Feeling fruity: O mai (preserved sugared or salted fruits) has been a favourite daily treat for locals and is present in almost all Vietnamese homes during Tet (Vietnamese New Year) days. O mai is a preserved sugared or salted fruits. A favourite snack to tickle your taste buds during the days of Tet (Vietnamese New Year). The small cups on the table over flowing with colourful fruits were much more than just a snack. They symbolised the wish for a happy new year for the family. In days gone by selection of fruits used to produce o mai was sparse to say the least. Apricot, plum and sau (dracontomelon) were usually the only fruits in the bowl. Fast forward to today and o mai has evolved into mass production, providing jobs for many at factories countrywide. And the choice of fruit is almost endless. Starfruit, ambarella, peach and lemon to name but a few. What’s also expanded is taste and texture. You can now chose from sour, spicy, salty or sweet that can be served either … [Read more...] about My o mai, fruit tradition has become big business
Business
Uber sells Southeast Asia business to Grab after costly battle
Ride-hailing firm Uber Technologies Inc [UBER.UL] has agreed to sell its Southeast Asian business to bigger regional rival Grab, the firms said on Monday, marking the U.S. company’s second retreat from an Asian market. The industry’s first big consolidation in Southeast Asia, home to about 640 million people, puts pressure on Indonesia’s Go-Jek, which is backed by Alphabet Inc’s (GOOGL.O) Google and China’s Tencent Holdings Ltd (0700.HK). A shake-up in Asia’s fiercely competitive ride-hailing industry became likely earlier this year when Japan-based SoftBank Group Corp’s (9984.T) Vision Fund made a multi-billion dollar investment in Uber. “It was really a very independent decision by both companies,” Grab President Ming Maa told Reuters, adding that SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son was “highly supportive”. Uber will take a 27.5 percent stake in Singapore-based Grab and Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi will join Grab’s board. … [Read more...] about Uber sells Southeast Asia business to Grab after costly battle
Ministry tightens management of transport businesses
An Uber driver uses the app during a trip in Hanoi. Tran Bao Ngoc, Director of the ministry’s Transportation Department, said in an early March meeting that the new decree’s main objective was to better manage transport businesses using software. The move comes after a February announcement from the Hanoi Department of Transportation, stating that Uber and Grab must cease employing new drivers, and “temper operations” until a definite administrative framework was constructed. The MoT’s actions were welcomed by national taxi associations of Hanoi, HCM City and Da Nang, claiming on their official site on March 16 that with the two-year pilot period ending in January 2018, the ministry’s prolonged tolerance towards Uber and Grab is a step backward for the sector. According to the associations, the pilot phase had run too long, and if the ride-hailing firms continue operation, it would mean increasing uncontrolled traffic jams and mismanagement … [Read more...] about Ministry tightens management of transport businesses
Uber agrees to sell Southeast Asia business to Grab after costly battle
Ride-hailing firm Uber Technologies has agreed to sell its Southeast Asian business to bigger regional rival Grab, a source with direct knowledge of the matter said on Sunday, in what would be the U.S. company’s second retreat from Asia. The deal, which could be announced as early as Monday, marks the first big consolidation in the industry in Southeast Asia, home to about 640 million people, and will put pressure on rivals such as Indonesia’s Go-Jek, backed by Google and China’s Tencent Holdings. As part of the transaction, Uber would get a stake of as much as 30 percent in the combined business, the source said. He did not want to be identified as the deal is not public yet. A multi-billion dollar investment in Uber earlier this year by Japan’s SoftBank Group, already one of Grab’s main investors, had stoked expectations that Uber would consolidate its Southeast Asian business with Grab. Grab’s deal with Uber would be similar to the one struck in … [Read more...] about Uber agrees to sell Southeast Asia business to Grab after costly battle
Have yourself a merry little Christmas with special Business Class offers for Emirates’ flights to Europe
(VEN) - Greeting one of the most anticipated festive occasions of the year, Emirates merrily announces its new special offer for Business Class passengers travelling from Vietnam to European destinations across its network. The promotion is available for booking from 11th to 21st December 2017 and valid for travel until 30th November 2018. Emirates uses Boeing 777-300ER aircraft for flights from Vietnam Below are the featured destinations and starting from fares (fare is inclusive of taxes and applicable surcharges). From HCMC to Business Class from (VND*) Paris 74,860,000 Frankfurt 75,290,000 Oslo 76,090,000 Amsterdam 82,410,000 Barcelona 82,800,000 Rome 83,910,000 Lisbon 85,140,000 London 88,320,000 Visiting a European city during Christmas is guaranteed to get passengers into the festive spirit. In December, various activities and events take place across the continent, and cities are beautifully decorated … [Read more...] about Have yourself a merry little Christmas with special Business Class offers for Emirates’ flights to Europe