The country’s leading telecom company, Viettel, is set to become a digital service provider this year, having lined up a number of products and services from the digital eco-system. “To create a digital society, Viettel must do two things: manufacture products and services of industry 4.0 standard and promote digitisation of the government,” Gen Le Dang Dung, chairman of Viettel Group, told Viet Nam News. The military-owned company is upgrading its 4G network to create infrastructure for the internet of things (IoT). Viettel plans to offer 5G services in the first quarter of this year once the Government approves testing of 5G technical systems, and pilot business models that use 5G technology. By next year its 5G broadband network would expand to meet the needs of businesses and socio-economic development. Viettel has virtualised all core network equipment and information technology infrastructure; transferred all IT applications to cloud and is ready with mobile … [Read more...] about Viettel eyes entry into digital services market
Free entry to Hue imperial relic site during Tet
At Hue ancient citadel relic complex (Source: VNA) Thua Thien – Hue (VNA) – The Hue ancient citadel relic complex – a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site – will be open with free admission for domestic visitors during the first three days of the 2019 Lunar New Year (February 5-7). Holidaymakers to the Hue ancient capital city on those days will have a chance to participate in royal games and enjoy calligraphy and martial arts performances, along with traditional dragon and lion dances. As part of activities welcoming the arrival of Tet, the biggest and most important festival year-round in Vietnam, the Hue Monuments Conservation Centre will re-enact the Neu tree planting ceremony, a traditional ritual practised under the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945) on January 28 (the 23rd day of the last lunar month). There will also be an array of activities such as wrapping chung cake (a traditional Tet novelty cake made from glutinous rice). … [Read more...] about Free entry to Hue imperial relic site during Tet
Cần Thơ to exceed budget revenue target
Viet Nam News HCM CITY — The Cần Thơ City’s Customs Department is targeting collecting VNĐ2.39 trillion (US$102.98 million) for its budget, exceeding 5 per cent of the goal assigned by the Ministry of Finance. To achieve the target, the department will closely manage revenues, strengthen inspections and control prices, origin of goods and tax collection for imports and exports. Speaking at a Customs Department meeting on Tuesday, Trương Quang Hoài Nam, vice chairman of Cần Thơ City People’s Committee, asked the department to work with agencies to fight smuggling and trade fraud, and manage the issuance of origin certificates of goods (C/O) at enterprises. The city will also continue to promote administrative reform so that more businesses will follow customs declaration procedures at the Cần Thơ City Customs Department. Nguyễn Văn Vũ, deputy director of the city’s … [Read more...] about Cần Thơ to exceed budget revenue target
Exhibition spotlights traditional Quan ho singing in modern context
Quan ho artists talk to school pupils about the art form at the exhibition (Photo: VNA) Bac Ninh (VNA) – An exhibition on Quan ho (love duets) opened in the northern province of Bac Ninh on January 23 to mark a decade since the traditional art form was recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity (2009 - 2019). Taking place at the provincial museum, the exhibition features more than 500 photos, documents, and objects that tell the story of Quan ho. Quan ho is an art form that combines various elements, including music, lyrics, and costume, and features the distinctive culture of people in the region, formerly called Kinh Bac. It has different sub-genres, including hat chuc, hat mung (literally meaning greeting singing), hat tho (ritual singing), hat canh (a singing competition between Quan ho choirs from different villages, which takes place in the evening during the spring festival), and hat hoi (festival singing). After its recognition as an … [Read more...] about Exhibition spotlights traditional Quan ho singing in modern context
Work starts on first yarn factory in southwestern region
The ceremony to start construction of the Dong Nam - Bac Lieu yarn factory on January 23 (Photo: VNA) Bac Lieu (VNA) – The Dong Nam Textile JSC, a subsidiary of the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex), began construction of the first yarn factory in the southwestern region in Bac Lieu province on January 23. The factory, located at Tra Kha Industrial Park in Bac Lieu city, has the total investment capital of over 500 billion VND (21.56 million USD) and is scheduled to be built in 24 months. The first phase of the plant, with the investment of 275 billion VND, is designed to produce 3,500 tonnes of yarn each year when it begins operations in late 2019. The annual production capacity will be raised to 4,500 tonnes in the second phase, which will be invested in with 238 billion VND. The factory is expected to earn 525 billion VND in revenue each year and provide 500 jobs for local people. Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vinatex Tran Quang Nghi said … [Read more...] about Work starts on first yarn factory in southwestern region
Thailand issues royal decree on election date
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (Photo: VNA) Bangkok (VNA) – A royal decree on Thailand’s general election was issued on January 23, which will be followed by an announcement of the election date. The decree, published in the Royal Gazette, called for a general election of members of parliament and gives the kingdom’s Election Commission five days to announce when it will hold the highly anticipated poll. The same day, Thai media quoted Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha as saying that he will join a party which supports the current administration’s policies. Earlier, the pro-government party Phalang Pracharath (PPRP) said that General Prayut Chan-o-cha is one of the party’s leading PM candidates at parliament after the election. However, the Thai PM said that the PPRP has yet to offer him an invitation to join it. The election date is widely expected to fall on March 24, marking a one-month delay from the previously scheduled date of February 24. … [Read more...] about Thailand issues royal decree on election date
Vietnam trade deficit more than triples in first 15 days
The country recorded exports of $9.2 billion from January 1-15, but imported goods worth $10.19 billion in the same period, according to Vietnam Customs. Over two-thirds of Vietnam’s exports come from FDI firms. Economist Ngo Tri Long, former head of the Market Research Institute under the Ministry of Finance, told VnExpress International that Vietnam heavily depends on FDI businesses, therefore whenever exports decrease or imports increase in FDI firms, Vietnam’s trade balance will be affected. In the first 15 days this year, phone component exports, one of Vietnam’s strongest export items, dominated by FDI companies, dropped by 39 percent to $1.3 billion compared to the same period last year, official data shows. Computer components exports, also largely dependent on FDI firms, fell 4.7 percent over the same period last year. Economist Nguyen Tri Hieu warned that the trade deficit is a sign that Vietnam needs to reduce its … [Read more...] about Vietnam trade deficit more than triples in first 15 days
HCMC’s smart traffic operation centre to open in February
According to vice director of the department Tran Quang Lam, the centre, the first of its kind in Vietnam, is being developed from the Saigon River Tunnel Management Centre. Currently, it has been connected with 188 transport points in inner districts 1, 3, and 5; as well as Phu Nhuan and Tan Binh districts. The remote control system is now ready for operation, while plans for daily and seasonal automatic operations are being designed. Last year, the Saigon River Tunnel Management Centre started connecting the centre with all traffic cameras, electronic traffic boards, and traffic lights all over the city’s downtown, as well as in Tan Son Nhat International Airport for better management and operation. Le Minh Triet, Director of the Saigon River Tunnel Management Centre, said that the synchronisation work will finish in February this year. The centre will control traffic by directing traffic lights, supervising traffic, measuring the number of vehicles, and adjusting the … [Read more...] about HCMC’s smart traffic operation centre to open in February
Winners of 2018 Vietnam Musicians Association Awards honored
This year’s contest received 195 submissions of members of the Vietnam Musicians Association throughout the country. The organization board awarded two A prizes, eight B prizes, 29 C prizes, 19 consolation prizes and 3 certificates of merit. According to the judging board, there were not so many outstanding works in this year’s competition. Six categories, including song, art song, chamber music, symphony, choir and music critique did not see any A prizes. There were only two A prizes that belonged to a children’s song by Truong Quang Tuyen from HCMC and 20 critical essays on music by Nguyen Thi Minh Chau of Hanoi. The Vietnam Musicians' Association has currently more than 1,500 members, including composers, musicologists, performance artists and educators. There were 22 musicians who received the “Ho Chi Minh Award” and 120 members who were presented the State’s prizes for Literature and Arts. By MAI AN – Translated by Kim Khanh Tags: … [Read more...] about Winners of 2018 Vietnam Musicians Association Awards honored
Transport facilities to be enhanced for tourism
The Tháp Chàm - Đà Lạt Railway route will be restored to serve tourists. – Photo tuoitre.vnViet Nam News HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc has approved a project on passenger transport quality supervision and safe traffic. The project’s objective, set for 2025, is to equip 80 per cent of key bus stations, highway stops, railway stations, inland waterway ports and airports with modern facilities and connected tourist locations. All highways and expressways will be operated and managed by smart applications so as to gradually wipe out hotspots of traffic accidents. The project will include investment in building new tourism bus stations, seaports, airports and railway routes in localities which have great potential for tourism. All means of tourist transport for roads and inland waterways must have equipment that meets service quality and technical safety regulations. The project will also target … [Read more...] about Transport facilities to be enhanced for tourism