NDO/VNA – Authorities of Ho Chi Minh City will closely coordinate with the Republic of Korea to prepare for the Ho Chi Minh City – Gyeongju World Culture Expo 2017, said Permanent Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem on July 20. He made the statement during a reception for Secretary General of the event’s Organising Committee Lee Dong Woo in the city. Speaking highly of the significance of the festival, Liem noted that the event, which is featuring an array of cultural exchange activities, will help deepen mutual understanding and solidarity between people of the two nations and enhance their bilateral strategic partnership. The two sides’ competent authorities are actively cooperating with each other for the hosting of the expo, which demonstrates the interest and goodwill of the two local governments, the official said. He commended the Organising Committee for drawing up a detailed master plan for the … [Read more...]

NDO – Vietnam produced a flying start to their 2018 AFC U-23 Championship qualifiers campaign by impressively thrashing Timor Leste with four unanswered goals in their Group I opener at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City on July 19. Crowd favourite, striker Nguyen Cong Phuong, lived up to expectations by scoring twice for the home side, including one finish from the penalty spot. The remaining two goals were scored by Ha Duc Chinh and Nguyen Tuan Anh. The rain-soaked stadium prevented both teams from properly deploying their set tactics. Despite being the underdogs, Timor Leste created the first opportunity of the match after four minutes with a close-range strike by forward Monteiro, which beat Vietnamese goalkeeper Tien Dung but unluckily for the away side stopped right in front of the goal line due to a small puddle. After a poor opening, Vietnam gained confidence and began to take control of the game. In the 17th minute, taking advantage of a scrappy … [Read more...]

NDO - The 10th International Exhibition on Electrical Technology and Equipment and the 7th International Exhibition on Products, Technologies for Energy Saving and Green Power opened at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Centre in Ho Chi Minh City on July 19. The exhibitions have attracted over 170 companies from countries across the globe, including those from Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, Italy, Turkey, Russia, and Singapore, among others. Almost 300 stands from domestic and international enterprises are displaying technologies and equipment for thermal and nuclear power plants, solar and wind power and other alternative energies, as well as electrical transmission systems including transformers, meters, insulators, and other electrical tools. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade Nguyen Phuong Dong stated that the two exhibitions offer local and foreign exhibitors a chance … [Read more...]

Statistics from the General Department of Customs showed that the US remained Vietnam’s largest footwear importer as of late May with USD 1.99 billion, up 13.9 percent year-on-year and accounting for 35.2 percent of Vietnam’s total footwear export value.  Photo for illustration  The European Union (EU) ranked second with USD 1.76 billion, up 9.7 percent annually and making up 31.15 percent of the total. It was followed by China (USD 418.4 million), Japan (USD 284.4 million), the Republic of Korea (RoK) (USD 158.3 million). Those five markets accounted for 83.3 percent of Vietnam’s earnings from footwear export.  The US also took the lead in buying Vietnam’s handbags, suitcases and briefcases, spending in excess of USD 555 million, up 6 percent and making up 41.1 percent of Vietnam’s shipments of those products. Behind the US was the EU (USD 365 million), Japan (USD 146.5 million), … [Read more...]

At a press conference in Ho Chi Minh City on July 18, he said, “We have the chance to enter the final round of the AFC tournament so we will take the opportunity. Vietnamese fans have high expectations of the Vietnam team this time, so the pressure on us is high.”  Vietnam’s U22 team seen in a training session in preparation for the qualifying round of 2018 AFC U23 Championship. Photo: bongda.com.vn  Vietnam is in Group I along with the Republic of Korea, Timor Leste and Macau.  Vietnam will play Timor Leste in the first qualification match today at the Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.  The team will next face Macau on July 21 and the Republic of Korea on July 23.  The top two teams in the group will qualify for the AFC event’s final round held in China, next year.  “I don’t care whether Timor Leste is playing hard or not. The most … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) boast huge cooperation potential in energy development, especially clean energy, said a RoK expert. Yeo Sungku, Director of the Energy Valley Enterprise Development Institute (EVEDI), made the statement at a Vietnam-RoK investment forum held by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Ho Chi Minh City Branch (VCCI-HCM) on July 17. He said that RoK’s energy industry possesses strengths in clean energy production and high-quality technologies while Vietnam’s demand for energy is high and will be on the rise. Therefore, boosting cooperation between Vietnam and RoK enterprises in the field will help create an energy supply-demand chain to serve the development of both countries, he added. Talking about advantages of RoK energy firms, Director of BA Energy Company Choi Jiwon said RoK businesses have not only paid attention to producing energy but also seeking … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA - Vietnamese labourers in the Republic of Korea (RoK) were advised to return home after their labour contracts expire while attending a workshop in Incheon on July 16. The workshop was held by Vietnam’s Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Embassy of Vietnam in RoK. The event was attended by Vietnamese Deputy Ambassador to the RoK Tran Anh Vu, Director of the Ministry’s Centre of Overseas Labour Ha Xuan Tung, Director of the RoK Human Resource Development Department Woo Bong Woo and about 300 Vietnamese labourers working in the city and the surrounding vicinity. Addressing the event, Vu underlined fruitful labour cooperation between Vietnam and the RoK based on the two nations’ memorandum of understanding relating to the Employment Permit System programme signed in May, 2016. He called on Vietnamese labourers in the RoK to adhere to regulations in their contracts, the host country’s laws and to return home when … [Read more...]

NDO – The embassies of Vietnam and Laos in the Republic of Korea (ROK) organised a friendship exchange in Seoul on July 15 to celebrate 55 years of bilateral diplomatic ties (September 5, 1962-2017) and 40 years since the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty on Amity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977-2017). >>> Foreign Ministry, Lao Embassy celebrate Friendship Year 2017 Vietnamese Ambassador to the ROK Nguyen Vu Tu and Lao Ambassador Khamsouay Keodalavong recalled the development of the special relationship between the two countries over the past decades. The diplomats stressed that the Vietnam-Laos relationship has been built, fostered and developed by generations of the two countries’ leaders in wartime, during which both nations supported one another to combat common enemies leading to the final victory. The relationship still holds significant meaning in the current period as the two countries are facilitating national … [Read more...]

NDO – Although the Republic of Korea (ROK) is currently Vietnam’s second largest import market, the growth rate of imports from the country has been very high, leading Vietnam’s trade deficit with the ROK to surpass that with China for the first time. In that context, numerous efforts are required to slow down the trade deficit momentum from the land of Kimchi. Imports from ROK surge 51.2% in six months According to the General Statistics Office, Vietnam imported US$22.5 billion worth of commodities from the ROK in the first six months of 2017, representing a 51.2% increase in comparison to the same period last year. Despite being Vietnam’s second largest import market, after China, the growth rate of Vietnam’s import revenue with the ROK was the highest. Vietnam’s key imports from the ROK included machinery, equipment and tools (up 123.5% annually); electronics, computers and accessories (up 46.1%), and phones and phones … [Read more...]

NDO - In 2017, the agriculture sector is facing two major challenges including the complicated situation of climate change and increasing competitiveness in the market. In order to improve on the 3% GDP growth in 2016, with export revenue of just US$33 billion, the agricultural sector is prioritising the restructuring of production to meet the market demand and adapt to climate change. Remarkable progress Over recent times, thanks to the close attention of the Party and State, the active coordination among the relevant sectors and branches, as well as the efforts of farmers in implementing agricultural restructuring, challenges have gradually been resolved. In the first six months of 2017, the agricultural sector reached 2.65% of the 3.05% growth target and export revenue reached US$17.1 billion, with almost all major industries meeting the target. In the first half of 2017, export turnover of agro-forestry-aquatic products hit US$17.1 billion, up 13.1% … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Vietnam and Malaysia have agreed to increase visits across all levels and through every channel, along with exchanges between their citizens, in order to advance their strategic bilateral partnership. The consensus was reached during Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh’s visit to Malaysia from July 11-13 at the invitation of his Malaysian counterpart Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. On July 12, Deputy PM Binh met with Senate President Sanasee Vigneswaran, as well as holding talks with his Malaysian counterpart Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He also had a meeting with UMNO Secretary-General Tengku Adnan bin Tengku Mansor, and hosted receptions for President of the Court of Appeal Raus bin Sharif, Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi bin Ali and the minister in charge of the National Security Council Shahidan bin Kassim. During the meetings, the two sides agreed to foster collaboration in national defence and security, and justice, including the timely organisation of the … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Vietnam and Malaysia have agreed to increase visits across all levels and through every channel, along with exchanges between their citizens, in order to advance their strategic bilateral partnership. The consensus was reached during Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh’s visit to Malaysia from July 11-13 at the invitation of his Malaysian counterpart Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. On July 12, Deputy PM Binh met with Senate President Sanasee Vigneswaran, as well as holding talks with his Malaysian counterpart Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. He also had a meeting with UMNO Secretary-General Tengku Adnan bin Tengku Mansor, and hosted receptions for President of the Court of Appeal Raus bin Sharif, Attorney-General Mohamed Apandi bin Ali and the minister in charge of the National Security Council Shahidan bin Kassim. During the meetings, the two sides agreed to foster collaboration in national defence and security, and justice, including the timely organisation of the … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – Vietjet Air kicked off its three golden-day promotion, offering 200,000 air tickets priced from zero dollars on July 12 to celebrate its two newest international routes. The promotion, which is available at www.vietjetair.com, applies on all international routes from Vietnam to Seoul, Busan (the Republic of Korea)/ Hong Kong (China)/ Kaoshiung, Tainan, Taichung and Taipei (Taiwan)/ Singapore/ Bangkok (Thailand)/ Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)/ Yangon (Myanmar)/ Siem Reap (Cambodia) and for travel between September 1 and December 31. Vietjet’s new routes connect passengers between Seoul/Busan (the Republic of Korea) and Siem Reap (Cambodia), easing the travel of individuals, tourists and businessmen to the famous locations, the airline said in its statement. The Seoul – Siem Reap route is operated daily with tickets priced from VND1.3 million (US$55) for one way while the daily Busan – Siem Reap route will start from VND1.6 million (US$70) for one … [Read more...]

Huyen finished first in the final round of the women’s 400m hurdle with a time of 56.14secs. Indian Anu Raghavan took the silver with a time of 57.22secs, while Sayaka Aoki of Japan grabbed the bronze medal with a time of 58.18secs.  Nguyen Thi Huyen taking a gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India on Saturday. Photo: vietnamnews.vn With this result, Huyen broke her Southeast Asian (SEA) Games’ record of 56.15secs, which she set in 2015 in Singapore. The Asian gold medal is an important milestone to mark her return to the line-up of best Vietnamese athletes. At the 28th SEA Games in Singapore two years ago, Huyen won three golds in the 400m, 400m hurdles, and 4×400m relay while setting game records in the latter two events. Her results in these games gave her two individual qualifying times for the 2015 World Athletics Championship and the 2016 Rio … [Read more...]

NDO - A Nhan Dan selection of notable events that made headlines over the past week. 1. PM visits Germany, attends G20 Summit PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the G20 Summit discussion. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his spouse paid a visit to Germany and attended the G20 Summit in Hamburg from July 5-8, at the invitation of German Chancellor Angela Merkel. During his time in Germany, the PM talked with German Chancellor Angela Markel and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier; held a dialogue with a number of leading Germany businesses; and attended and delivered speech at the Vietnam-Germany Business Forum. The Vietnamese leader was the keynote speaker of the discussion on sustainable development, climate change, and energy, at the G20 Summit in Hamburg. On the sidelines of the event, PM Phuc had official meetings with President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in, Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Indian PM … [Read more...]

NDO/ VNA – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with country leaders and senior officials on the side-lines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg on July 8. Meeting Indonesian President Joko Widodo, the PM asked Indonesia to deal with fishery issues in a humanitarian spirit, in line with their strategic bilateral partnership. He suggested accelerating the conclusion of negotiations on demarcation of exclusive economic zones between the two countries. Widodo, for his part, expressed his support for Vietnam’s successful hosting of APEC Year 2017 and agreed with the Vietnamese PM’s suggestions. In another meeting with his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, the Vietnamese PM urged India to gradually clear trade barriers, with the aim of incresing two-way trade to US$15 billion by 2020. The Vietnamese government is ready to offer all possible support for Indian firms to conduct business in Vietnam, he said, adding that Vietnam backs the … [Read more...]

On behalf of President Tran Dai Quang, PM Phuc invited the RoK and Australian leaders to attend the 25th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting slated for this November in Vietnam. They thanked and accepted the invitation with pleasure. He highly valued the RoK President sending a special envoy to Vietnam shortly after he was sworn into office, saying the move showed that President Moon attached importance to the two countries’ strategic partnership. The meeting between Vietnamese PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in. Photo: baochinhphu.vn The two sides agreed to increase high-ranking visits and meetings amid the 25th founding anniversary of their diplomatic ties this year. The countries will bolster cultural exchanges and economic, trade and investment cooperation in order to raise bilateral trade to USD 100 billion in 2020. Highlighting the RoK’s role as the … [Read more...]

The Vietnamese leader was the keynote speaker of the discussion on sustainable development, climate change, and energy. He stressed Vietnam is one of the countries to be most vulnerable to climate change and negative impacts of unsustainable exploitation of water resources of the Mekong River. He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to early achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, adding that the priorities would be reducing poverty, addressing inequality, improving education, promoting renewable energy and coping with climate change. "Vietnam has been continuing to integrate climate change preparedness into its development planning, and is fully committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 8 percent by 2030, and even upwards of 25 percent if the country receives necessary support from the international community," he said. As the host of the Asia-Pacific Economic … [Read more...]

NDO – Vietnam’s shrimp exports in the first six months of 2017 reached US$1.56 billion, an increase of 15.7% over the same period last year, according to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP). Of which, White leg shrimp exports reached US$955 million, up 20.4% over the same period, while Black tiger shrimp recorded US$421 million, down 5.3%. The strong growth in this sector contributed to the total seafood export value of Vietnam in the first half of 2017 was estimated at US$3.6 billion, up 14.6% year on year. Shrimp exports recorded a strong growth in the last three months as in the first quarter of 2017, domestic shrimp raw material resources fell sharply, while the price of raw materials increased, leading to a shortage of raw materials for businesses. This has caused shrimp exports to slow down, slightly down by 0.1% compared with Q1 2016. However, by the second quarter of 2017, the reduced supply of shrimp … [Read more...]

NDO – Although half the year has already passed, Vietnam’s garment and textile export revenues have only reached a mere US$14.2 billion, accounting for approximately 45% of the year’s plan at more than US$31 billion. As assessed by experts, Vietnam’s garment and textile industry is continuing to face numerous difficulties this year in the context of the world’s declining consumption demand and fiercer competition among exporting countries. Therefore, together with efforts made by businesses in implementing measures to boost exports, it is necessary for ministries and sectors to issue support policies for enterprises. Confronting numerous challenges According to the statistics provided by the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex), Vietnam’s garment and textile export revenues hit US$14.2 billion in the first six months of 2017, representing an increase of 10.6% compared to the same period last year. The United … [Read more...]