Bai Bui Meadow is in Khop Village, Lac Son District, Hoa Binh Province, approximately 140 km from Hanoi, spanning about 9 hectares at an altitude of 600 meters above sea level. According to Nguyen Duc Sam, a local resident who now works in tourism in the area, it was initially used by the local community as a grazing ground for cattle. However, with the local road renovation in 2022, the spot started drawing visitors. On May 13, Vu Minh Quang from Hanoi and his friends decided to camp overnight at the meadow after finding it online. Arriving at around 10 p.m., they could not fully appreciate the scenery due to the darkness, so set up camp and rested. The following morning, they were amazed by the breathtaking view that greeted them. At dawn, they found themselves facing a vast, flat, and green lawn. Local buffaloes and cows leisurely grazed or wallowed in mud pools to cool off. … [Read more...] about Camping at an untouched meadow in northern Vietnam
Redesigning benders decomposition for large scale facility location
Mastercard ramps up fraud protection for e-commerce merchants
The tie-up offers MPGS customers access to Vesta’s Payment Guarantee™ and Payment Protect solutions. — Photo courtesy of the company With merchants estimated to suffer more than US$48 billion in e-commerce fraud globally in 2023 – 22 per cent of that in Asia – Mastercard on June 2 announced the expansion of its partnership with Vesta, the global leader in payment fraud protection. Building on the two firms’ existing fraud detection collaboration, Mastercard will be integrating Vesta’s iron-clad Payment Guarantee™ and Payment Protect risk scoring solution into its Mastercard Payment Gateway Services (MGPS) platform. Starting in the second half of 2023, MPGS customers in the Asia Pacific region will be given optional access to both fraud-fighting solutions which would offer total protection for their eCommerce transactions and take their cost of fraud to zero. “To provide MPGS customers with the toughest, most impenetrable fraud protection available, Mastercard is committed to … [Read more...] about Mastercard ramps up fraud protection for e-commerce merchants
Hanoi cooperates with provinces for safe fruits and farm produce supply
The Fruit and Produce Weeks help Hanoi's residents access and recognize branded products with clear origins. The Hanoi Industry and Trade has been working closely with other provinces and cities to bring many fruit and agricultural products with clear origins and good quality to serve the needs of residents. In recent years, through more than 100 delivery events and weekly fairs, Hanoi has actively supported other provinces and cities in promoting fruit, agricultural products , and specialties in the city. Many good products have been acquired from other provinces by consulting and obtaining support from large distribution companies in Hanoi, such as Aeon, Central Group, MM Mega Market, and others, to sell them in modern distribution channels, not only for the Hanoi market but also in foreign distribution systems such as Japan (AEON), Thailand (BigC). According to Tran Thi Phuong Lan, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, the department has … [Read more...] about Hanoi cooperates with provinces for safe fruits and farm produce supply
Cliff camping in Vietnam: an adventure amid stunning landscapes
During the final days of April, Thuy Duong, a Hanoi resident, went on two cliff camping trips. Such tourism is not popular in Vietnam, and private tours for this activity are non-existent. Duong first discovered the concept of cliff camping around five to seven years ago through foreign travel websites, but it is only now that she has had the opportunity to pursue it. Duong's group embarks on a trekking trip through the Lan Ty Valley in the northern Lang Son Province in late April, 2023. Photo courtesy of Thuy Duong Her first adventure took place in Lan Ty Valley in Lang Son Province that borders China. Along with her friends, Duong engaged in various activities such as trekking through endemic forests and exploring caves. The highlight was camping on a cliff near the peak of Mat Than Mountain. The camp spot was in the middle of the valley, surrounded by mountains and forests. "It was difficult to reach the camp spot. There was heavy rain and thunder on our … [Read more...] about Cliff camping in Vietnam: an adventure amid stunning landscapes
How literature can benefit medical schools
There was this one comment I remember vividly: "It was such a pleasant surprise to learn that there were so many Covid-19 doctors who have a knack for writing." This reader articulated a sentiment I've held for a long time: many professionals in the medical field are adept writers and presenters. Thus, I am far from surprised, and indeed agree, with the fact that four of the 27 medical schools use national literature test results in their admissions processes. It is often overlooked, but the study of human nature is a common ground between the medical and literary fields. While medicine studies the human body in order to treat illnesses, literature describes and explains human behaviors in order to gain insight into the inner life. The medical field's goal is to prevent physical harm, but in many cases, the psyche and one's interpersonal relationships are often a source of that harm. And medicine, particularly psychiatry and psychology, plays a crucial role in providing people … [Read more...] about How literature can benefit medical schools
Vietnam emerges as a major motorcycle market and manufacturing hub
Currently, there are more than 70 million registered motorcycles in the Southeast Asian country with the figure projected to grow even larger in the future. In the first four months of 2023 alone, the country produced more than 1 million new motorcycles. Five major manufacturers: Honda, Yamaha, Suzuki, Piaggio, and SYM hold over 90% of the market share in Vietnam, manufacturers also export fully assembled models to international markets. VAMM said the stage has been set for Vietnam to become an attractive destination for motorcycle manufacturers in the Asia-Pacific region. Due to supply chain difficulties and rising trade tension between the U.S. and China, manufacturers have been shifting their investments to smaller markets in Asia to minimize risks. For example, the Japanese government has allocated a 2.2 billion USD fund in support of Japanese businesses relocating from China while the U.S. government has been calling for U.S. businesses to either return to the U.S. or … [Read more...] about Vietnam emerges as a major motorcycle market and manufacturing hub
Australian PM tries Hanoi draft beer during visit to Vietnam
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spent time visiting a local beer spot in Hanoi to enjoy bia hoi (light Vietnamese draft beer) after he arrived in the Vietnamese capital city on Saturday afternoon. PM Albanese joined a crowd at a draft beer spot on Duong Thanh Street, Hoan Kiem District to drink ice-cold draft beer and have lunch there. The Australian leader sat at the same table as that of Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh and Director of the State Protocol Department Nguyen Viet Dung. Before visiting the draft beer spot, PM Albanese bought a loaf of banh mi, a Vietnamese baguette served with different fillings, for lunch. A staff member of a banh mi stall gives banh mi to PM Albanese. A representative of the Vietnam-based brewer Habeco briefs PM Albanese on the history and development of Hanoi draft beer. PM Albanese jointly says “Mot, hai, ba, do!” (one, two, three, Cheers!) and chats with … [Read more...] about Australian PM tries Hanoi draft beer during visit to Vietnam
Digital technologies prove effective in waste management
Illustrative photo (Photo: baotaiinguyenmoitruong.vn) HCM City (VNA) – As Ho Chi Minh City sees a huge volume of waste discharged daily, digital technologies are said to help solve the problem, and better connect households, authorities, and waste collectors. Many localities in the southern economic hub have applied digital technologies to better waste mangement. Districts 3, 4, Go Vap, Binh Thanh, Binh Chanh, and Tan Dinh ward in District 1 have used the app GRAC for waste management. The app, developed by GRAC Technology Joint Stock Company, with its web-based version, provides management tools for waste collection units and authorities such as waste collection contracts, employees, payment history, notices, and feedback from households. It also supports the management of garbage trucks to see if they travel the wrong routes or skip any stops. With the mobile phone-based version, the app GRAC has the main functions such as household/garbage truck management, monthly waste … [Read more...] about Digital technologies prove effective in waste management
Indonesia resumes sea sand exports after banning for 20 years
Illustrative photo (Photo: thestar.com.my) Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesia has issued a regulation that allows the export of marine sediment in the form of sea sand after banning for 20 years, according to Xinhua. It quoted local media as reporting on May 29 that the regulation about sea sand export is stipulated under the Government Regulation about Management of Marine Sedimentation Products, which states that sea sand can be used for domestic reclamation, infrastructure development for government businesses, infrastructure development by actors, and exports. The regulation was signed by Indonesian President Joko Widodo on May 15 and took effect immediately, replacing the previous regulation issued in 2003 that banned sea sand export s over concerns about illegal fishing. To obtain export permits for sea sand , exporters must submit a permit request and a proposal detailing their plans, partners, and the exact location or coordinate points of the water area they want to … [Read more...] about Indonesia resumes sea sand exports after banning for 20 years