High pedestal to reach for 2023’s growth ambitions Vietnam’s economic growth is projected to ease to 6.3 per cent in 2023 from a robust 8.02 per cent last year, as services growth moderates and higher prices and interest rates weigh on households and investors, according to the World Bank’s latest Taking Stock report released last week. Growth is expected to pick up to 6.5 per cent in 2024 as the economies of Vietnam’s main export markets gain strength, the report said. The outlook for Vietnam reflects heightened uncertainty in the global economy. Downside risks include weaker-than-expected growth in Vietnam’s major export markets, which include the United States, China, and the Eurozone, tightening financial conditions, higher domestic inflation, weaknesses in the balance sheets of corporate, banking and household sectors, and financial sector vulnerabilities. The Vietnamese government has set a target that GDP will increase 5.6 per cent in Q1, 6.7 per cent in Q2, 6.5 per … [Read more...] about High pedestal to reach for 2023’s growth ambitions
Times higher education ranking 2023
Deputy PM holds bilateral meetings on sidelines of UN 2023 Water Conference
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (L) and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. (Photo: VNA) New York (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha had bilateral meetings with many foreign leaders on the sidelines of the UN 2023 Water Conference, which is taking place in New York from March 22-24. In a meeting with King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand, Ha hailed the King's initiatives and efforts in organising and co-hosting the conference, following the first of its kind in 1977. The Deputy PM expressed his hope that the Dutch royal family and the King himself will continue supporting the development of the Vietnam-Netherlands relations, including the Netherlands’ financial support and technological transfer to Vietnam in green transition, renewable energy, water resources management and climate change response. Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha and King of the Netherlands Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand. (Photo: VNA) The … [Read more...] about Deputy PM holds bilateral meetings on sidelines of UN 2023 Water Conference
No time to waste in building the offshore wind industry
As part of the draft national Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8), Vietnam plans to generate 7GW offshore wind capacity by 2030, but the lack of an official strategy is hindering progress. At a conference organised by the Central Economic Committee last week, Mark Hutchinson, chairman of the Southeast Asia Task Force, said, “7GW of offshore wind is crucial for Vietnam for its net-zero goal and for the country’s long-term energy security. Our message has been the same for years – a clearly defined route to the market is needed.” He said that offshore wind deployment was in its early stages and the deployment of the country’s 4GW of offshore wind was not driven by a direct auction mechanism but instead arranged at a time when clear policy measures were not in place. Thus, he called for accelerating a large-scale pilot or mechanism that covers a certain volume of the target, to bypass obstacles and fast track wind power. “There are now two main options: an accelerating mechanism such … [Read more...] about No time to waste in building the offshore wind industry
US human rights report gives one-sided evaluations of Vietnam: MOFA
Vietnam has always considered the people as the driving force of the country's development process and is committed to improving the lives and ensuring the rights of all its citizens, leaving no one behind. During a press conference today [March 23], a journalist raised questions about the 2022 U.S. Human Rights Watch report, which accuses several Asian countries, including Vietnam, of grave and systematic human rights violations. Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang. Source: MoFA Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang shared Vietnam's perspective on the issue, saying that protecting and promoting human rights is a consistent policy of Vietnam. "Vietnam has always considered the people as the driving force of the country's development process and is committed to improving the lives and ensuring the rights of all citizens, leaving no one behind," Hang said. Hang added that basic human rights were enshrined in Vietnam's … [Read more...] about US human rights report gives one-sided evaluations of Vietnam: MOFA
Vietnam stresses importance of ethical standards in handling water resources
Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has highlighted the need to establish a social ethical standard in relations and behaviours regarding water resources, especially transboundary water, in accordance with the principles of fairness, equality, rationality, and respect for the rights and interests of other countries in river basins. He made the call when addressing the opening session of the UN 2023 Water Conference in New York on March 22. Sharing concerns about the fact that nearly one-third of the world's population are living in countries with water stress or scarcity, the Deputy PM stressed that the water agenda should be given a prominent position in sustainable development, alongside climate change, socio-economic development and environmental development. He said a global science-based legal framework is needed to orient and coordinate the sustainable exploitation, use, and restoration of … [Read more...] about Vietnam stresses importance of ethical standards in handling water resources
Vietnam’s Agribank wins many local prestigious prizes
Over the past 35 years of development, the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, better known as Agribank, always proves its position and role as a leading commercial bank in Vietnam. It has pioneered monetary policies, contributing to stabilizing the macro-economy, curbing inflation and supporting the country’s economic growth. The bank has cemented its key role in developing the agriculture sector and rural areas and offering credit and services to serve the country’s socio-economic development. Agribank was proud to receive the Vietnam National Brand award for the third consecutive year in 2022 and was among the top 10 Vietnamese strong banking and financial brands the same year. The lender has obtained impressive achievements in digital and green transformation and made substantial contributions to community development. Despite the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Agribank, with its initiative and flexibility, has employed multiple … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s Agribank wins many local prestigious prizes
Vietnam ready upgrade US ties on 10th anniversary of comprehensive partnership
The US was the largest export market to Vietnam in 2022 with Vietnamese exports to the former reaching US$100 billion. Vietnam is willing and ready to foster bilateral relations with the US, Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ deputy spokesperson Dang Thu Hang said at a press conference in Hanoi on March 23. Prime Minister meets US corporate executives on March 22 during a meeting with the US-ASEAN Business Council. Photo: VGP "The Vietnamese Government expects to foster our relations with President Joe Biden's administration," Hang replied to a reporter's question about Vietnam's readiness to upgrade the Comprehensive Partnership to a Strategic Partnership with the United States. "We hope the Vietnam-US relations will be strengthened in-depth, sustainability and efficiency for regional and international peace and cooperation," she said. Hang said that the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership has grown stronger in the face of bilateral, regional, and … [Read more...] about Vietnam ready upgrade US ties on 10th anniversary of comprehensive partnership
Gains feasible through large-scale FDI
The second annual report on foreign investment in Vietnam for 2022 released earlier in March by the Vietnam’s Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises noted that the United States has decreased corporate income tax from 25 to 21 per cent, while also reforming investment licensing procedures. In addition, the US government is applying higher taxes on imported products to increase the competitiveness of several industrial sectors, such as energy, automobiles, steel, and aluminium. Vietnam may need to come up with new tactics to retain foreign investors, photo Le Toan Besides that, the US is also promoting a “prosperous economic network” that connects allied countries to build supply chains of products such as semiconductors and 5G-related technology. In Europe, some countries such as Germany and Italy have also unveiled policies to limit investment in overseas markets, while France is encouraging its enterprises to expand their operation in high-value sectors, such as … [Read more...] about Gains feasible through large-scale FDI
Nordic countries share circular economy, waste management solutions with Vienam
Nordic countries, including Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden, shared their experience in green solutions to a circular economy and waste management and policy implications for Vietnam at a seminar held in Ho Chi Minh City on Wednesday. The seminar was organized by the Embassies in Vietnam of Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden and Fulbright University Vietnam to mark the occasion of Nordic Day 2023 (March 23). In his opening remarks at the seminar, Ambassador of Denmark to Vietnam Nicolai Prytz said with a long tradition of working together to find solutions to common challenges, the Nordic countries are proud to share their experience and knowledge with Vietnam. “We believe that sharing experience and best practices with our partners is essential to promoting sustainable development,” Prytz added. Meanwhile, Ambassador of Norway to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken highlighted the role of the private sector in promoting green innovation, saying, "In the Nordic region, we have seen … [Read more...] about Nordic countries share circular economy, waste management solutions with Vienam
Friendship sub-associations practically help with Italy – Vietnam ties: insider
Renato Darsie (R), Chairman of the Italy - Vietnam Friendship Sub-Association in Veneto , presents the right to use the Vietnamese cultural centre to a representative of Vietnamese students in May 2022. (Photo: VNA) Rome (VNA) – With multiple-year experiences, the Italy - Vietnam friendship sub-associations in regions of the European country can make practical contributions to the friendship and cooperation between the two countries by providing information on Vietnam to Italian people and businesses. So said Renato Darsie, Chairman of the Italy - Vietnam Friendship Sub-Association in the Veneto region, in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency. He described the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship (March 23, 1973 - 2023) as an important milestone marking the growing friendship and political, economic, and cultural ties between the two countries. Bilateral relations over the last 50 years are those of solidarity and friendship across the board as … [Read more...] about Friendship sub-associations practically help with Italy – Vietnam ties: insider