In the autumn of 2016, Vietnam Investment Review joyfully celebrates its 25th anniversary of establishment. This is also a hallmark in the group's history of development. These publications are distributed widely in Vietnam and abroad. This has given VIR a special strength rarely found in other media agencies in Vietnam. The events and forums organised by VIR at the national and international levels - such as the M&A Vietnam Forum and the Vietnam Investment Forum - have created a unique identity for the group. They have had significant impacts on many sectors of the economy. Through its publications and forums, VIR has created an important open debate-based information channel, contributing to the promotion of democracy in the process of making policies and important plans for the country's socioeconomic development. Successes reaped from persistent implementation of the motto "Pairing well with investors and enterprises" have strengthened VIR's fine media-enterprise relations. … [Read more...]
Cat Ba Island’s youth clean up beaches
VietNamNet Bridge - Up to 500 youth of Cat Hai Island District in the northern port city of Hai Phong participated in a coastal cleanup campaign on Cat Ba Island yesterday morning, Sept 22. The cleanup campaign attracted youth, mainly secondary and high school students, officers from the armed forces and those working at local administrative units. The campaign is part of the Red River Delta Adaptation and Youth (READY) programme, a joint project conducted by the Asian Management and Development Institute, the non-profit Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development and the Centre for Environment and Community Research. Addressing the event's launch ceremony, Hoang Trung Cuong, vice chairman of Cat Hải District's People's Committee, said "The percentage of solid waste collected in the two towns of Cat Hai and Cat Ba has reached 90 per cent of total dumped waste and in other communes has been 75 to 80 per cent." "However, solid waste treatment remains unsuitable, causing … [Read more...]
Govt’s 2015 inspections find many violations
VietNamNet Bridge – The Government Inspectorate found many violations with over VND92.7 trillion (US$4.15 billion) and 14,266 hectares of land involved after it conducted 200,000 inspections last year. Government Inspector General Phan Van Sau mentioned the figures in a report on corruption control in 2016 while speaking before the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee in Hanoi on September 21. In addition, Sau said the inspectorate suggested the Government take back VND19.3 trillion and 6,508 hectares of land in connection with violations, with nearly VND9.53 trillion and 739 hectares withdrawn. The inspectorate suggested competent agencies to look into and deal with the wrong use of VND73.4 trillion and more than 7,000 hectares of land, as well as discipline many organizations and individuals. The report, which Sau presented to the committee on behalf of the Government, showed there were over one million asset declarations made by Government officials and civil servants … [Read more...]
Tourism development to contribute more to Vietnam’s GDP growth
According to the project to make tourism a spearhead economic sector, Vietnamese tourism will have a uniform technical infrastructure by 2020. Hoang Su Phi is famous for rice terraced fields which consistently attract the great number of tourists each year. Tourism products will be high-quality and able to compete with other countries. Tourism will become a hard currency earner contributing to national economic growth. The draft project on tourism development has set a target of attracting 15 million foreign tourists and achieving an average annual growth of 12 to 14% until 2020. The sector also will try to contribute 9 or 10% of the GDP by 2020. Total revenue from tourism could reach US$32.5 billion and generate 3.5 million jobs. To achieve these goals, the hospitality industry is doing its utmost to improve tourism promotion and advertisements and mobilize more social resources for tourism development. The sector has created visa exemptions, reduced the time and cost of … [Read more...]
Việt Nam bag three golds as Beach Games heat up
Viet Nam News ĐÀ NẴNG - Vietnamese athlete Phan Thị Phương bagged Việt Nam's first gold medal of the fifth Asian Beach Games, which officially kicked off Saturday in the central city of Đà Nẵng. She won gold by beating teammate Nguyễn Huyền Trang 3-0 in the women's Fairway singles woodball final yesterday. In the men's Fairway singles final, Pronsane Phetanun of Thailand beat his fellow countryman Kongpolprom Nutchanon 3-1 in all-Thai final. In the men's 5km swim, Khudyakov Vitaliy of Kazakhstan came out the victor after a tough race yesterday. Khudyakov, who won gold in the men's 10km Friday, knotched his second gold with a time of 58 minutes and 3.3 seconds, 7.3 seconds ahead off runner-up Mohammad Saleh of Syria (58min 10.6sec). Vietnam's Trần Tấn Triều finished in 58min 54.1sec for bronze medal. In the women's 10km race, Chinese swimmers swept the gold and silver medals: Xin Xin and Yang Dandan finished first and second, respectively. Xin clocked a time of two hours, 14 … [Read more...]
Unhappy Ronaldo subbed as Madrid held by Las Palmas
MADRID: A substituted Cristiano Ronaldo cut a disconsolate figure as Real Madrid conceded a late equaliser to draw 2-2 at Las Palmas on Saturday (Sep 24). Earlier, Barcelona shrugged off the absence of the injured Lionel Messi to move to within a point of Madrid at the top of the table as Luis Suarez and Neymar were on target in a 5-0 thrashing of Sporting Gijon. Ronaldo was replaced moments after helping Madrid go 2-1 in front when Karim Benzema slotted home the rebound after the Portuguese's initial effort was saved. However, he watched on as Sergio Araujo took advantage of some soft Madrid defending to level as the European champions dropped points for the second time in four days. Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insisted that, despite a sub-par display, Ronaldo had been replaced to keep him fresh for Tuesday's Champions League trip to Borussia Dortmund. "We have another game on Tuesday and he has to rest too now and again," Zidane told Spanish TV station Movistar. "It is obvious he … [Read more...]
The top tourist attractions in Yen Bai province
Yen Bai, a province in northern Vietnam, has many beautiful landscapes, such as Mu Cang Chai and Thac Ba reservoir, Giang stream, Ta Xua, Pu Nhu waterfalls ... Mu Cang Chai terraced fields The destination is nestled at the bottom of Hoang Lien Son Mountain Range and is 1000m above sea level. To reach Mu Cang Chai, tourists go through Khau Pha Pass – one of the four leading passes in Northwest Vietnam. The journey to Mu Cang Chai is full of imposing landscapes. The terraced rice fields in Che Cu Nha, La Pan Tan, and Ze Xu Phinh in Mu Cang Chai has been recognized as national landscapes. This creatively gorgeous terraced paddy field is evidence that human hands can create a masterpiece in harmony with nature, making Mu Cang Chai an outstanding attraction in Vietnam. The two best months for Mu Cang Chai photo toursare September and October. Thac Ba Lake The lake itself looks impressive with blue & clear water, lots of hills, islands, and caves. Thac Ba Temple on the bank … [Read more...]
800 artists join national popular opera show
As many as 800 artists from 16 traditional theater troupes nationwide is taking part in the 2016 national contest on professional popular opera (Cheo) from September 24th to October 8th in Ninh Binh province. The festival held triennially by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) to develop the Cheo theater. The event also provides an opportunity for artists to exchange experiences and promote innovations in the traditional theater. 27 plays, each of which has 90-150 minutes in length, will participate in the festival. Under the regulations, the participating plays should have been staged between from June 2013 to date. But they should not have participated in any other professional festivals held by the Ministries of CST, Defence, Public Security and the Vietnam Stage Artists Association, and should not use foreign scripts. The organizers will present certificates of merit and awards to outstanding plays, authors, directors, and artists selected by a jury board … [Read more...]
Photographic images of women displayed in Ho Chi Minh city
Twenty-three photos by French artist Thiery Beyne are on display at the Eastin Grand Hotel Saigon in Ho Chi Minh city. The Back Photography exhibition features the backs of Vietnamese women he photographed during his travels in the country. To satisfy his passion for travel and photography, he began travelling in the 80s, traversing several Asian countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam. During his 15 years in Vietnam, he has had a chance to travel from the north to the south, meet many different people, and show different perspectives about life in Vietnam through his work. “From behind the shadow, we let ourselves dream about the face on the other side: that of a refined Vietnamese woman,” he said. “Imagination stimulates the senses by unveiling beauty through their backs. I invite you to see the ‘stolen’ backs that are rarely photographed.” His Back Photography works were exhibited in Paris in March. Source: VNA … [Read more...]
Ho Chi Minh city CPI up 0.43 percent in September
Ho Chi Minh city’s consumer price index (CPI) in September increased 0.43 percent from the previous month, and 2.71 percent from the same month last year, the municipal Statistics Office reported on September 24. A price hike was seen in seven out of 11 major goods and services groups with the highest rise spotted in education at 4.06 percent due increasing demands for learning equipment for the new school year. Other groups saw an upturn in the months were transportation with 0.61 percent; home appliances, 0.18 percent; housing, electricity, water, fuel, and construction materials, 0.18 percent; food and catering services, 0.14 percent; beverage and cigarette, 0.06 percent; and apparel, headwear and footwear, 0.02 percent. Especially, in the restaurant and catering service group, foodstuff rose 1.72 percent, food increased 1.17 percent, and dine-out climbed 0.45 percent. Some commodities also experienced a drop in their prices, including culture, entertainment with 0.3 percent, … [Read more...]
Vietnamese student wins int’l letter-writing contest
Imagining herself as the three-year-old Syrian boy who was drowned off the coast of Turkey, Nguyen Thi Thu Trang wrote a letter from the child to himself when he reaches the age of 45. The letter won the first prize in the 2016 International Letter Writing Competition for Young People held by the Universal Postal Union (UPU). In her letter, Trang played the role of the late AylanKurdi - the drowned Syrian child washed up on a beach in Bodrum, Turkey while trying to reach the Greek island of Kos earlier this year, as seen in the world-shaking photo on the tragedy of wars, conflicts and illegal immigration into Europe. Her letter, which "was written from heaven" about a world without violence or discrimination, won the first prize in the contest at the national level in May in Vietnam. It was translated into French and English to be sent to the organising board of the 45th UPU International Letter Writing Contest based in Switzerland for the international round. Trang is a student in Nam … [Read more...]
Fifth Asian Beach Games kicks off in Da Nang city
Prime Minister (PM) Nguyen XuanPhuc declared the opening of the fifth Asian Beach Games (ABG5) at a ceremony at the Bien Dong Park Square in the central city of Da Nang on September 24 night. The opening ceremony saw the participation of about 4,600 coaches and athletes from 45 countries and territories worldwide, who are competing in 14 sports with 22 events for 165 medal sets. Nearly 400 reporters, including about 170 foreign journalists, were also present to cover the event. As one of the largest sports events in Asia, ABG was initiated by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and is held every two years with the first edition in Bali, Indonesia, in 2008. Themed “Shining Sea, Bright Future,” ABG5 aims to introduce Vietnam to international friends as a beautiful, hospitable and united nation which is looking towards a bright future. Addressing the ceremony, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien, who is also head of the ABG5 Steering Committee, … [Read more...]
Greenback weaker against dong, rate to stay stable
By Lan Nhi - The Saigon Times Daily A bank employee holds U.S. dollar banknotes. The U.S. dollar since the year’s beginning has fallen by 0.6% against Vietnam dong - Photo: Minh Khue HANOI – The U.S. dollar since the year’s beginning has fallen by 0.6% against Vietnam dong, and it is forecast that the exchange rate will remain stable in the rest of the year. Exchange rate goes down A recent report by the Vietnam Industry and Trade Information Center under the Ministry of Industry and Trade shows that the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and Vietnam dong remained stable in July, after a strong adjustment in late May and a long period of steady decline before that. The common rate was some VND20,870 to the dollar for buying and VND20,900 for selling. In comparison with early 2012, the greenback dipped by 0.6% against Vietnam dong, says the report. Such a reduction kept the exchange market stable. Dollar prices in the free market were lower than the levels … [Read more...]
Ministry bids to improve rice storage
Paddy prices pick up as storage program closes By Thuy Dung and Trung Chanh - The Saigon Times Daily HANOI, CAN THO - The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development last Friday represented a draft scheme to related agencies for their comments in a bid to improve the contemporary rice stockpiling scheme. The move is due to the fact that the present rice storage program has been unable to ensure profits for local farmers. With the draft scheme ‘Mechanism of purchasing and stocking up on rice to support rice farmers in a direct way’, the ministry proposes three new methods to do the job. Under the plan, the country will keep in stock one million tons of rice for the winter-spring crop in February and March annually. Storing one to 1.5 million tons for the summer-autumn crop will be done in July, August and September each year for three months after loans for the program are disbursed. Firstly, each farming household can keep at least five tons of rice at their homes or … [Read more...]
SBBS off the hook over disputed deposit
SBBS off the hook over disputed deposit By Thanh Thuong - The Saigon Times Daily HCMC – Saigonbank Berjaya Securities Company, or SBBS, should have been probed for failing to meet the liquid capital ratio despite the broker’s disputed VND210 billion deposit still being under police investigation. According to the financial report of SBBS, it has deposited VND210 billion at a commercial bank branch but the two sides have fallen into dispute over the deposit. Investigation agencies so far have yet to conclude the case. In the first six months of the year, SBBS received interest of VND1.6 billion from the deposit. The broker has also taken legal proceedings against the bank and is carrying out solutions to get the money back. A private source told the Daily that if the deposit was not factored in, SBBS would be put into the watch list for having a liquid capital ratio of 149% while the level required is 150%. Therefore, SBBS has explained the situation to authorities and won … [Read more...]
Enertec Expo 2012 attracts 70 companies
Enertec Expo 2012 attracts 70 companies By Tran Son - The Saigon Times Daily HCMC – More than 70 enterprises have registered to join the Enertec Expo 2012 from August 15-18 at Tan Binh Exhibition & Convention Center in Tan Binh District, said the city’s Department of Industry and Trade. Tran Van Hoa, deputy head of the Energy Management Division under the department, told the Daily on Tuesday that this year’s event would focus on promoting energy saving products to raise the public awareness of the benefits in using energy saving products. The fair also creates favorable conditions for local companies to seek partners, expand markets, and develop production and business activities, and helps international firms look for local distributors and do business in Vietnam, Hoa said. The fair, featuring 120 booths, is organized to call for saving power in production and consumption, thus ensuring energy security. It is jointly hosted by the industry department, the HCMC … [Read more...]
Film Screening “Le Roi et L’oiseau” & “Antigang”
Two French movies “Le Roi et L’oiseau” & “Antigang” will be screened at Institut Français de Hanoi – L’Espace, 24 Trang Tien Street, Hanoi on September 30th and October 2nd. “Antigang” (2015, 90 mins, September 30th) Director: Benjamin Rocher Cast: Jean Reno, Caterina Murino, Alban Lenoir Humor, stunts and explosions, “Antigang” offers a feast for the eyes! As for Jean Reno, he shines in this supercharged thriller. Language: French with Vietnamese subtitles. Le Roi et L’oiseau (October 2nd) This animation classic is a great song about love and freedom that brings the Andersen fairy tale back to life. Many ages have passed, Andersen fairy tale “Le roi et l’oiseau” has proved as a hauntingly powerful story. The plot tells about the cruel king who prohibits romance between the shepherd girl and the chimney cleaning boy. Meanwhile, a bird defends the couple. The animation debuts in 1979 … [Read more...]
International Conference on Tourism and Sports in Da Nang
(VOVworld) - The International Conference on Tourism and Sports opened in the central city of Da Nang on Saturday. The conference is part of this year’s action plan of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) hosted by Vietnam on the occasion of the fifth Asian Beach Games. Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam said at the opening ceremony that the link between sports and tourism will offer a good opportunity for the development of participating countries. This link will also create an excellent exchanges between peoples and nations and make the world peaceful and prosperous. The conference focused on the development trend of tourism in combination with sports, mutual relations between tourism and sports, and contributions of tourism and sports to sustainable growth. Also high on the agenda were the ways and experience to develop tourist and sports products. The Da Nang statement on tourism and sports for sustainable development was released at the end of the conference on the same … [Read more...]
Vietnam, an active member of CITES
(VOVworld) – The 17th Conference of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) opened in Johannesburg, South Africa on Saturday involving representatives of 182 member countries and organizations involved in wildlife protection. Head of the Vietnamese delegation, Ha Cong Tuan, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, said Vietnam has proactively contributed to the international organization over the past 22 years. He reiterated that the Vietnamese government has committed to eliminating the network of illegally trafficking of wild animal products and has resolutely fought against crimes relating to wildlife trade. Tuan said Vietnam will host the 17th international wildlife trade conference in Hanoi this November. The 17th CITES meeting is scheduled to close next Wednesday. … [Read more...]
Da Nang organises a flag-hoisting ceremony for ABG5
The Hanoitimes - A flag-raising ceremony for the fifth Asian Beach Games (ABG5-2016) was organised in Pham Van Dong park, central Da Nang city, on September 22. The ABG5-2016 is scheduled to take place from September 24 to October 3 in Da Nang with 14 sports (including 22 categories) and 172 sets of medals. The Games will draw the participation of about 6,500 athletes, coaches and officials from 42 delegations of Asian countries and territories. At the flag-raising ceremony At present, Da Nang is ready for the ABG5-2016, said Dang Viet Dung, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang city People’s Committee. According to the organising committees, all subcommittees are in a hurry to complete tasks and the city’s Department of Information prepared all necessary facilities to ensure smooth communication during the games. The protocol subcommittee recruited and trained 1,530 volunteers and arranged accommodations for officials and athletes. The municipal Department of Tourism will … [Read more...]