. PM Chinh took the occasion to pay New Year visits to workers in some construction sites along the route and relocated residents at the resettlement area in Dong Minh commune, … [Read more...] about PM examines Mai Son – National Highway 45 project
Vietnamese artist marks Lunar New Year with thousands of carved cats
Of particular note is a collection of more than 2,000 unique works from lacquer artist Nguyen Tan Phat , with each sculpture and lacquer creation having its own colour and cultural story. Phat began the collection nearly 2 years ago. There is no template, with each work a unique version with its own colour and charisma and inspired by daily life and folklore. In his talented hands, Phat breathes life into each statue by combining jackfruit wood and laterite with traditional lacquer art. These works are not only a bridge linking folklore and contemporary culture but also have high applicability. This unique cat statuette can be a display product or a flower vase, a tea table, or a lamp./. VNA … [Read more...] about Vietnamese artist marks Lunar New Year with thousands of carved cats
Intertwined opportunities, challenges for Vietnam’s economy in 2023
Vietnam has to deal with one major external challenge and two internal ones, Dr Pham Sy Thanh, Director of the Chinese Economic Studies Program under the Vietnam Institute for Economics and Policy Research, told the Vietnam News Agency. The external challenge is a strong decline in demand for Vietnamese exports. Many export sectors with revenue of over 1 billion USD like wood and apparel recorded their earnings in October and November 2022 falling 30 - 40% year on year and month on month. This indicates that foreign markets are no longer open or attractive enough for exports in 2023. Export contraction will have a huge impact on many social issues, especially lay-offs, job shortages, and unemployment in industrial parks, he pointed out. Among internal challenges, the first is that the handling of wrongdoings in the bond market and the banking system has caused serious disruptions and congestion of the capital flow. Meanwhile, the cost of capital is one of tough barriers to … [Read more...] about Intertwined opportunities, challenges for Vietnam’s economy in 2023
Cambodia’s ruling party opens extraordinary national congress
Phnom Penh (VNA) - The ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) opened its extraordinary national congress at its headquarters in Phnom Penh on January 28. According to CPP spokesperson Sok Eysan, on the first day, following an opening speech of CPP Honorary President Samdech Heng Samrin , participants will review the party's work in the 2018-2023 period and sketch out directions and tasks for 2023. The congress's agenda also includes CPP policies in national construction and defence in the 2023-2028 period and tasks for the general election slated for July 23. CPP President and Prime Minister of Cambodia Samdech Techo Hun Sen will address the event. Earlier, in a speech at a graduation ceremony of Western University in Phnom Penh, CPP President Hun Sen said the extraordinary congress is held to build a policy framework for the 2023-2028 period, with the participation of district officials who will give their opinions on policy directions of the party in the next five … [Read more...] about Cambodia’s ruling party opens extraordinary national congress