The Federal Reserve on Wednesday raised interest rates by a quarter of a percentage point, but indicated it was on the verge of pausing further increases in borrowing costs after the recent collapse of two U.S. banks. Fed Chair Jerome Powell sought to reassure investors about the soundness of the banking system, saying that the management of Silicon Valley Bank "failed badly," but that the bank's collapse did not indicate wider weaknesses in the banking system. "These are not weaknesses that are running broadly through the banking system," he said, adding that the takeover of Credit Suisse seemed to have been a positive outcome. The Federal Open Market Committee policy statement also said the U.S. banking system is "sound and resilient." Even so, Wall Street ended sharply lower after Powell told a news conference that officials were still intent on fighting inflation while also eying the extent to which recent bank failures had cooled demand and slowed lending. The … [Read more...] about U.S. Fed delivers small rate hike amid global banking turmoil
When will silicon valley return
Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism shows positive signs with return of Chinese visitors
According to the city’s businesses, more Chinese tourist groups will arrive in the city this month and April will be the peak time marking the return of Chinese tourists to Vietnam. On the contrary, the number of Vietnamese tourists booking tours to China will also increase, helping to stimulate demand in the tourism markets of the two countries in the coming time. The forecast is based on the huge tourism demand of Chinese tourists after about three years of disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Vietnam being one of the Chinese tourists’ favorite destinations. In addition, Vietnamese businesses have developed high-quality and oriented products and services for specific tourist segments. Accompanying the business community, the city’s Department of Tourism has just coordinated with the Zhangjiajie city People's Committee in China’s Hunan province and the Vietnam Global International Travel Group Joint Stock Company to organize a tourism promotion conference in Zhangjiajie … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City’s tourism shows positive signs with return of Chinese visitors
HCM City’s tourism shows positive signs with return of Chinese visitors
Foreign tourists visit Ho Chi Minh City's Post Office. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – Travel firms in Ho Chi Minh City have launched tours between Vietnam and China as soon as China decided to include Vietnam in the list of countries to which Chinese group tours can be conducted from March 15. According to the city’s businesses, more Chinese tourist groups will arrive in the city this month and April will be the peak time marking the return of Chinese tourists to Vietnam. On the contrary, the number of Vietnamese tourists booking tours to China will also increase, helping to stimulate demand in the tourism markets of the two countries in the coming time. The forecast is based on the huge tourism demand of Chinese tourists after about three years of disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Vietnam being one of the Chinese tourists’ favourite destinations. In addition, Vietnamese businesses have developed high-quality and oriented products and services for specific tourist … [Read more...] about HCM City’s tourism shows positive signs with return of Chinese visitors
Hanoi patriots recount memories of captivity
The sons of Hanoi held their heads high and persevered in the cause of national liberation in the face of brutality and harassment. The lethal and brutal treatment and torture in Phu Quoc jail could not weaken the determination of the sons of Hanoi to survive and fight for the freedom and independence of their homeland. Former Hanoi imprisoned veterans attend a ceremony on March 22 that honors their sacrifices for national unity and liberation. Photo: Thanh Hai/The Hanoi Times Phu Quoc Prison was built in 1949-1950 under French colonial rule to detain political dissidents and national patriots. From 1963 to 1973, more than 40,000 Vietnamese patriots, soldiers, and communist activists who fought for the liberation of their country were incarcerated in the prison, which was run by the South Vietnamese regime. Located some 90 kilometers from the Vietnamese mainland, Phu Quoc prison was the site of the deaths of some 4,000 people who gave their lives in the … [Read more...] about Hanoi patriots recount memories of captivity
One more Vietnamese officer taking on peacekeeping duties
Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien, who is also Head of the MND’s Steering Committee on Vietnam’s Participation in U.N. Peacekeeping Operations, chaired the event. According to the decision, Major Nguyen Van Phong, assistant at the Division of Political Affairs of Brigade 229 under the Engineering Corps, will work as a military observer at the U.N. Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA). Assigning tasks to the officer, Sr. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien asked him to promote the spirit of pro-activeness, self-reliance, overcoming difficulties, being flexible and creative; promptly integrate into the international environment and demonstrate his capability while observing military discipline, U.N. regulations and the host country’s laws, and others. According to Major General Hoang Kim Phung, Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations (VNDPKO), Major Phong participated in various … [Read more...] about One more Vietnamese officer taking on peacekeeping duties
Vietnamese stylist to work with Fan Bingbing
The 33-year-old stylist said the project is part of a series of activities marking Bingbing's return this year. Kye will work as a stylist for Bingbing in photoshoots for magazine covers. Kye sent his profile to Bingbing’s agent in late 2022 and received a work invitation in February. He’s set to be in Beijing from April 15 to April 20 to work with the famous actress in photoshoots. "In addition to outfits from famous fashion houses, I want to take this chance to introduce Vietnamese designs to international stars," Kye said. Fan Bingbing in a gown designed by Tony Ward at the Oscars on March 13, 2023. Photo by Fan Bingbing Studio Currently, Kye is spending time learning basic Chinese so that he can communicate with Bingbing at work. He said he’s not under pressure because he has worked on many projects before. Bingbing caught the attention of the public when she appeared at a fashion event in the United States this month, following a five-year hiatus after being … [Read more...] about Vietnamese stylist to work with Fan Bingbing
Ho Chi Minh City detects cluster of 20 H1N1 cases
The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control (HCDC) announced on Wednesday that the city had just discovered a cluster of H1N1 cases in District 10, leading 20 students at an elementary school to take unscheduled sick leave. A report from the Medical Center of District 10 to the HCDC on March 16 showed an abnormal increase in the number of students taking sick leave at Vo Truong Toan Elementary School on the same day and the day before. A total of 20 students of the school became ill with symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, and vomiting during the two days. Some students had a fever of up to 39 degrees Celsius. Doctors initially determined that the children suffered from a flu and randomly took six samples of them and sent them to the Pasteur Institute in the city to test for influenza. On March 17, the results showed that all of the samples returned positive for H1N1 influenza, also known as swine flu. Since March 17, the school has not recorded any … [Read more...] about Ho Chi Minh City detects cluster of 20 H1N1 cases