A China-Vietnam-Laos freight train loaded with agricultural products at Nanning International Railway Port in Nanning, China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (Photo: xinhua) Hanoi (VNA) - Trade between countries along the Mekong River and China posted steady growth last year despite COVID-19 and the sluggish global economy. Specifically, China's trade volume with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam hit 416.7 billion USD in 2022, up 5% year-on-year. The figures were disclosed at the opening ceremony of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Week 2023, which was held on March 23 in Kunming, China’s Yunnan province. Since, the mechanism was launched in 2016, it has become a landmark cooperation model in the region, and has continuously injected vitality into regional development./. VNA … [Read more...] about Trade between Mekong countries, China reaches over 416 bln USD in 2022
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MIC to regulate OTT communication in Vietnam
The MIC called for a level playing field for domestic and foreign companies. Vietnam's Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) is seeking Government approval for a proposal to regulate over-the-top (OTT) interpersonal communication, which would bring popular messaging apps such as Zalo, Viber, and Telegram under the Telecommunications Law. The ministry believes that over-the-top service platforms such as Zalo, Viber, Telegram, and WhatsApp are replacing mobile phone services. However, there are currently no legal provisions governing these platforms, and there is no way to protect users and information security, the MIC stressed. Over-the-top media services, like Zalo, Viber, and Telegram, are displayed on a smartphone. Photo: Anh Quan Some world governments (in Europe, China, and South Korea) have classified this service as a telecom service and regulated it in accordance with the Telecommunications Law, it added. The ministry also called … [Read more...] about MIC to regulate OTT communication in Vietnam
Ocean dialogue discusses offshore renewable energy potential
The event, entitled “Offshore Renewable Energy: Opportunities and Challenges to Green Transition,” drew the virtual and in-person participation of more than 200 domestic and foreign experts. It was jointly organized by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV) and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Foundation (KAS). In his remarks, Assistant to Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu expressed optimism about the development of renewable energy in general and wind power in particular. In the long term, offshore wind power will be cheaper than current fossil fuel-based energy sources, he said, adding that other types of offshore renewable energy are also becoming indispensable elements of the modern, blue economy. Vietnam is committed to joining the common effort of mankind to promote clean energy, as demonstrated through its commitments at the 26th U.N. Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), the official said. Vietnam is an attractive … [Read more...] about Ocean dialogue discusses offshore renewable energy potential
Durian prices sharply fall
Southern durian prices have sharply halved compared to last month. Durian farmers in Tien Giang Province Many farmers in Tien Giang, Long An, Binh Phuoc, and Dong Nai have seen the prices plummet to between VND75,000-85,000 per kilo, down by 15-20 percent compared to last week and by 50 percent against last month's prices. A farmer in Long An, Nguyen Trung, said that he has just sold eight tonnes of durian at between VND70,000-80,000 per kilo depending on the sizes. "I decided to sell them all, fearing that the prices may continue to fall," she said. Mai Ha, another farmer in Tien Giang Province said that she has also sold all the fruits from her garden amid falling prices. "I'm afraid that the prices will continue to fall as the season matures and supply will be high," Ha said. A woman buys durian from a trader in Long An Province According to Van Hoa Investment and Development Company, more export orders were still … [Read more...] about Durian prices sharply fall
Sheraton Saigon launches Straight outta Bangkok
Straight Outta Bangkok, running from March 16 until March 25, celebrates an authentic taste of Thailand and stars guest Thai chef Burin Pongchang from the Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel & Towers Bangkok. Straight Outta Asia is the first culinary event with international guest chefs at Sheraton Saigon Straight Outta Asia casts an extensive array of international guest chefs who have a huge passion for developing their food cultures across the globe. Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea will all be represented. Inspired by the culinary offerings from each region, Straight Outta Asia rolls out the carpet straight to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Seoul, and Tokyo, while guests dine right in the centre of downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Chef Burin Pongchang Thai cuisine is featured as the first concept, as it has become tremendously popular in Ho Chi Minh City for its distinctive harmony of contrasting flavours. Through Straight Outta … [Read more...] about Sheraton Saigon launches Straight outta Bangkok
Hanoi exerts efforts to boost tourism development
Foreign tourists join a double-decker bus tour around Hanoi (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The tourism sector of Hanoi has worked hard to step up linkages with other localities nationwide to diversify products and improve the quality of tourism services, toward attracting more holidaymakers to the capital city. Since the beginning of 2023, Vietnam has seen a significant rise in the number of tourists. Hanoi alone welcomed more than 3 million visitors in January and February, an increase of 2.8% compared to 2022. The figure included 535,000 foreign tourists. In February, hotel occupancy in Hanoi was about 56.2%, up by 39.5% over the same period in 2022. The total revenue from tourists reached 13.2 trillion VND, 3.6% higher than that last year. Tours featuring destinations in Hanoi are always connected with other tourist attractions such as Ha Long (Quang Ninh), Sa Pa (Lao Cai), Trang An (Ninh Binh), and Moc Chau (Son La). Such tours are suitable for tourists nationwide, … [Read more...] about Hanoi exerts efforts to boost tourism development
Strong signals of positive year for industrial real estate market
Due to strong demand from various sectors, average occupancy rates of tier-1 markets in the northern region reached 83.2 per cent as of Q4 2022. — VNA/VNS Photo CBRE Vietnam has reported that Viet Nam's industrial real estate sector is poised for a prosperous year in 2023 due to a surge in demand. This upswing is largely attributed to an ongoing production shift and China-plus One strategy of manufacturers. The rental prices of industrial park lands in tier-1 markets are expected to rise by 5-10 per cent, fueled by robust demand. In addition, the CBRE Market Outlook 2023, released on February 17, revealed that in 2022, net absorption in tier-2 markets witnessed a substantial increase, further confirming the continuation of this trend in the coming years. Throughout 2022, northern industrial markets sustained a positive performance. By the end of 2022, the industrial land supply of tier-1 markets in the North reached 10,291 ha, up 8 per cent yearly. Bac Ninh and Hung Yen are … [Read more...] about Strong signals of positive year for industrial real estate market
Sustainability requirements pose new challenges to garment, textile industry
Workers of a garment company in HCM City. The sustainability requirements pose challenges for Viet Nam’s fashion industry but there are opportunities from the transition to more sustainable and circular models. — VNA/VNS Photo Hong Dat Greening the garment and textile production is no longer an option for the multi-billion-dollar industry but a must in the context of increasing requirements for sustainability around the world, experts said. Many garment-importing countries were taking action for sustainable and circular textiles. The European Commission was calling for an end to fast fashion by 2030 with the Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textile which set eco-design rules, starting with textiles. Accordingly, by 2030 textiles placed in the EU, the world’s largest market for garment products, should be long–lived and recyclable. “There is no other way for the garment and textile industry of Viet Nam if it does not want to be excluded from the global game,” Le Tien … [Read more...] about Sustainability requirements pose new challenges to garment, textile industry