Being one of the best-loved railways in Southeast Asia, Vietnam's North-South Railway, with two ends at Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, attracts many travelers. Lonely Planet, the world-renowned travel guide, named Vietnam National Railway the most incredible rail trip in the world. The 1,730-kilometer journey from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City offers breathtaking views of the country's diverse landscapes, making it a must-see for foreigners coming to Vietnam, the magazine said. "Some railways rattle through historic cities; others swoosh beside spectacular coastlines. A few have an epic history, and one or two are remarkable for the colorful characters onboard. The Reunification Express line, known as the North–South Railway, fulfills all these criteria," it stated. The railway is one of Southeast Asia's best-loved railways and the world's most epic overnight train journeys. It's also one of Vietnam's tourism highlights that attracts many international visitors. … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s Reunification Express named world’s most incredible rail journey: Lonely Planet
Sun world hon thom nature park
Kick-off of the UNESCO-recognized Saint Giong Festival
One of Hanoi's most fascinating and historic events, the festival is a tribute to Saint Giong, one of Vietnam's four immortals. The 2023 Giong Festival kicked off last week at Phu Dong Temple in Hanoi's suburban Gia Lam district. The festival's opening ceremony also marked the recognition of Phu Dong Commune as a new rural area. The opening ceremony of the Giong Festival at Phu Dong Temple in Phu Dong Commune of Gia Lam District. Photo: Hoang Quyet/The Hanoi Times Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Duc Hong, Vice Chairman of Gia Lam District People's Committee, said the district is an ancient land of cultural convergence of Thang Long (original name of Hanoi) and Kinh Bac (an old name designating the northern provinces of Bac Ninh and Bac Giang) and the holy place where Saint Giong was born. "The festival is in commemoration of Saint Giong, or Heavenly King of Phu Dong, who led the country against foreign invaders during the reign of the Sixth Hung King. The … [Read more...] about Kick-off of the UNESCO-recognized Saint Giong Festival
Exhibition in Hanoi to praise Hungary’s national poet
The cultural event aims at celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Sándor Petőfi - a famous Hungarian revolutionary poet and writer. The Embassy of Hungary in Vietnam is holding a photo exhibition entitled " Petőfi : Around the World" at the National Library of Vietnam in Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi. The exhibition is open to the public until June 5. The exhibition, themed at Hungarian poet Sándor Petőfi, will last until June 5 at the National Library of Vietnam. Photo: Embassy of Hungary in Hanoi The exhibition features 19 large-format color posters, with content in both English and Vietnamese, outlining the career and remarkable contributions to the world culture of the Hungarian poet Sándor Petőfi (1823 - 2023). "I believe that the exhibition will be a valuable opportunity for the Vietnamese people and international visitors to Hanoi to learn about the life and career of the greatest Hungarian revolutionary poet and literary figure: Sándor … [Read more...] about Exhibition in Hanoi to praise Hungary’s national poet
Vietnam’s ‘ultra-rich’ population doubles over five years
The annual Wealth Report by Knight Frank said there were 1,059 "ultra-rich" people in Vietnam in 2022, up from 538 in 2017, an 82% increase. An ultra-rich person is defined by Knight Frank as someone with a net worth of at least $30 million, minus loans. By 2027, the number of ultra-rich people in Vietnam is projected to hit 1,300, a 22% increase from 2022, and a 122% increase over the span of a decade, according to the company’s report. Vietnam’s number of high-net-worth individuals, defined as those with assets worth at least $1 million, has also increased by 70% over the last five years, from 40,971 people in 2017 to 70,000 in 2022. The report projected there would be over 112,200 high-net-worth individuals in Vietnam by 2027, a 173% increase over a decade. The report said the rapidly rising number of wealthy individuals in Vietnam aligns with general trends in Asia, where similar patterns have been seen in countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. In the … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s ‘ultra-rich’ population doubles over five years
ROBOTACON WRO 2023 organised nationwide
ROBOTACON WRO 2023 is being organised nationwide for the first time Under the theme connecting the world, the ROBOTACON WRO 2023 competition is co-organised by the Embassy of Denmark, Viet Tinh Anh JSC, and LEGO Education. This year, the teams participating in the contest will be divided into groups with tasks under various topics based on current interests from around the world, such as marine life conservation, underwater infrastructure, port automation, and others. According to the Danish ambassador Nicolai Prytz, he is very proud that the Embassy of Denmark is one of the co-organisers of ROBOTACON WRO 2023, the largest and most prestigious competition dedicated to science, technology, and education in Vietnam for students aged 6-19 years. “I believe that this will be a fantastic playground for young Vietnamese people to learn the necessary skills for the 21 st century, such as critical thinking, teamwork, problem-solving, and technology. The competition also … [Read more...] about ROBOTACON WRO 2023 organised nationwide
Vietnam, Laos promote technological cooperation, technology transfer
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (R) receives visiting Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha received visiting Lao Minister of Technology and Communications Boviengkham Vongdara in Hanoi on May 29. Welcoming agreements signed between the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) and the Lao Ministry of Technology and Communications, Ha expressed his wish that the two sides will actively promote cooperation and technology transfer so that Vietnam and Laos can jointly implement digital and green transformation as soon as possible. With its potential for renewables such as hydroelectricity, wind power and solar power, Laos can become a centre of clean energy, he stated, adding that this is one of the factors that determine the level of attraction for investors in the future. Regarding digital transformation, the Deputy PM appreciated the results that the information and … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Laos promote technological cooperation, technology transfer
A hot dog that isn’t a hot dog in Vietnam
Living in Vietnam can bring moments of total pleasure and those of total wonder. When is a hot dog not a hot dog? Well, that answer came to me through experience some 10 years ago when I began my teaching career here in Vietnam. It was only weeks after I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City to start a new life journey and I had already experienced my first episode of 'Vietnam Belly.' I wasn’t feeling all that great and I found that the local food and cheap beer just weren’t what my body wanted. I met a fellow Australian expat who introduced me to his employer – a major name in Vietnam’s teaching industry. Despite my unreliable health, I interviewed with the company. I was just hoping things would hold themselves together long enough to get the job, and they did. When I found out I got the job, my only thoughts were about how much I hoped I would be able to recover by the time I started classes. Early the next morning, my phone rang. It was the school asking if I could cover a class … [Read more...] about A hot dog that isn’t a hot dog in Vietnam
Viet Nam is South Korea’s 4th largest rubber supplier
A worker collect latex at a rubber plantation in Lai Chau Province. — VNA/VNS Photo Vietnamese rubber exports to South Korea in the first four months of 2023 totalled 12,470 tonnes, valued at US$18.92 million, up 5.6 per cent in volume but down 15 per cent in value year-on-year, according to statistics from the General Department of Customs. Viet Nam's natural rubber is the primary product exported to South Korea. Particularly, the SVR 10 accounted for the largest portion of the total exported rubber, 28.05 per cent, followed by SVR CV60 and SVR 3L with 24.53 per cent and 14.44 per cent, respectively. The drop in value is attributed to the sharp decrease in average export price of all types of rubber over the same period in 2022. Thailand, Indonesia, China, Viet Nam, and the Philippines are the top five rubber suppliers to South Korea, with Viet Nam ranking fourth. However, the Vietnamese rubber market share is shrinking here, while the market shares of Indonesia, China, … [Read more...] about Viet Nam is South Korea’s 4th largest rubber supplier
HCM City seeks to attract remittances, investment
Speakers at a meeting in HCM City on Monday to discuss ways for the city to attract remittances and investment. — Photo danviet.vn HCM City will improve its business climate and create favourable conditions to attract remittances and investment, said a city official. Speaking at a meeting on Monday, Nguyen Duc Lenh, deputy director of the State Bank of Viet Nam (SBV) HCM City branch, said the city planned to enhance monetary and foreign exchange policies and remittance services. Options for remittances include money transfers, cheques, bank transfers, prepaid cards and several other ways of sending money without a bank account. "Besides foreign investment (FDI), remittances are a major source that helps ensure the foreign currency supply and stabilise the national foreign exchange reserves," he said. Financial and banking expert Nguyen Tri Hieu said Viet Nam should ensure stable macroeconomic policies to increase the confidence of overseas Vietnamese to send back money for … [Read more...] about HCM City seeks to attract remittances, investment
PV Power receives “BB” rating for third consecutive year
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