Property sectors

The domestic garment and textile sector has been hardest hit in the on-going wave of layoffs due to the economic downturn, according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLisa) report. The Molisa report showed that in the first half of this year, a total of 510,000 people had their job affected. Among those, 280,000 stopped working or were fired, mostly in industrial parks and economic zones in Binh Duong, Dong Nai, HCM City, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong and Hanoi. Roughly 195,039 workers had their working hours cut during the first half of the year. Up to 8,644 companies had to cut their workforce due to the order shortage. The garment and textile industry were hardest hit as up to 68,782 workers stopped their job or were fired. Meanwhile, 66,600 others in this sector had their working hours reduced. It was followed by the electronic component and product sector with 45,075 people and the footwear industry with 31,653 people quitting their work or … [Read more...] about Garment and textile sector hardest hit in layoff wave

Asia’s increased borrowing in recent decades has augmented the region’s exposure to rising interest rates and heightened market volatility, said the International Monetary Fund (IMF). According to the IMF’s latest report on May 25, over 18 per cent of Vietnamese enterprises were found to have an interest coverage ratio (ICR) below one, indicating a high risk of default as of June 2022. Additionally, 18.32 per cent of companies had an ICR between 1-4, making them vulnerable to increased borrowing costs, while 63.36 per cent had an ICR of four, signalling a good debt repayment capacity. The report attributes the heightened risks to the rising cost of borrowing, as central banks tighten monetary policies and increase interest rates to combat inflation. Despite maintaining growth rates, companies face significant pressure due to higher borrowing costs, reducing their ability to repay debts. As of mid-2022, 17 per cent of Asia’s corporate debt was held by firms with interest … [Read more...] about IMF highlights rising debt risks for Asian companies

Mai celebrates the last night of the lunar year yachting on the Saigon River in January, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Minh Tam Born to a father who served in the American marine corps and a Vietnamese immigrant mother, Mai, 32, felt she was different from others ever since she was a child. "Our names, our hair color, and our eye color were different," Mai told VnExpress as she recalled her and her siblings’ childhood in a small town an hour’s drive from San Diego, California, where the majority of residents were white. "We considered ourselves different from others the moment we stepped out of our houses." Hoping to help Mai and her brothers and sisters blend into the local community, her mother didn’t teach them Vietnamese or Vietnamese culture. Her family rarely watched Asian movies and only visited the area’s Little Saigon district once a year to visit her grandmother. Racism was a serious problem during Mai’s school days. Asian children were forced by other students … [Read more...] about Vietnamese-American woman returns to her roots

The fifth plenary session of the 15th National Assembly has discussed and approved a number of important draft bills, including three new amendments to regulations that have significant impacts on the tourism industry in Vietnam. These policies are expected to boost the recovery and development of the tourism sector. Martin Koerner - Chairman EuroCham Vietnam’s Tourism and Hospitality Sector Committee The first law is to extend the visa exemption duration from the current 15 days to 45 days for citizens of countries that currently can travel to Vietnam visa exempt, including France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan, South Korea, Norway, Finland, Denmark, and Sweden. This law aims to attract more tourists from these key markets and encourage them to stay longer and spend more here. The second law is to expand the list of countries eligible for e-visa from 46 to 80, including markets such as India, Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina. The e-visa allows visitors to apply … [Read more...] about The future of tourism in Vietnam new visa policies and beyond

Illustrative image (Photo: laodong.vn) Hanoi (VNA) - Although the aquaculture industry have been facing many challenges, it continues to receive support from the Government, Director in charge of communications of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers ( VASEP ) Le Hang told Lao dong newspaper. According to Hang, the Prime Minister has demanded the State Bank of Vietnam effectively manage credit operations to ensure the suitable provision of credit capital, and continue to reduce interest rates to support businesses, especially those in aquatic export . The bank has been required to implement supportive and preferential policies, including proposing a credit package worth 10,000 billion VND (over 425.4 million USD) to support businesses operating in forestry and aquatic production and processing industries. Credit programmes should be prioritised for the fisheries sector, towards creating favourable conditions for businesses involved in the … [Read more...] about Government support helps aquaculture industry weather difficulties

At the meeting between Deputy Minister of Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien (second, left) and General Robert Brieger, Chairman of the EU Military Committee. (Photo: qdnd.vn) Singapore (VNA) – The Vietnamese delegation to the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue, led by Deputy Minister of Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien, attended plenary sessions, the official banquet and bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the event, which took place in Singapore from June 2-4. At the meeting between Chien and General Robert Brieger, Chairman of the EU Military Committee, the two sides shared delight at the bilateral defence cooperation over the years on the foundation of the EU-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Framework Agreement (PCA) and the EU-Vietnam Framework Participation Agreement (FPA). Brieger thanked Vietnam for sending two officers to work as lecturers at the EU training mission in the Central African Republic, and affirmed that the EU will continue to … [Read more...] about Vietnamese delegation active at 20th Shangri-La Dialogue

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son . (Photo: VNA) Paris (VNA) – Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang has said Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son’s attendance at the 2023 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM) and official visit to France from June 5-8 would provide an opportunity to reaffirm the common perception of the vision of the bilateral relations and the determination to promote deeper and closer connections between the two countries, particularly in meeting their requirements in the new context. In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents in Paris, Thang said it is the first visit to France by a Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs since the two countries upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership a decade ago. It is also meant to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 10th … [Read more...] about FM’s France visit to reaffirm common perception of vision of bilateral ties: Ambassador

Transformative travel experiences at Banyan Tree Lang Co This year, celebrating its 10-year milestone, Banyan Tree Lang Co unveils new travel experiences, from finding new perspectives of travel through the innovative biodiversity programme, and discovering the finest Thai cuisine at the award-winning Saffron restaurant, to offering a brand new villa: the three-bedroom Seaview Pool Villa. Perched on the Truong Son mountain range, the newly launched villa brings unparalleled luxury to Central Vietnam, offering a spacious heated infinity pool, three bedrooms with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass, and an exquisite private living space featuring an artful interior design inspired by Vietnamese traditions. As a part of the “Stay For Good” initiative of Banyan Tree Group, the new on-site biodiversity initiative inspires and motivates guests to immerse themselves in the natural beauty at Banyan Tree Lang Co, featuring a transformative bird watching experience and the innovative Bird … [Read more...] about Transformative travel experiences at Banyan Tree Lang Co

In the first five months of the year, Vietnam welcomed nearly 4.6 million international visitors, 13 times the amount on-year and equal to 63 per cent compared to 2019. The ten largest markets were South Korea, Mainland China, the US, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Australia, and Singapore, providing a combined total of 3.3 million arrivals, accounting for 71 per cent of the total number of visitors. Before 2019, China was Vietnam's largest international tourist market, accounting for about 30 per cent of the total number of visitors. That year, Vietnam welcomed 18 million international visitors, of which China contributed 5.8 million, followed by visitors from Russia, the UK, and France. After the Covid-19 pandemic, South Korea has since risen to be the largest tourist market with 1.3 million arrivals, followed by China in second. Several European markets have also dropped out of the top ten, replaced by the likes of Cambodia and Singapore. According to … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s Top 10 international tourist markets

Forbes Vietnam on June 5 unveiled the top 50 listed companies in 2023, the 11th year it has released this list in the country. The rankings are based on last year’s audited consolidated financial reports of the companies listed on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HSX) and the Hanoi Stock Exchange (HNX). Forbes Vietnam said total after-tax profit of the 50 firms stands at over 228 trillion VND (9.7 billion USD) while their combined revenue 1.49 quadrillion VND, respectively rising 18% and 24.9% from the 2022 list. The Vietnam National Petroleum Group (Petrolimex) remains the biggest revenue earner with more than 304 trillion VND. Meanwhile, the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) recorded the most after-tax profit, almost 29.9 trillion VND. The top 50 listed companies are divided into sectors, and most are leading firms or those already gaining a foothold in their sectors. The rankings are dominated by businesses in the financial (banking, … [Read more...] about Forbes Vietnam reveals top 50 listed companies in 2023