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Vietnam’s services sector remains a bright spot, partially offsetting some external weakness, according to a report released by HSBC Vietnam on May 31. Illustrative image (Source: VNA) The report, themed “Vietnam May data: Still a long way to go,” said while Vietnam’s May trade data points to no further deterioration, there is still a long way to see a meaningful rebound in its trade cycle. Exports slightly fall According to the report, exports fell 5.8% year on year in May, a slower pace than the market expected, but with lingering broad-based weakness. None of the major categories, including electronics, machinery, textiles/footwear and wooden furniture showed signs of a meaningful rebound. Data as of April 2023 suggests substantial falling shipments in Vietnam’s three largest exporting destinations - US, China and the EU. In particular, with a hefty share of 30%, Vietnam is particularly sensitive to a US economic slowdown. Despite exports falling by … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s services sector remains a bright spot: HSBC

At the signing ceremony (Photo: VNA) HCM City, (VNA) – The Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP) in Ho Chi Minh City and Cadence Design Systems , a multinational computational software company of the US, on May 30 signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in developing electronic design manpower and promoting the semiconductor industry in Vietnam. Under this partnership, Cadence, a world leading company in electronic design, can provide integrated circuit (IC) design software tools and related training programmes for universities in HCM City via its academic network. Nguyen Anh Thi, head of the SHTP management board, said the cooperation with Cadence will give local students a chance to access the latest technologies and methodologies in IC and system design, and acquire practical experience that will help them succeed in the high-tech industry. It will also help strengthen the capability of the SHTP Chip Design Centre, thus contributing to the local semiconductor … [Read more...] about Saigon Hi-Tech Park partners with US firm to improve IC design capability

Ninh Thuan to set off firework s to welcome grape – wine festival (Photo: VNA) Ninh Thuan (VNA) – The south central province of Ninh Thuan will hold a 15- minute firework display to welcome the Grape - Wine Festival 2023 and the ceremony to receive a certificate from UNESCO recognising the pottery-making art of the Cham ethnic minority people as Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Nguyen Long Bien said that the festival, running from June 13-18, are an important and meaningful event for Ninh Thuan to attract more tourists, thereby turning tourism into a spearhead economic sector with sustainable development in the coming years. Themed “Ninh Thuan – The land of convergence of different values”, spectators will have a chance to enjoy a low-range firework display in the opening night of the festival which is slated for June 16, 2023 at April 16 Square. According to Nguyen Van Hoa, Director … [Read more...] about Ninh Thuan to set off fireworks to welcome grape – wine festival

It is the VUFO’s most noble distinction honoring Park's significant contribution to the Vietnamese football and the friendly and cooperative relations between the people of Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK). Speaking at the event, Nguyen Phuong Nga said the bilateral ties have become a successful model based on political trust, vibrant economic cooperation, and a close attachment in people-to-people exchanges. She attributed that to the important contribution of people’s organizations and individuals from both countries, including Park. As the head coach of the Vietnamese national football team from 2017 to 2022, Park trained and improved the talent of players, helping them gain confidence and bring glory to Vietnam at regional and international tournaments, including winning the 2018 AFF Cup championship, two gold medals in men's football at the 30th SEA Games in 2019 and the 31st SEA Games in 2021, becoming the second runner-up at the 2018 U23 Asian Cup, securing the fourth … [Read more...] about Coach Park Hang-seo awarded VUFO’s friendship insignia

Ambassadors from ASEAN member states take a tour around the ASEAN Trade Fair as part of Seoul Food 2023, one of the largest food exhibitions in Asia, at KINTEX in Goyang, Gyeonggi Province, on May 30.(Photo courtesy of ASEAN-Korea Centre) Seoul – The ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) on May 30 opened an ASEAN Trade Fair in the framework of the Seoul Food 2023 (SF2003) to showcase food and beverage products from ASEAN countries and create opportunities for ASEAN companies to connect and establish business partnerships with partners from the Republic of Korea (RoK). In his remarks at the opening ceremony, AKC Secretary General Kim Hae-yong said that since 2009, the centre has organised many trade fairs and seminars to assist ASEAN's small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in finding their way into the Korean market, contributing to promoting vibrant trade activities between the two regions. A seminar on capacity building and enhancing value of ASEAN-Korea food was also held within the … [Read more...] about ASEAN, RoK boost business ties in food, beverage

Apple on May 17 announced the expansion of the Apple Store online into Vietnam. Customers throughout the country can now shop direct with Apple and receive a service delivered by dedicated team members ready to share their expertise in Vietnamese. Meanwhile, in mid-May, eDiGi, Vietnam’s foremost premium Apple retailer, announced the closure of its store after five years. The store entered the market when official Apple products were struggling to compete against smuggled counterparts. Backed by one of Vietnam’s top retail companies, IPP Group, eDiGi aimed to carve a niche for itself in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The accolades poured in as eDiGi secured the coveted Apple Premium Reseller and Apple Service Provider certifications, becoming the country’s pioneering haven for Apple aficionados seeking unrivalled services. However, eDiGi found itself grappling with a market where affordable prices outweighed immersive shopping experiences, and it struggled to … [Read more...] about Apple retailers set for price competition shake-up

The government last week reported that under its latest calculations, the state budget revenue last year hit about VND1.815 quadrillion ($78.93 billion), which is VND201.4 trillion ($8.75 billion) or 12.5 per cent higher than a previously reported figure. “The revenue has sufficiently met all tasks on expenditures for development investment, social security, salary reform, and other necessary tasks,” the government stated. Budget estimate shortcomings require modern fix Such a revenue increase was thanks to a rise in many items, with enterprises performing relatively well despite massive difficulties. For example, the economy’s most updated export turnover last year reached $371.3 billion, higher than the $368 billion earlier reported to the National Assembly – with the exact trade surplus of more than $12.4 billion, far higher than the only $1 billion earlier reported to the legislative body. However, the National Assembly Economic Committee (NAEC) found that the … [Read more...] about Budget estimate shortcomings require modern fix

VCCI Vice Chairman Nguyen Quang Vinh speaks at the forum. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - A Child Rights and Business Forum was organised in Hanoi on May 30 by UNICEF Vietnam and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( VCCI ), emphasising the need for responsible business practices that respect child rights and prevent adverse human rights impacts. “Children are both the present and the future, and business practices cannot be sustainable if they do not account for their impact on children”, said Rana Flowers, Representative of UNICEF in Vietnam. “It requires children to be a key consideration in Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) assessments – where impacts and risks are assessed objectively, and key practices identified that can minimise those risks and create a positive impact for children. It will improve competitiveness and sustainability, it will win the support of stakeholders, especially investors, who are socially conscious and looking at ESG risks … [Read more...] about Responsible businesses for Vietnam’s thriving next generation: forum

Vietnam was the 8th largest trade partner and the largest ASEAN exporter of the US in 2022. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The current trends in economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and the US guarantee big growth in two-way trade and investment in next 10 years and warrant upgrading the partnership to a strategic level, said Ted Osius , President and CEO of the US - ASEAN Business Council ( USABC ). In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency ahead of the 10th anniversary of the two countries’ comprehensive partnership (July 2013 - 2023), the former US Ambassador to Vietnam said trade and investment play a big role in this relationship. The US is Vietnam’s second largest trading partner and biggest export destination. In 2022, bilateral trade reached a record high of 138.9 billion USD. Vietnam was the 8th largest trade partner and the largest ASEAN exporter of the US. The US was the biggest export market of Vietnam last year. Vietnam’s annual export to … [Read more...] about Current trends guarantee big growth in Vietnam – US trade, investment: USABC leader

Crowds flock to Co To island in Quang Ninh province (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The tourism sector served 12.5 million domestic visitors in May, pushing the total number of the group to over 50.5 million in the first five months. Also in May, revenue from domestic travelers is estimated to hit 267.2 trillion VND (11.37 billion USD). The volume of Vietnamese holidaymakers traveling around the country has been on the rise in conjunction with the annual peak of domestic tourism. On the opposite end, the peak time in domestic tourism is also when international tourism hits its low-season travel period. The sector hosted 1.3 million tourists from the Republic of Korea and 399,000 from China in the period from January to May. This year, Vietnam set a target to earn some 650 trillion VND from 110 million visitors, including 8 million foreigners. According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), the 4.6 million international arrivals recorded between … [Read more...] about Vietnam hits peak time for domestic tourism