The Deloitte Global Manufacturing Competitiveness Index for 2016, the Business Times said, noted that by 2020 – Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, India and Vietnam – could quite possibly rank among the top 15 manufacturing countries in the globe. Manufacturing labour costs in Indonesia, according to Deloitte, currently run about one-fifth of those in China, while in Vietnam and India they are about half the level of the most populous nation in Asia. The five Southeast Asian countries have a few distinct longer term competitive advantages over China, Deloitte said, such as better prospects for a continued growing younger workforce over the next three decades. In addition, a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership currently under negotiation among ASEAN and India, China, Australia, the Republic of Korea, Japan and New Zealand holds great promise for higher … [Read more...]

ABAC Vietnam Chairman Hoang Van Dung (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The third meeting of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) in 2017 will convene in Toronto, Canada, from July 24-28. The meeting will gather business leaders from APEC member economies to discuss issues related to trade, economic cooperation and regional connectivity to prepare for the APEC Economic Leaders Week in Vietnam next November. A Vietnamese delegation led by ABAC Vietnam Chairman Hoang Van Dung will attend the meeting. In addition, Permanent Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son will participate in a number of events within the framework of the meeting. According to Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Canadian Minister of International Trade, through cooperation with the ABAC, Canada has been able to scale up trade and investment ties with Pacific … [Read more...]

Vietnamese students at the 58th International Mathematics Olympiad  in Brazil (Source: nhandan.com.vn)   Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese students bagged four gold, one silver and one bronze medals at the 58th International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) in Brazil, helping the country rank third in the medal tally, the Ministry of Education and Training reported on July 22. The gold medallists are Hoang Huu Quoc Huy, a 12th grader from Le Quy Don Gifted High School in southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province; Le Quang Dung, a 12th grader from Lam Son Gifted High School in central Thanh Hoa province; Nguyen Canh Hoang, a 12th grader from Phan Boi Chai Gifted High School in central Nghe An province; and Phan Nhat Duy, also a 12th grader from Ha Tinh Gifted High School in central Ha Tinh province. Pham Nam Khanh, an 11th grader from Hanoi-Amsterdam Gifted High School won the … [Read more...]

Chinese Ambassador Qiu Guohong said the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system had a "serious impact" on the mutual trust between the two countries, calling it "the biggest hurdle" for the development of bilateral relations. "Many South Koreans say Beijing is retaliating against Seoul. But exchange and cooperation between countries call for political common ground, and we need to quickly find ways to resolve the issue," Qiu said in a business forum in South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju. China has imposed restrictions on South Korean imports and banned the sale of group tour packages to its neighbor in protest of the U.S. missile system in South Korea. Seoul and Washington said the missile system is only meant to counter North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats. But China has repeatedly pressed South Korea to withdraw the THAAD system out of concern that the deployment could hurt Beijing's security interests. Qiu also … [Read more...]

Chinese Ambassador Qiu Guohong said the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system had a "serious impact" on the mutual trust between the two countries, calling it "the biggest hurdle" for the development of bilateral relations. "Many South Koreans say Beijing is retaliating against Seoul. But exchange and cooperation between countries call for political common ground, and we need to quickly find ways to resolve the issue," Qiu said in a business forum in South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju. China has imposed restrictions on South Korean imports and banned the sale of group tour packages to its neighbor in protest of the U.S. missile system in South Korea. Seoul and Washington said the missile system is only meant to counter North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats. But China has repeatedly pressed South Korea to withdraw the THAAD system out of concern that the deployment could hurt Beijing's security interests. Qiu also … [Read more...]

The announcement comes after the death of U.S. college student Otto Warmbier, who died last month after returning from the North in a coma, source from the Yonhap. "Due to mounting concerns over the serious risk of arrest and long-term detention under North Korea's system of law enforcement, the Secretary has authorized a Geographical Travel Restriction on all U.S. citizen nationals' use of a passport to travel in, through, or to North Korea," State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement. The restriction will be announced in the Federal Register next week and take effect 30 days after the notice's publication. Those wishing to travel to the North for "certain limited humanitarian or other purposes" will be required to apply for a special validation. The U.S. has previously warned its citizens against travel to North Korea, but it will be the first such ban. The measure comes as Congress pushes to prohibit Americans' travel … [Read more...]

The announcement comes after the death of U.S. college student Otto Warmbier, who died last month after returning from the North in a coma, source from the Yonhap. "Due to mounting concerns over the serious risk of arrest and long-term detention under North Korea's system of law enforcement, the Secretary has authorized a Geographical Travel Restriction on all U.S. citizen nationals' use of a passport to travel in, through, or to North Korea," State Department spokesperson Heather Nauert said in a statement. The restriction will be announced in the Federal Register next week and take effect 30 days after the notice's publication. Those wishing to travel to the North for "certain limited humanitarian or other purposes" will be required to apply for a special validation. The U.S. has previously warned its citizens against travel to North Korea, but it will be the first such ban. The measure comes as Congress pushes to prohibit Americans' travel … [Read more...]

On the occasion, General Department II presented 120 gifts including daily necessities and household appliances to local policy beneficiaries and a set of computer to the local primary school. In addition, the delegation also sent gifts, worth VND 500,000 each, to 26 wounded soldiers and 23 martyrs’ families and built a new gratitude house for Huynh Thi Cam, a relative of Martyr Pham Van So who sacrificed himself in the resistance war against American invaders. Over the past year, the unit participated in many activities on building strong local grassroots political systems and organized civilian-military medical programs in revolutionary bases, border areas and on islands across the country. In Tay Ninh province, the unit organized three civilian-military medical programs, provided free health check-ups and medicines for nearly 1,000 people, presented gifts to more than 360 policy beneficiaries and national contributors, built 3 gratitude houses, and sent school … [Read more...]

This is part of the activities to mark the 70th Vietnamese Wounded and Fallen Soldiers' Day (July 27, 1947 - 2017). On the same day, Gen. Lich and the delegation had a working session with the Standing Board of the Quang Tri provincial Party Committee on socio-economic development and national defense and security and Party building of the locality.  Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich and veterans at the Ancient Citadel of Quang Tri Secretary of the Quang Tri provincial Party Committee Nguyen Van Hung gave a brief overview of the provincial activities to mark the 70th Vietnam Wounded and Fallen Soldiers' Day. Accordingly, the province has built hundreds of houses and presented gifts to more than 2,000 national contributors. At the event, the Standing Board of the Quang Tri provincial Party Committee also defined 2017 as the year of administrative reform to create favorable conditions for … [Read more...]

Under the regulations of the IMO 2017, the benchmark for the gold medal is from 25 points upwards and those for the silver and bronze medals are from 19 points and 16 points, respectively. Vietnamese students participating in the IMO 2017. Photo: vnexpress.net Accordingly, Vietnam won four gold medals and the winners are Hoang Huu Quoc Huy (Student at Le Quy Don Gifted High School, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province, 35 points); Le Quang Dung (Student at Lam Son Gifted High School, Thanh Hoa province, 28 points); Nguyen Canh Hoang (Student at Phan Boi Chau Gifted High School, Nghe An province, 28 points); Phan Nhat Duy (Student at Ha Tinh Gifted High School, Ha Tinh province, 25 points). Of them, Hoang Huu Quoc Huy is one of the three students achieving 35 points at the IMO 2017, the perfect score of this year’s event. Two other Vietnamese students, namely Pham Nam Khanh from Hanoi - Amsterdam Gifted High … [Read more...]

The meeting will gather business leaders from APEC member economies to discuss issues related to trade, economic cooperation and regional connectivity to prepare for the APEC Economic Leaders Week in Vietnam in upcoming November. ABAC Vietnam Chairman Hoang Van Dung  A Vietnamese delegation led by ABAC Vietnam Chairman Hoang Van Dung will attend the meeting. In addition, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son will participate in a number of events within the framework of the meeting. According to Pamela Goldsmith-Jones, Parliamentary Secretary to the Canadian Minister of International Trade, through cooperation with the ABAC, Canada has been able to scale up trade and investment ties with Pacific nations and territories, including growing Asian markets. By working together, APEC economies could achieve benefits of sustainable and inclusive trade, thus bringing prosperity to people in the … [Read more...]

The two leaders vowed to actively seek opportunities for economic cooperation towards the goal, and at the same time continue stepping up national defense-security ties through maintaining joint working group of the two navies, accelerating the launch of a hotline, organizing joint activities in search and rescue towards conducting joint patrols at sea.  Vietnam and Indonesia agree to lift two-way trade to USD 10 billion. Photo: Vietnam+ They also agreed that the two countries will accelerate negotiations for the early signing of an agreement on demarcation of their exclusive economic zones and an MoU on marine and fishery cooperation. Both sides committed to working closely together to strengthen solidarity and internal unity of ASEAN and to maintain consensus and ASEAN’s central role in regional issues, the East Sea (South China Sea) issue and at regional and global forums. They agreed to enhance … [Read more...]

The program saw the presence of Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung and ambassadors of ASEAN member countries to Vietnam. Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung speaking at the event. Photo: cand.com.vn  Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung stated that, this event brings a meaningful playground for diplomats from ASEAN member countries, contributing to promoting mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation among diplomats. It also provides a good opportunity for all to learn more about the core values of respect, responsibility, discipline and teamwork. He also hoped the sport exchange program will help boost the sports movements among diplomats, officials and workers at ASEAN agencies and ASEAN member countries' embassies in Hanoi. On behalf of the ASEAN diplomats, Ms. Maria Cynthia Pelay, Charge D'Affaires A.I. of the … [Read more...]

Rita Rasimaite burst into tears Saturday morning when police told she that her beloved bicycle, which was stolen three days ago, was found and the suspected thief was arrested. The 26-year-old Lithuanian biker realized that someone stole her bike from the front of her hostel in District 1 the next day after she reached Ho Chi Minh City in the night of July 18. The southern city was the final stop of her cycling journey across Vietnam, lasting more than 3,600km from north to south within the past two months. Rita Rasimaite poses when stopping by the northern city of Hai Phong, in this photo posted on her Facebook page Colonel Nguyen Nhat Thanh, deputy head of the District 1 police unit said on Saturday morning they had found the suspect and retrieved Rasimaite’s bike. According to the police, Le Van Viet, 51, residing in Bui Vien Street, District 1 initially admitted that he stole … [Read more...]

Meeting with the Governor after arriving in Preah Sihanouk, the Party leader welcomed the Cambodian province’s proposal on encouraging Vietnamese investors to do business in the province and working with Vietnam in building transport infrastructure.  He said that relevant agencies and localities should discuss plans to realise the proposal in the time ahead.  Trong praised the great potential of Preah Sihanouk and noted that the province has good relations with many Vietnamese localities, wishing the relations will grow across the fields. Governor Yun Minh recalled his vivid memories of the time he fought side by side with Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts to liberate Cambodia from the genocidal regime.  He said the Vietnamese community in the province live in harmony with the local people and administration, adding that the province pays attention to enhancing the friendship with many Vietnamese cities and … [Read more...]

In the study conducted by the US Fashion Industry Association, a Washington, DC, group that works to eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers, nearly 70% of executives surveyed rated protectionist trade policies as their top concern. That’s up from the No. 10 spot on the survey last year. In the study, which surveyed 34 executives employed by large multinationals, China was reported the largest sourcing arena for clothing imports into the US and Vietnam was considered the second go to spot. The percentage of respondents who reported they currently source product from China dipped 9% to 91%. In last year’s study, all the respondent multinationals reported they manufactured clothing and textiles in China. While Vietnam was considered a popular sourcing destination, by the respondents, only 36% said they planned to increase their sourcing in that country … [Read more...]

However, rising GDP has not translated to improved state finances and analysts estimate the country now needs at least US$480 billion over the next four years to fund essential infrastructure. If the spending does not go through, analysts say Vietnam risks growth-restraining bottlenecks in logistics and transport, an obvious point to anyone who has ever been stuck in a Ho Chi Minh City traffic jam. Such projects include a US$16 billion new airport for Ho Chi Minh City; a US$14 billion highway linking the southern financial hub to the capital Hanoi; and mass transit metros for both cities. The government is presently weighing its options, says the Asia Times, as current inflows of foreign direct investment are vastly insufficient and don’t even come close to meet the massive amounts of money needed. For the first half of 2017 the government says … [Read more...]

A veteran artisan from Vietnam’s Mong ethnic minority has created a thriving business over the past decade by promoting her community’s hallmark brocade and single-handedly marketing it on a global level. Vang Thi Mai, a 55-year-old businesswoman hailing the ethnic Mong community in Lung Tam Commune, Quang Ba District in the northern mountainous province of Ha Giang, founded the Lung Tam Lanh (flax) Cooperative in 2006 as a way to promote her people’s traditional ‘lanh’ attire and decorative goods. Lanh (flax) brocade clothing has been at the heart of the ethnic community’s daily and spiritual lives for centuries. Whether attending festivals or getting married, a Mong person can be easily identified by their lanh outfits. Even in death, Mong are dressed in the traditional garb in order to be recognized and embraced by deceased ancestors. After a recent business trip to Hanoi – … [Read more...]

'City of dreams' builders facing uncertain futures in Saigon VnExpress International went out to talk with the builders working on what is heralded as Southeast Asia's financial hub about life on the site. What's your take on Saigon sacrificing over 250 trees for new bridge? One of the city's most beautiful tree-lined streets will be cut bare by the project. Hanoi leaders blamed for blowing millions on late, expensive infrastructure projects Contractors and investors were hand-picked for most of the projects, which were not put out for tender. In Vietnam, pain and memories linger on decades after China's invasion Living with broken bodies and minds, the horror story isn't over for many people in Ha Giang Province. 9 dead or missing in Vietnam as infrastructure … [Read more...]

Discharge from Southeast Asia’s largest hydropower dam in northern Vietnam early this week has shocked and killed at least 280 tons of fish, causing farmers over $500,000 of losses. The Hoa Binh hydropower plant in the namesake province started releasing water for the first time on Tuesday, sending out an average of 2,400 cubic meters (630,000 gallons), enough to fill an Olympic swimming pool, every second. Hoa Binh’s disaster response and rescue team said the release has flooded 6 hectares (15 acres) of rice fields and killed 39.5 tons of fish by Friday, Vietnam News Agency reported. It also caused landslides that directly threatened 13 families, leaving cracks on several houses. Two men were drowned as their boat capsized on a flooded field in Hoa Binh on Thursday, but the deaths have not been associated with the release. The dam effect reached further to the neighboring Phu Tho Province, killing at least 240 tons of farmed fish by Wednesday, Tran Quang … [Read more...]