Decentralization is key for local governments to be able to fulfill their tasks. The draft of the amended Capital Law has raised public concerns about the development of cities within a city. The Hanoi Times has received expert feedback on the issue. Architect Dao Ngoc Nghiem, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association for Urban Planning and Development: Special mechanism needed for city-within-a-city model Hanoi aims to urbanize five rural districts to make them urban districts by 2025 and two more later. Now, the concept of the city-within-city model is being introduced by urban developers. Previously, there was no city subordinate to a first-tier city. The law stipulated that only a province has its subordinate cities. In 2016, the first city-within-city was established, Thu Duc, a submunicipal unit of Ho Chi Minh City, one of the nation's five first-tier cities. An urban residential area in Hanoi. … [Read more...] about Amended Capital Law to govern the city-within-a-city model
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HCM City gathering marks 74th National Day of China
Participants in the gathering pose for a group photo (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations (HUFO) held a gathering on September 23 to celebrate the 74th anniversary of the National Day of China (October 1, 1949-2023). Delivering the congratulatory remarks, Chairman of the Vietnam - China Friendship Association of HCM City Nguyen Huu Hiep said that amid complex developments of the international economic and political situations, the further promotion of substantive cooperation and healthy and stable development of relations between the two countries matches the fundamental interests of their Parties, countries and people, and is also important to peace, stability and development in the region and the world. During the visit to China by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in late 2022, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries … [Read more...] about HCM City gathering marks 74th National Day of China
Lantern village in Ho Chi Minh City busy ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival
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
Hanoi, China’s Shenzhen look to beef up multifaceted cooperation
Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen (R) and Mayor of Shenzhen Qin Weizhong. (Photo: hanoi moi.com.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Shenzhen city of China wishes to further promote economic and trade relations with Vietnamese localities, including the capital city of Hanoi, especially in investment, 5G technology, new energy vehicles (NEV), wind power, and renewable energy, said Mayor of Shenzhen Qin Weizhong. During a meeting with Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen in Hanoi on September 18, Qin, who is also Deputy Secretary of the Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee, briefed the host on the Chinese city’s development. Shenzhen's GDP reached 500 billion USD in 2022, while its industrial production topped localities across China. Shenzhen has also witnessed the formation and development of big high-tech enterprises, such as Huawei, Tencent, and BYD automobile companies. It is also the headquarters of 11 firms in the global Top … [Read more...] about Hanoi, China’s Shenzhen look to beef up multifaceted cooperation
Queuing up to eat ‘pho’ worth a try in Tokyo
Tokyo, the most populous city in the world with over 37 million people, has numerous interesting things worth experiencing and lining up to eat Vietnam’s pho in the morning is among the experiences worth a try there. While Italy is famous for pasta, Spain has paella, and ramen is known as a typical Japanese dish, pho is a national dish of Vietnam. Regardless of ages and homelands, it is sure that many Vietnamese people have considered eating pho a habit. The Vietnamese can eat pho at any time of the day. A bowl of rare beef pho with two eggs is preferred in the morning, while chicken pho with finely chopped spring onions is a top choice for lunch. For dinner, it is advised to try pho xao (stir-fried pho ) served with pickles. At night, after leaving drinking parties, Vietnamese people tend to drop in a pho restaurant to enjoy a bowl of pho with beef stew in a red wine sauce served with fried bread sticks. Broth is the soul of the noodle soup and gives … [Read more...] about Queuing up to eat ‘pho’ worth a try in Tokyo
SK Group to pour US$500 million into DEEP C Hải Phòng
The investment registration certificates handover ceremony for SK Group to US$500 million in a high-tech biodegradable materials plant in Hải Phòng. Photo courtesy of the firm South Korea’s second-largest conglomerate is investing US$500 million in a high-tech biodegradable materials plant in the northern city of Hải Phòng, the first of its kind in South East Asia. At the recent conference on granting investment registration certificates for investment projects in industrial zones (IZs) and economic zones (EZs) in Hải Phòng, the Hải Phòng Economic Zone Authority (HEZA) granted a new investment registration certificate to the ECOVANCE high-tech biodegradable materials factory project of SK Group (South Korea) with a total investment capital of $500 million. The project aims to produce biodegradable materials PBAT, PBS, and PBATS. The project covers an area of 32,089 sq.m, located in the CN5.5G2 land lot, DEEP C Hải Phòng I Industrial Zone (in the Đình Vũ - Cát Hải Economic Zone). … [Read more...] about SK Group to pour US$500 million into DEEP C Hải Phòng
Toulouse opens new venue to display artifacts from Thang Long Citadel
The new venue will be the second in France after the first in the medieval city of Provins, Ile-de-France. An exhibition space will be set up in Toulouse, France, to promote the value of artifacts and the Thang Long Imperial Citadel to local people and visitors, according to Nguyen Hong Chi, deputy director of the Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center, Delegates take a group photo at the Thang Long Imperial Citadel on September 23. Photo: Thang Long Heritage Conservation Center. The idea is part of a series of joint activities between Hanoi and Toulouse in heritage conservation , Chi said, adding that the space, the second in France, will be open to the public in November and will attract more international visitors to Hanoi, especially French ones. In heritage preservation, the center has been working with agencies in Ile-de-France since 2013 and opened a similar space in the medieval city of Provins, she said at a seminar on September 23. "The … [Read more...] about Toulouse opens new venue to display artifacts from Thang Long Citadel
Hanoi and other localities promote OCOP products, regional specialties
The event aims to improve the productivity, product quality, and capacity of OCOP entities. An event showcasing products related to the culture of the northern mountainous provinces attracted over 100 booths displaying more than 2,000 One Commune One Product (OCOP) items and regional specialties from Hanoi, 35 provinces and cities on Trinh Cong Son Pedestrian Street in Hanoi from September 21 to 25. Many OCOP products are on display at the fair. Photo: Trong Tung/ The Hanoi Times Speaking at the event, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Ta Van Tuong said that this is an important event to help businesses and promotion units network and sell safe farm produce , OCOP products and regional specialties nationwide, thus promoting the implementation of the OCOP Program for 2021-2025. The event also provides an opportunity for OCOP entities in Hanoi and provinces and cities across the country to exchange and enhance … [Read more...] about Hanoi and other localities promote OCOP products, regional specialties
Naval ships of New Zealand visit Vietnam
Vietnamese and New Zealand officers at the welcome ceremony in HCM City on September 24 (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – Two ships of the Royal New Zealand Navy, frigate HMNZS Te Mana and sustainment vessel HMNZS Aotearoa , arrived at the international port of Ho Chi Minh City on September 24, starting a five-day friendship visit to Vietnam. Leading the New Zealand delegation, Commander of the Joint Forces New Zealand Rear Admiral James Gilmour said the visit follows a successful trip to his country by Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence, in July 2023. It is a demonstration of the intensive cooperation between the two countries and aims to help strengthen their defence relations as well as people-to-people ties, he noted. New Zealand pledges to boost defence cooperation with Vietnam on the basis of respect for international law and the rules on navigation freedom, he … [Read more...] about Naval ships of New Zealand visit Vietnam
Vietnam’s southernmost province to delight visitors with shrimp-eating, octopus-catching contests
A shrimp festival will be organized in Ca Mau Province, the southern tip of Vietnam, for the first time between December 13 and 16, featuring shrimp-eating and octopus-catching competitions. Such distinctive contests will promisingly please visitors during the fest. Other activities, including a shrimp-drawing contest, a fishery guessing game, and a program of making sea creatures with coconut leaves, will delight revelers. Tran Hieu Hung, director of the Ca Mau Province Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said on Sunday that the event will also treat visitors to a seafood fest alongside seafood-based contests. The province is planning to invite 42 provinces and cities nationwide to join the festival and exhibit their main products. “The event will feature various cultural spaces and miniatures of seafood, while music shows and art performances will be held during the festival,” Hung said. The fest, which is expected to attract some 10,000 participants, will help … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s southernmost province to delight visitors with shrimp-eating, octopus-catching contests