Two Vietnamese top players, Pham Hai Yen and Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, were on target as Vietnam kicked off their campaign in women’s football at the 19th Asian Games in China with an easy win to Nepal on Thursday. Hai Yen earned Vietnam the opener and Bich Thuy widened the lead to 2-0. Vietnam, who have targeted the second-place finish in their Group D behind reigning champions Japan, faced significant obstacles from Nepal’s strong defensive formation in the first half. Head coach Mai Duc Chung brought a team including ten under 23-year-old players to Hangzhou, China, but they rarely threatened goalkeeper Anjila Subba’s net. The scenario slightly changed after Hai Yen’s close-range goal broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute. Vietnam exerted pressure on Nepal’s goal while their rivals, unable to maintain the defensive stance, opted to push forward aggressively in an attempt to level the score. Vietnam's Pham Hai Yen celebrates her goal in their Group D opener against … [Read more...] about Vietnam start Asian Games women’s football campaign with easy win over Nepal
Woman kicked 8 year old
How a Vietnam War diary found its way home after 56 years
For Thien, the official visit to Vietnam by U.S. President Joe Biden earlier this month was not only an important event between Vietnam and the U.S., but a memorable milestone in his life. At the National Assembly Building on September 11, Thien received his war diary lost during a battle in Tay Ninh that borders HCMC in 1967, as witnessed by Biden and National Assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. "I couldn’t have imagined ever receiving my lost diary from the war around 60 years ago. It was truly surprising and moving. For me, it was an invaluable relic," said Thien, 75. Thien was born in northern Thai Binh Province and joined the army in 1965, at the age of 17. He brought with him a diary to recount what happened during his march into the southeastern Vietnam battlefield. "I want my descendants to know how their forefathers used to face dangers and hardship," he said. He would often sit down and write in his diary one or two days into the march, or when emotions ran … [Read more...] about How a Vietnam War diary found its way home after 56 years
ADB lowers growth forecast for Lao economy this year
A street in Vientiane capital of Laos. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Vientiane (VNA) – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has revised down its growth forecast for the Lao economy in 2023 to 3.7%, from a 4.0% projection released in April. According to the Asian Development Outlook (ADO) September 2023, economic growth in Laos is forecast to be slower than expected due to weaker growth prospects in China, and macroeconomic pressures arising from unsustainable public debt and a weak Lao currency, the kip. The 2024 growth forecast was kept at 4.0%. Curbing inflation is among the main challenges to Laos. Though inflation decelerated in August to stand at 25.88%, down from 28.64% in June and 27.8% in July, the rate is still among the highest in the region. The Lao Statistics Bureau said the weak kip is one of the main drivers of inflation. Lao media cited ADB Country Director for Laos Sonomi Tanaka as saying that sound macro-economic management, including stronger coordination … [Read more...] about ADB lowers growth forecast for Lao economy this year
Hanoi Fall Festival 2023 to boost capital tourism
The 2023 Hanoi Fall Festival from September 29 to October 1 will bring visitors the beauty of Hanoi's landscape, culture and gastronomy. With a vast array of cultural and tourist activities, the Hanoi Fall Festival 2023 is expected to boost the capital's tourism industry, Nguyen Thi Mai Anh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Promotion Agency (HPA), told The Hanoi Times . Foreign tourists enjoy the fall in Hanoi. Photo: Hoai Nam/The Hanoi Times What is the meaning and purpose of Hanoi Fall Festival 2023 with the theme "Hanoi - Come to fall in love"? Through surveys of tourists' experiences when coming to the capital, we have learned that the ideal time to travel to Hanoi is in the fall, from August to November every year, as this is the most pleasant period in Hanoi in terms of weather, with clear blue skies and fresh breeze. This is the best time for visitors to explore scenic spots and enjoy the capital's unique cuisine. In particular, CNN recently … [Read more...] about Hanoi Fall Festival 2023 to boost capital tourism
Hoi An hotels hauled up inflating star ratings
Nguyen Thanh Hong, director of the Quang Nam Province Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said an inspection was done of tourist accommodation establishments in Hoi An on September 11 and a number of hotels were found proclaiming four- and five-star status without designation as such by authorities. They were also found using misleading advertising, he said. They included Le Pavillon Luxury Hoi An Resort & Spa, Allegro Hoi An Little Luxury Hotel & Spa, Koi Resort & Spa Hoi An and Bellerive Hoi An Hotel & Spa. Quang Nam authorities said Le Pavillon Luxury Hoi An Resort & Spa has not received any star rating but claimed to be a four-star establishment on signboards outside, its official website and travel sites. It has since removed the signs at the gate. Inspectors also found these hotels have been advertised as four-star or five-star rating on online room booking platforms, such as Agoda and Booking. Pham Hong Phuoc, marketing manager of … [Read more...] about Hoi An hotels hauled up inflating star ratings
6 Vietnam companies with exemplary technology environments in 2023
This is the first year the CTO Summit Technology Leadership Conference has been organized at the annual AI event to honor enterprises with a technology-rich working environment. WD, Heineken, VNPT, FPT's representatives receive the award as the best technology environment enterprises at Vietnam Artificial Intelligence Day 2023 on September 22, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran Launched in mid-July, the award received more than 50 nominations and 17 were shortlisted for the next round. FPT FPT is one of the pioneering enterprises in technology and digital transformation in Vietnam. The company has representative offices in 29 countries and territories. The group has invested trillions of dong to create comfortable office complexes and offices with utility ecosystems to meet employees' demand for working, entertainment, studying, and accommodation. One of FPT's unique cultures is the core staff training program, which helps young talents enhance their skills … [Read more...] about 6 Vietnam companies with exemplary technology environments in 2023
Development banks extend role in green-related loans
Vietnam’s JETP plan must cover energy efficiency, storage, and more, photo Le Toan European Investment Bank (EIB) vice president Kris Peeters told VIR when he visited Vietnam last week that the non-profit credit institution and lending arm of the EU is eager to meet with partners in Vietnam to provide more green loans for environmentally friendly projects in various sectors from transport, water treatment, and smart urban development to renewable energy and infrastructure. “We have been providing loans for seven projects in Vietnam with total loans of €561 million ($602.8 million), and we hope the figure will double in the coming time,” Peeters said. Last year, the EIB invested over €70 billion ($75.2 billion) in many green projects worldwide. “We want to increase our investment portfolio and Vietnam is also on our priority list, as the country’s economy is going green, meaning the growing need for relevant projects in many sectors,” Peeters said. “Vietnam is an important … [Read more...] about Development banks extend role in green-related loans
Vietnam’s Top 10 digital technology companies named for 2023
Outstanding digital technology companies honoured (Photo: VNA) Hanoi – Vietnam’s Top 10 digital technology companies in 2023 were announced at a ceremony in Hanoi on September 22. Among them are Viettel Solutions, OneMount Group, VNPT, Mobifone, Rang Dong and FPT. Launched 2 months ago, the organising board selected 104 nominations in various fields to honour the top 10 digital technology enterprises in Vietnam. According to statistics, the total revenue in 2022 of these 104 businesses reached 164 trillion VND (6.7 billion USD), accounting for 43.75 per cent of the total revenue of Vietnam's software and information services sector. Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Phan Tam said that digital technology enterprises are the nucleus of the country's industrialisation and digital transformation of all industries. He said that the honoured companies' strategies to conquer the market are valuable lessons, opening the way for many others … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s Top 10 digital technology companies named for 2023
Banyan Tree Group celebrates World Wellness Weekend
World Wellness Weekend (WWW) is considered one of the largest wellness campaigns in the world, with the participation of more than 6,000 organisations and individuals in 147 countries and territories, with the message "Wellness for all - Healthy living for everyone." General manager of Garrya Mu Cang Chai Hylton Lipkin (yellow shirt) and associates Celebrating WWW this year, were the top brands of Banyan Tree Group, including Garrya Mu Cang Chai – a new resort brand in Northern Vietna expected to launch in early 2024; and Banyan Tree Lang Co - the most luxurious resort on the central coast of Vietnam, known for its core values of wellbeing. In the Northwest mountain area of Vietnam, with the guidance of Hylton Lipkin, general manager of Garrya Mu Cang Chai, also the ambassador of WWW in Vietnam, the attendees had a meaningful weekend. Not only organising meditation and yoga activities, this was also an opportunity for Garrya Mu Cang Chai to offer the bustling … [Read more...] about Banyan Tree Group celebrates World Wellness Weekend
BIS pledges support for Vietnam in banking infrastructure development, digital transformation
Headquarters of the State Bank of Vietnam (Photo: VNA) Hanoi – The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) will continue to accompany and support the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) in investing in payment and financial infrastructure development and promoting digital transformation, contributing to improving risk management in the local banking sector, stated BIS General Manager Agustin Carstens. Carstens made the statement at a meeting with Politburo member and Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh in Hanoi on September 21. Welcoming Carstens on his first visit to Vietnam as BIS General Manager, Tuan Anh thanked the organisation for its support for the SBV in joining and familiarising itself with BIS cooperation mechanisms. After three years of membership, the SBV has proactively participated in BIS activities and implemented its recommendations in the banking sector. He proposed that BIS continue to enhance its role in developing payment … [Read more...] about BIS pledges support for Vietnam in banking infrastructure development, digital transformation