Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou and Vietnamese President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc during the press conference. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất HÀ NỘI — President Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou on Monday emphasised the importance of enhancing relations between the two countries. This is the Greek President's first official visit to Việt Nam. Vietnamese President Phúc praised the hard work carried out between the two countries to make progress with existing relations and revealed plans are in place to strengthen ties in the future. He told the press conference: "The relations between the two countries have seen significant progress recently, and we have set out specific directions and strategies to further deepen our cooperation in all aspects. "We also discussed a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern.” President Katerina Sakellaropoulou said that this visit will enhance relations between the two countries, the first time … [Read more...] about Plans in place to strengthen Greece – Việt Nam ties
Plans for electrification and autonomous tech
Deploying public-private health plans
Vice chairman Torben Minko How do member companies of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) evaluate the potential of public-private partnership (PPP) development in Vietnam? Vietnam has a promising opportunity for PPP development with a dynamic population, an increasing middle-income class, and also a rising need for high-quality products and services. Currently, PPPs are not yet applied in the services area. Service-based PPPs can unlock further contributions from the private sector toward an inclusive, forward-looking, and sustainable healthcare system. As such, a legal framework is a key that is conducive to business via a predictable and sustainable environment. EuroCham’s Healthcare Forum includes three sector committees namely Pharma Group (PG), International Quality Medicines (IQMED), and Medical Device Diagnostics (MDDs). The key interests of EuroCham members in PPP include machine installation models in hospitals, addressing public health concerns, … [Read more...] about Deploying public-private health plans
Techcombank on track for a seat among the top ASEAN banks
Techcombank is on track to be among the top ASEAN banks Techcombank’s rise within the Vietnamese banking industry was highlighted last year when it became the first non-state-owned bank to join Vietnam’s billion-dollar profit club. “Even in the very tough environment we are seeing, our employees have maintained a high quality and reliable service for our customers and this is helping us to deliver stellar performance year after year,” said Jens Lottner, CEO of Techcombank. Last year, the bank continued to reduce costs while focusing on building deposits in its current accounts and savings accounts (CASA), which Lottner described as a “stable and cheap” source of funding. Techcombank’s CASA ratio, which reflects the percentage of the bank’s total deposits that are CASA, jumped from 46.1 per cent in 2020 to 50.5 per cent last year, well on its way to the bank’s target of 55 per cent by 2025. Techcombank’s net interest margin, a measure of the difference between the interest … [Read more...] about Techcombank on track for a seat among the top ASEAN banks
Vietnam, Laos boost construction of road linking two capital cities
There should be special mechanisms for economic ties between the two countries. The governments of Vietnam and Laos are closely working on the construction of the Hanoi-Vientiane expressway project that will facilitate sea access to land-locked Laos. Chairman of Vietnam’s National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue speaks with Vietnamese businesses in Laos on May 15. Photos: Quochoi The information was released by Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue of Vietnam’s National Assembly who is on his three-day visit to Lao starting on May 15. Hanoi-Vientiane expressway, which is being built with funding from Japan, will enable Laos to access the sea in Vung Ang Seaport, Vietnam’s central province of Ha Tinh. Launched in 2016, the 725-km project, with an estimated investment of US$4.5 billion, is expected to boost economic connectivity between the two countries and Thailand’s northeast. Hue said the two countries' economic ties need to be boosted to become commensurate to the strong … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Laos boost construction of road linking two capital cities
AEON Mall wants to invest in four more projects in Hanoi
The Japanese retailer plans to build 16 more shopping malls in Vietnam by 2025. AEON Mall Vietnam, the Japanese retailer, wants to invest in three or four more projects in Hanoi by 2025. AEON Mall shopping mall in Long Bien District. Photo: AEON Mall This plan was proposed by General Director of AEON Mall Vietnam Nakagawa Tetsuyuki at a recent meeting with Hanoi Party Secretary Dinh Tien Dung on May 13. By 2025, the Japanese retailer wants to build 16 more shopping malls in Vietnam. It is currently operating six department stores in Vietnam, including two commercial centers in Hanoi’s Long Bien and Ha Dong districts. As investment procedures for its project in Hoang Mai District is being finalized, the General Director of Aeon Mall Vietnam hoped Hanoi will continue to support and remove obstacles so that the execution of the project could kick off in the third quarter of this year. The Japanese business also asked the city to support the research and … [Read more...] about AEON Mall wants to invest in four more projects in Hanoi
VND1.098 trillion to upgrade Nha Trang – Saigon railway section
The Nha Trang - Saigon railway section. (Photo: SGGP) According to the proposal, the project has a total investment of more than VND1.098 trillion (US$47.9 million) funded from the State budget in the medium-term public investment plan for the 2021-2025 period. The project is expected to be implemented in three years, from 2022 to 2025. The project scope is in the Nha Trang - Saigon section of the North-South railway line, with the starting point at Nha Trang Station (Km1314+930) and the ending point at Saigon Station (Km1726+200), with a total length of about 411 kilometers. Specifically, the project will renovate and upgrade five weak bridges on the route; renovate and upgrade the upper layer architecture of nine degraded sections, with a total length of more than 87 kilometers. At the same time, the project will repair and upgrade Song Than Station (cargo station); build a new station combined with renovating the railway and synchronous works of Di An Station. Along with … [Read more...] about VND1.098 trillion to upgrade Nha Trang – Saigon railway section
Vietnamese PM receives leaders of U.S. companies in New York
Meeting with CEO of Warburg Pincus Charles Kaye, PM Chinh noted that in the time ahead, it is necessary to improve the effectiveness of funding and focus on the key areas that can boost other fields. He stressed Vietnam is investing efforts in developing strategic infrastructure, including digital and transport infrastructure, digital transformation, climate change fight, the capital market, and digital transition, calling on the private equity firm to promote sources of investment into Vietnam in these areas. Clarifying the issues of Warburg Pincus’s concern like the cooperation capability of Vietnamese companies, macro-economic stability, infrastructure, and logistics, the PM affirmed that the Vietnamese Government is ready to hold dialogue with enterprises so as to field their questions and help them operate successfully in the country, which shows the mutual trust, sincerity, sense of responsibility, and win-win cooperation. He also asked enterprises, including Warburg … [Read more...] about Vietnamese PM receives leaders of U.S. companies in New York
Vietnamese, Cambodian defense ministers hold talks
At the talks, the Vietnamese defense minister expressed his delight at meeting with Tea Banh, Cambodian Deputy PM, Defense Minister and co-chairing the first aforementioned exchange. General Giang emphasized the special significance of the first Vietnam-Cambodia Border Defense Friendship Exchange since the first time the two defense ministries hold a border defense friendship exchange at the defense minister level. More significantly, the exchange is held in this year which is selected to be the Vietnam - Cambodia and Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Year and marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (June 24, 1967 - 2022), and the 45th anniversary of Cambodian PM Hun Sen’s “Journey to the fall of the Pol Pot genocidal regime” (June 20, 1977 - 2022). The Vietnamese defense chief expressed his emotion when receiving sincere, warm and friendly welcome of the local people and the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense during the activities … [Read more...] about Vietnamese, Cambodian defense ministers hold talks
N.A. Chairman visits Lao – Viet Bank in Vientiane
LVB was established on June 22, 1999 and had charter capital of 791.3 billion LAK (100 million USD at the date of capital contribution). Present in nine of the 18 provinces and cities in Laos, it is Vietnam’s leading commercial bank and also one of the three largest financial institutions in the country, with total assets currently approximating 1.1 billion USD - ranking third in the local banking system. Speaking highly of the bank’s development over the last 23 years, Chairman Hue, who is paying an official visit to Laos, said BIDV should help promote investment and give advice to Vietnamese firms planning to invest and do business in Laos. As bilateral trade stands at only 1.3 billion USD at present, much lower than the target of 2 billion USD, enterprises should make use of the Lao market, which is in close proximity to Vietnam. Aside from credit services, BIDV and its LVB need to develop non-credit ones so as to help achieve that target, he went on. The great friendship, … [Read more...] about N.A. Chairman visits Lao – Viet Bank in Vientiane
N.A. Chairman attends groundbreaking ceremony of Laos – Vietnam park
The May 15 event took place on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (September 5, 1962) and 45 years of the signing of the Laos - Vietnam Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977). The Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Office of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee are the main investors of the project. The park is located at Dong Mak Khai which is planned to be turned into a large urban centre of Vientiane capital city. It is a symbol of the special solidarity and close-knit ties between Vietnamese and Lao Parties, States and peoples, said Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Ba Hung at the ceremony. Once operational, the park will serve as an education venue, helping young generations of Vietnam and Laos as well as international friends understand more about the good, pure relationship, he said, noting that the project also demonstrates viewpoints and guidelines of the two Parties and States on … [Read more...] about N.A. Chairman attends groundbreaking ceremony of Laos – Vietnam park