What lays ahead or lies ahead

During the meeting, Mai briefed the guests on the city’s socio-economic development over the past time and affirmed that the locality has always wished to strengthen collaboration with partners from Laos and Cambodia, including the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences and the Royal Academy of Cambodia, and share experience and bolster cooperation with the two neighboring countries’ localities to promote a stronger community in the time ahead. The city’s leader acknowledged that research achievements from academies of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are crucial in setting out right directions for development. Therefore, Ho Chi Minh City wishes the academies of the three countries will continue to promote cooperation in the coming time. For their part, the guests said the organization of an annual science conference of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, and the Royal Academy of Cambodia in Ho Chi Minh City will help … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia boost ties in scientific research

Host and guest shared the view that the formation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development on the occasion of the recent state visit to Vietnam by President Joe Biden will open up a new stage for the intensive and extensive cooperation between the two countries, particularly in economy, trade and investment. Pham Minh Chinh thanked the Trade Representative for her contributions to the development of the bilateral ties, and suggested the two sides actively coordinate to quickly materialize agreements reached by their high-ranking leaders, including the U.S.’s priority of accelerating the recognition of Vietnam’s market economy mechanism, and further opening door for Vietnamese goods like garments-textiles, footwear and farm produce, as well as its consideration of interests of Vietnamese businesses, and not imposing trade remedies on Vietnamese goods on the basis of ensuring balance, fairness and mutual benefits. The PM also … [Read more...] about Prime Minister suggests Vietnam, U.S. create cooperation breakthroughs

Myriad of incentives made in order to tempt office tenants, illustration photo/ Source: freepik.com Hoai Nam, founder of media startup 4-Star, based in Ho Chi Minh City with less than 10 employees, last month received a notice of incentives for services such as extra meeting room hours, and more printing and photocopying credits at his co-company’s working space in District 4. Each month, Nam pays VND3 million ($125) per person excluding taxes and fees for his work location in District 4. The rate was reduced by 25 per cent two years ago. “With the same space, it cost $333 per person in District 1, and I could not afford it. Everyone is cutting costs as it is such a difficult time,” Nam said. In addition to reducing rates, Nam said her landlord was improving facilities and service incentives, so that tenants could extend their contract for a longer term. For example, more greenery is being arranged between desks, and free parking is now offered. Knight Frank Vietnam in … [Read more...] about Myriad of incentives made in order to tempt office tenants

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (third, left) and US senators. (Photo: VNA) Washington D.C. (VNA) – The establishment of the Vietnam -US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development will open up a new period for the enhancement of bilateral relations across spheres, including cooperation between the two legislative bodies, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at a meeting with leaders of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in Washington D.C. on September 19. During the meeting, part of his trip to the US for the high-level week of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly and bilateral activities, Chinh affirmed that Vietnam considers the US a partner of strategic importance. He used the occasion to thank the US Senate in general and its Foreign Relations Committee in particular for their support for promoting the Vietnam-US relations over the past time, including the settlement of war … [Read more...] about Prime Minister meets leaders of US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai. (Photo: VNA) Washington D.C. (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested Vietnam and the US create breakthroughs in cooperation in science-technology, innovation, and education-training at a meeting with US Trade Representative Katherine Tai in Washington D.C. on September 19. Host and guest shared the view that the formation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development on the occasion of the recent state visit to Vietnam by President Joe Biden will open up a new stage for the intensive and extensive cooperation between the two countries, particularly in economy, trade and investment. Chinh thanked the Trade Representative for her contributions to the development of the bilateral ties, and suggested the two sides actively coordinate to quickly materialise agreements reached by their high-ranking leaders, including the US’s priority of … [Read more...] about PM suggests Vietnam, US create cooperation breakthroughs

A representative of the HCMC Greenery Parks company on Wednesday said around 100 trees up to 15 m high on numerous streets of districts 5, 7, 8 and Nha Be were uprooted amid thunderstorms on Tuesday. An uprooted tree lies across a street in HCMC's District 5 on September 19, 2023. Photo by VnExpress The felled trees damaged three motorbikes and a car in District 7, as well as several power and telecommunication lines, disrupting communication and traffic. The Binh Minh golf course in Nha Be District received especially severe damage when 11 metal poles were felled by the winds. Each of the pole costs around VND100 million ($4,115) to be installed. Several metal poles at a golf course in HCMC were felled by strong winds, September 20, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Dinh Van There were no casualties, and the owner of the course has contacted authorities to help with cleaning it up, as well as shuting down the course as the damages incurred were too great. … [Read more...] about 100 trees felled, roofs blown off in Saigon thunderstorms

Speaking at the 2023 Vietnam Economic Forum on September 19, Thanh said, “To achieve a green economic transition and boost renewable energy, electricity prices must fully reflect production costs.” According to Thanh, there has been an influx of new energy sources, many of which are costlier than the current average electricity price. As a rough estimate, if the cost of renewable energy stands between 5-7 US cents per kWh, with the addition of transmission costs, the retail price should rise to 10-12 US cents per kWh. Currently, the average retail price hovers around 8.1 US cents per kWh. This suggests the need for an upward revision, taking the new production costs into consideration. "Naturally, the idea of raising electricity prices will receive pushback. However, without a clear roadmap for such price hikes, transitioning to renewable energy becomes unfeasible," Thanh said, adding, "Energy pricing needs to be more reflective of economic and societal costs. Such measures could … [Read more...] about Electricity prices must reflect production costs for green transition

At the 2023 Australian Investment Forum in Ho Chi Minh City last week, deputy director Vu Van Chung of the Foreign Investment Department under the Ministry of Planning and Investment noted that Vietnamese businesses are now well-equipped to venture into major economies, no longer limiting their focus solely to countries of similar economic stature. One-on-one meetings with representatives from Australian states and territories were held within the Forum. Photo: Australian Embassy in Vietnam “Traditionally, we’ve collaborated with nations matching our development level, management capabilities, and potential,” Chung said. “However, in the past five years, investments from Vietnamese firms have witnessed unprecedented growth in both quality and quantity.” With its burgeoning economic development, Vietnam offers myriad collaboration and international integration opportunities. “Currently, we have approximately 850,000 enterprises, with ambitions to expand this figure … [Read more...] about Australian presence apparent in quality and quantity

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue will visit Bangladesh from September 21 (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Since Vietnam and Bangladesh set up their diplomatic relations on February 2, 1973, the two sides have enjoyed close ties with strong political trust, which lays a firm foundation for them to promote partnership across all fields. Over the past 50 years, the two sides have stood by stood and support each other during national construction, defence and economic development in each country. Along with maintaining regular high-level visits and meetings, the two sides have agreed to work closely to build a long-term vision for bilateral relations, increase visits at high and all levels, strengthen meetings of existing cooperation mechanisms, and consider the resumption and upgrading of the Joint Committee on economic, culture, science and technology cooperation in the time to come. They have concurred to strengthen cooperation in defence-security, economy, trade, … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Bangladesh enjoy strong ties over 50 years

Irish boy band Westlife thrilled Vietnamese audiences on Tuesday night by revealing their plan to come back to Vietnam for a live concert scheduled for November 22. The band wrote on their Facebook account that “Vietnam! We are so excited to be coming back with the Wild Dreams tour on 22nd November 2023.” Their live concert will take place at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, according to their Facebook post. Concert tickets will be put up for sale on Tuesday next week. “Don’t miss out,” they told their fans. A photo of the members of Westlife when they are young. Photo: The Guardian Right after their announcement, the post received some 6,000 emotions, 1,500 comments, and over 1,000 shares from Facebook users. Many fans commented that they were exhilarated and would go to the concert with their friends. The boy band traveled to Vietnam for the first time to perform at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi in 2011, as part of their Westlife Gravity Tour. Two … [Read more...] about World-renowned boy band Westlife to perform in Vietnam in November