Luan provides the service to strangers for a small fee, and to friends for free. The artificial intelligence (AI) app chats with users as though it were a human being with the ability to apply encyclopedic knowledge in a variety of ways. More than one million people around the globe signed up for the app during the first week of its release in early December of last year. The AI-based chatbot became highly sought-after in Vietnam shortly thereafter. Luan said he received about 300 requests to create accounts with the chatbot in December. By mid-January, ChatGPT had taken the world by storm and the number of global users had skyrocketed. ChatGPT had signed up 10 million subscribers across the world 40 days after its launch. According to Google Trends statistics over the past three days, "ChatGPT" and "OpenAI" (the U.S. startup that created ChatGPT) have been two of the most searched keywords in Vietnam. Luan said the number of account set up requests he received last … [Read more...] about AI trend ChatGPT taking over Vietnam
Profit taking
Volatile real estate market puts pressure on business results
A construction site of Phat Dat Real Estate Development Joint Stock Company (PDR). PDR reported net revenue of VND14.6 billion (US$622,600) in the last 3 months of 2022. — VNA/VNS Photo A volatile real estate market caused revenues and profits of realty businesses to decrease sharply in the fourth quarter of 2022. Phat Dat Real Estate Development Joint Stock Company (PDR) reported net revenue of VND14.6 billion (US$622,600) in the last three months of 2022, a sharp decrease compared to the VND1.29 trillion recorded in the fourth quarter of 2021. The company suffered an after-tax loss of VND229.4 billion in Q4 of 2022, while in the same period in 2021, it reported a net profit of VND751.4 billion. This was considered Phat Dat's "failure" quarter as the company reported a loss for the first time since it announced business results. Dat Xanh Group Joint Stock Company (DXG) reported a loss of VND460 billion in the last quarter of 2022. During the period, the company's net revenue … [Read more...] about Volatile real estate market puts pressure on business results
Digital technology to spearhead Vietnam’s drive for Industry 4.0
By 2025, the Ministry of Information and Communications expected Vietnam to have 80,000 digital tech firms, meeting at least 50% of digital tech and services from state agencies. Vietnam aims for the digital technology industry to lead the implementation of Industry 4.0 in the country, with revenue growth 2.5 times higher than the overall GDP expansion rate. ICT to help Vietnam realize the digitalization process. File photo The target was revealed in the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC)’s directive for information and communication technology (ICT) development in 2023 and the 2024-2025 period. "Digital technology focused on design, creation, and manufacturing in Vietnam is the main industrial sector driving the nation's industrialization and modernization, contributing to greater digitalization capability and shaping a digital country," the MIC stated. Under the plan, the ministry expected revenue from the ICT sector would hit US$165 … [Read more...] about Digital technology to spearhead Vietnam’s drive for Industry 4.0
FDI to Vietnam’s real estate rises by over 70% in 2022
Vietnam's real estate market continues to show strong appeal to foreign investors despite global economic difficulties. The foreign direct investment (FDI) into Vietnam’s real estate market in 2022 rose by over 70% yearly to US$4.45 billion, focusing on industrial and large-scale commercial projects, according to the Ministry of Construction (MoC). Real estate projects in Hanoi. File photo The MIC’s report suggested that real estate stands second among sectors with the highest FDI attraction in 2022, which showcases “the strong appeal of the market to foreign investors amid a difficult global economic environment.” Neil MacGregor, Managing Director of Savills Vietnam, echoed this view by saying foreign investors remain attracted to Vietnam, especially in production, retail, logistics, and real estate. He expected the attention from foreign investors would help the local real estate accelerate the recovery process this year. Regarding this sentiment, HSBC … [Read more...] about FDI to Vietnam’s real estate rises by over 70% in 2022
Nearly 9,000 petrol stations call for support from PM
Nearly 9,000 petrol stations nationwide have sent a group letter to PM Pham Minh Chinh, asking for his support to amend petrol trading regulations. Illustrative photo In their letter, the petrol retail businesses complained that many policies have become outdated, causing them great losses. They called for the amendment of Decree 83/2014 and Decree 95/2021 on petrol trading. The decrees regulate that petrol retail businesses can only sign contracts with one supplier and are often dependent on them, badly affecting their competitiveness. "That only supplier usually refuses to sell the products ahead of a price hike as they want to wait and get higher profits," the letter said. "As such, we sometimes have to close due to a lack of supply." The retailers proposed that local authorities allow them to get products from at least three suppliers. The proposal has received support from the Ministry of Industry and Trade, which said that the decrees should be … [Read more...] about Nearly 9,000 petrol stations call for support from PM
Vietnam athletes offered $1mn for winning Paris Olympic gold medal
Vietnamese athletes will get US$1 million for each gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, $500,000 for silver, and $200,000 for bronze. The bonuses, which are the biggest rewards ever offered in Vietnam’s sports history, result from a deal signed by the Vietnam Olympic Committee (VOC) and a strategic partner of the International Sports Funding & Support Association (ISF) in South Korea that will sponsor the entire amount. As per the agreement, some key Vietnamese athletes and teams will go to South Korea for training. Dang Ha Viet, general director of the General Sports Administration of Vietnam under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, affirmed the ISF support will create a 'golden' chance for Vietnam to elevate its rankings in the regional, continental, and global arenas. The 2024 Summer Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024 with Paris as its main host city alongside 16 other French cities. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics held … [Read more...] about Vietnam athletes offered $1mn for winning Paris Olympic gold medal
PwC Vietnam appoints Mai Viet Hung Tran as general director
Tran is currently the assurance leader for PwC Vietnam, a role he has played since 2019. He has over 26 years experience in auditing, accounting and management through construction and real estate, manufacturing and services, hospitality as well as the entire sale and retail industry. Mai Viet Hung Tran Tran’s core expertise lies in assurance, International Financial Reporting Standards and Vietnamese Accounting Standards. Under his leadership, the assurance practice has grown significantly and built up a portfolio of audit clients, including many local companies and multinational corporations. "We are pleased to announce Tran’s appointment and are confident that under his leadership, the firm will continue to grow and deliver on our client and people's expectations. It has been a fulfilling experience leading the firm since 2011, growing our multidisciplinary practice, developing new capabilities and most importantly, driving efforts to make PwC a better place to work … [Read more...] about PwC Vietnam appoints Mai Viet Hung Tran as general director
IFC appoints new regional Asia-Pacific VP
Riccardo Puliti, IFC’s new regional vice president for Asia and the Pacific. — Photo courtesy of IFC Riccardo Puliti, who was on Wednesday appointed IFC’s new regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific, will focus on addressing multiple crises amid global economic slowdown. An Italian national, Puliti will oversee IFC’s regional efforts in spurring private sector growth and identifying impactful collaborations for a green, resilient, and inclusive recovery in response to multiple crises and a deteriorating global economic outlook. Economies in the Asia and Pacific region continue to suffer from COVID-19 disruptions. At the same time, Russia’s war in Ukraine, tightening global financial conditions, weaker global growth, and more frequent disruptive weather events linked to climate change threaten to dampen the region’s growth trajectory, according to the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects report. In taking on the role of IFC’s Vice President for Asia and the … [Read more...] about IFC appoints new regional Asia-Pacific VP
EcoFlow introduces a series of power and renewable energy solutions in Viet Nam
With the RIVER series, EcoFlow provides a wide selection of portable power systems perfectly designed for camping trips. —Photo courtesy of the company EcoFlow, an eco-friendly energy solutions company, has introduced a series of power and renewable energy solutions to the Vietnamese market, offering the best solutions for the best possible chance to have a wonderful camping trip. EcoFlow provides a wide selection of portable power systems perfectly designed for camping trips. With the RIVER series, campers can have plenty of backup energy in a compact device. The RIVER Pro is the most powerful in the series and comes with three AC outlets and a combined 600w output, while the RIVER Mini, with a weight of just 2.8kg, is the perfect size to carry in a backpack while still pumping out nearly 300w of power. If you prefer to prepare for any incident, invest in reliable backup power to recharge your portable power station. The EcoFlow Portable Solar Panels attach to your RIVER PPS … [Read more...] about EcoFlow introduces a series of power and renewable energy solutions in Viet Nam
Macro-economic stability, inflation control continue to be priority: Prime Minister
Chairing the Government’s monthly teleconference with localities on February 2, PM Pham Minh Chinh requested keeping a close watch on the domestic and foreign market situation. He asked for extensive monitoring of product price and inflation to enable a quick response to the current situation. He also requested timely forecasts and risk warnings while adopting a sound, flexible and effective monetary policy in close and synchronous combination with monetary, fiscal and other policies. The PM also requested that associated ministries ensure the liquidity and safety of credit organizations, gearing credit into production and trade, priority areas and growth pillars. Another important topic is stepping up cashless payment, while tackling difficulties for real estate market, prioritizing capital for transparent and effective enterprises, and enhancing social investment attraction and public-private partnership. Localities need to take initiative for the disbursement of public … [Read more...] about Macro-economic stability, inflation control continue to be priority: Prime Minister