Second extinction forum

In a decision issued by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Tuesday, the completion of the capital's second metro line has been pushed back five years later than previously planned. The decision was in line with a recent proposal by the Hanoi People’s Committee to postpone the project’s completion date. The total investment for the project is now over VND34.8 trillion, with VND3.9 trillion more coming from the city budget, and VND2 trillion less coming from Official Development Assistance (ODA). The committee will be responsible for the accuracy of information and statistics regarding the project, including the resolution of potential issues, the decision stated. Hanoi will also be responsible for the delay's extra costs, which will be paid for with funds from the city's 2021-2025 public investment plan. If the project fails to meet its new deadline by the end of 2025, the capital city would have to utilize other sources of funding to complete the project. In April, the … [Read more...] about Hanoi’s second metro line delayed again to 2027

Apple's resilient iPhone sales and Samsung's dominance amidst declining market According to Counterpoint Research, the smartphone market has been impacted by the recent economic difficulties. The report indicates that amidst challenging business conditions, retailers have had to revise their expansion plans and reassess their business strategies. Retail stores have reduced operating hours and lowered salaries due to the reduction in customers since the Lunar New Year. Initially, original equipment manufacturers misjudged the demand, resulting in high inventory levels. Subsequently, realising the actual situation, they rushed to offer discounts to clear the excess stock. All phone manufacturers, except for Apple, experienced a decline in sales in Q1. Glen Cardoza, a senior analyst at Counterpoint Research stated, "The recovery of smartphone demand in Vietnam is expected to be slow in the second quarter of 2023 and will require time while the economy continues to face numerous … [Read more...] about Apple’s resilient iPhone sales and Samsung’s dominance amidst declining market

Workers at Nhon Trach 2 Plant. — VNA/VNS Photo Huy Hung Fitch Ratings has affirmed PetroVietnam Power Corporation (PV Power)’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) at “BB” with a positive outlook. This is the third consecutive year that PV Power has received “BB” rating with a positive outlook, the highest rating that a Vietnamese company can reach. The rating, which is based on PV Power's Standalone Credit Profile (SCP) assessment of “BB”, is on a par with the IDR of its 80 per cent parent, Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN, BB/Positive). PV Power's SCP is driven by its strong market position as Viet Nam's second-largest electricity producer, accounting for around 5 per cent of the country's total electricity output and 5 per cent of installed capacity in 2022. It also benefits from diversified fuel sources, long-term power-purchase agreements (PPAs) with Viet Nam Electricity (EVN, BB/Positive) for more than 80 per cent of its electricity output and a strong … [Read more...] about PV Power receives “BB” rating for third consecutive year

The event attracted the participation of more than 100 people from large Korean investment funds, conglomerates, and small- and medium-sized enterprises operating in banking, green energy, green industry, smart city – urban area building and development, 4.0 industry, science and technology, high-tech agriculture, and manufacturing fields. Deputy head of the ministry’s Consular Department Trinh Thi Mai Phuong said that the forum is a highlight of the program to promote Vietnamese localities in the RoK lasting from May 29 to June 1 to foster cooperation and connectivity between Vietnamese localities and RoK localities and businesses. At the forum, VKBIA President Tran Hai Linh stated that the collaboration between Vietnamese and RoK localities plays an important role in fostering economy, trade, and investment between the two countries. Leaders of Can Tho, Bac Lieu, Kon Tum, and Thua Thien Hue informed the forum on their localities’ potential, strength, and socio-economic … [Read more...] about Vietnam, RoK localities step up cooperation

Last year, Vietnam welcomed over 3.66 million foreign visitors, or over 73% of the target. This year’s figure is set at 8 million, which is an uneasy task. The number of foreign arrivals reached 3.7 million in the first four months of this year, hence, the tourism sector must race to meet the goal. The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with several foreign diplomatic missions in Vietnam, the European Chamber of Commerce, the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, the Vietnam Business Forum, the Tourism Advisory Board and the Private Economic Development Research Board (Board IV) also made proposals for a more favorable visa policy to improve the competitiveness of Vietnam’s tourism industry. Suggested changes in the visa policy are related to the amendment and supplementation of several articles of the Law on Entry and Exit of Vietnamese Citizens and the Law on Entry, Exit, Transit and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam. If approved, the new entry and visa … [Read more...] about Favorable visa policy urged to draw tourists

Tourists visit The Huc bridge, Ngoc Son temple in Hanoi (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Experts are calling for a favourable visa policy to attract foreign tourists, saying that it should be a priority. foreign arrivals reached 3.7 million in the first four months of this year, hence, the tourism sector must race to meet the goal. Ministry of Culture , Sports and Tourism, together with several foreign diplomatic missions in Vietnam, the European Chamber of Commerce, the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, the Vietnam Business Forum, the Tourism Advisory Board and the Private Economic Development Research Board (Board IV) also made proposals for a more favourable visa policy to improve the competitiveness of Vietnam’s tourism industry. At a book street in Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: VNA) VNA … [Read more...] about Favourable visa policy urged to draw tourists

The cover of 'Hip Hop and the Golden Forest', the latest story by Vietnamese-German writer Isabelle Müller. (Photo courtesy of HCM City General Publishing House) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - To mark Children’s Day on June 1, the Ho Chi Minh City General Publishing House has released Hip Hop and the Golden Forest, the latest story by Vietnamese-German writer Isabelle Müller. The book, lovingly told by Muller and beautifully illustrated by her brother, Daniel Gaucher, is recommended for all those who believe in true friendship. In Việt Nam, it has been published in three languages – Vietnamese, English and German. The readers will follow Hip Hop, the little flea, and Little Leaf, on their journey to the Golden Forest. A terrible storm has uprooted the huge solitary ginkgo biloba in the botanical garden near the Green Valley Zoo. Among many others, Little Leaf hopes to find her original roots in order to complete the cycle of life. To succeed, she must find the Golden Forest that’s … [Read more...] about Trilingual book about friendship published on Children’s Day

Read what is in the news in Vietnam today: Politics -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will pay an official visit to Vietnam from this weekend at the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. -- The Indian government will cooperate with the Vietnam Yoga Federation in organizing the 2023 International Yoga Day across 22 provinces and cities in the Southeast Asian country at the end of June, as part of a range of cultural exchange, tourism, trade, and investment promotion events marking 50 years of diplomatic ties between the two nations, Dr. Madan Mohan Sethi, Consul General of India in Ho Chi Minh City, announced at a press conference on Tuesday. Society -- A court in Thanh Hoa Province, north-central Vietnam sentenced a 44-year-old local woman to 13 months’ imprisonment on Tuesday for “resisting officers on duty” by various actions, including threatening to kiss a traffic policeman to death. -- … [Read more...] about Breakfast @ Tuoi Tre News — May 31

A Vietcombank employee talks to a customer at its office. The bank's shares surged by 1.5 per cent yesterday, lifting the VN-Index. — Photo courtesy of Vietcombank The Vietnamese stock market inched higher on Tuesday, extending its rally for the second day in a row. However, gains were capped by strong net selling activities by foreign investors. The benchmark VN-Index on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) rose 3.07 points, or 0.29 per cent, to close the day at 1,078.05 points. It climbed more than 11.2 points, the biggest intraday gain in two weeks, on Monday thanks to the investor's improving risk appetite. Tuesday's rally helped push the index closer to the resistance level of 1,080 points, and may further test the zone of 1,085 - 1,090 points, according to ASEAN Securities Company. Similarly, analysts from Yuanta Securities (Vietnam) Company said that the benchmark was likely to retest the resistance zone of 1,080 - 1,085 points, and the market would continue its … [Read more...] about Market extends gain on positive sentiment