Who lie ahead

As the Mid-Autumn Festival is five days away, a busy atmosphere pervades Phu Binh lantern making village, which is now over 50 years old, in District 11, Ho Chi Minh City. Artisans in the village manually make lanterns with various shapes and colors. There are many phases to complete hand-made lanterns, including choosing bamboo trees, cutting bamboo sticks to make frames, painting plastic papers for wrapping the frames, and decorating the lanterns. Artisan Nguyen Trong Thanh said traditional lanterns using candles feature a great cultural value of Vietnamese people. Children and those who are interested in cultural and artistic values still prefer them. Stuffed bunny toys are attached to bamboo lanterns. Nguyen Trong Binh, who has had half a century of experience in making lanterns, said he spent much time restoring traditional lanterns and preserving the craft. Phu Binh’s lanterns have been put up for sale across Vietnam. Luong Nhu Hoc Street, which is … [Read more...] about Lantern village in Ho Chi Minh City busy ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival

The landmark state visit of US President Joe Biden to Vietnam on September 10-11 has been a historic pivot, elevating Vietnam-US ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The essence of this partnership, PM Chinh said, lies in deepening economic, trade, and investment collaborations. He emphasised the gravity of scientific, technological cooperation, and innovation as game-changers. "The Biden visit signals an enhanced strategic alignment, centred on economic partnerships and technological collaboration," he said. As reported by Tuoitre , Prof. Thomas Vallely, director of the Vietnam programme at Harvard Kennedy School, praised Vietnam's deft management. "Vietnam's response to major crises, especially its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, is commendable," Vallely said. "Despite its nascent experience in some sectors, Vietnam has proactively sought knowledge, established global ties, and opened doors for partnerships, with the US being a case in point." Prof. Anthony … [Read more...] about Harvard, Yale, and Columbia luminaries weigh in on Vietnam’s ambitious blueprint

Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Phan Van Mai (5th from left) receives Dr. Sonethanou Thammavong (4th from left), President of the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences and Social Science s and  Sok Touch (middle), President of the Royal Academy of Cambodia.(Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Phan Van Mai received Dr Sonethanou Thammavong, President of the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Sciences, and Sok Touch, President of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, in the city on September 19. 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 neighbouring countries’ localities to promote a stronger … [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

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

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

During the meeting, part of his trip to the U.S. for the high-level week of the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly and bilateral activities, Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam considers the U.S. a partner of strategic importance. He used the occasion to thank the U.S. Senate in general and its Foreign Relations Committee in particular for their support for promoting the Vietnam - U.S. relations over the past time, including the settlement of war consequences. The support and cooperation of the two countries’ legislatures plays a crucial role in concretizing new collaboration frameworks and areas of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the time ahead, the leader stressed. Pham Minh Chinh called on the committee to further support joint efforts in fostering cooperation in economy-trade-investment, and other fields like science-technology, innovation, semiconductor industry, energy transition, and climate change response, while stepping up assistance to … [Read more...] about Prime Minister meets leaders of U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations