International

Peter Ryder, CEO of Indochina Capital It is passé now to say that the US-North Korea summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean Chairman Kim Jong Un in Hanoi has elevated Vietnam’s international profile. Raise it, it has, to the point now that possibly more media attention has been paid to Vietnam in the context of (1) why Vietnam was chosen to host this world critical tête-a-tête, (2) what impact the summit will have on Vietnam’s economy and geo-political standing going forward and (3) will Vietnam become the model of successful economic reform for North Korea, than for the rendezvous itself between President Trump and Chairman Kim. Many observers have commented that previously even major geo-political events that involved Vietnam were held elsewhere, pointing to the 1954 Geneva peace conference and the Paris peace talks of the late 60s and early 70s. And yet look where we are today, with Vietnam hosting arguably the most significant global … [Read more...] about US-North Korea summit raises international role of Vietnam

Broadcaster and translator Phuong, 32, was among 18 foreign residents who received the award from Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon at the Seoul City Hall Tuesday. In 2013, Da Nang native Phuong went to Korea to pursue a masters degree in Korean education under a fully-funded Korean government scholarship at Yonsei University in Seoul, one of the best universities in the country. After her studies, she began working as a broadcaster for KBS channel, one of the biggest Korea's public service broadcasters, teaching Vietnamese and Korean. Phuong has also interpreted at several political meetings between the Vietnamese and Korean governments. She told Vietnam News Agency that she hopes her activities will contribute to the relationship between the two countries and help promote positive image of both nations to their peoples. Honorary citizens like Phuong will be given opportunities to participate in the administrative affairs of Seoul, including the possibility of being appointed a policy advisor … [Read more...] about Vietnamese national named honorary citizen of Seoul

An Indian tourist who landed in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday was overcharged by a cab driver who pretended to be an employee of a popular local taxi company. Upon arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, the foreign visitor took a cab from the airdrome to a hotel on Nguyen Hue Street in District 1, about eight kilometers apart. The driver dropped him off about 100 meters away from his destination in an impolite manner before charging him VND1.2 million (US$51.6), according to the tourist’s account. It normally costs around VND150,000 ($6.45) to travel such a distance by taxi. The Indian tourist said he caught the cab via a taxi dispatcher, adding that the driver presented him with a receipt with a logo of Mai Linh Corporation, a popular taxi firm in Ho Chi Minh City. On the receipt, there was no information about the name and code of the driver and the date of the journey, except for the fare and the driver’s signature. After the incident was reported, a … [Read more...] about Indian visitor ripped off by bogus Mai Linh driver in Ho Chi Minh City

Authorities check the number of illegally transported pangolins (Photo: VNA)   Hanoi (VNA) – Competent forces in the central province of Ha Tinh caught a couple suspected of illegally transporting 30 live pangolins in the province’s Huong Son district on July 29. The arrested were Phan Van Dung and his wife Dang Thi Lai, both born in 1978 and residing in Tay Son township of Huong Son district. Their vehicle was heading to Tay Son township from the Cau Treo international border gate. The pangolins, weighing about 150 kg, were hidden in the trunk. The couple admitted they were hired by a person living in Laos’ Laksao town to transport the wild animals to Vietnam through the Cau Treo international border gate. Authorised agencies seized relevant exhibits to carry out further investigation. The pangolin is one of the most trafficked mammals in the world. In Vietnam, illegal hunting, trading, poaching and transportation of even one pangolin carries punishment … [Read more...] about Couple arrested on suspicion of illegally transporting 150 kg of wild animals

Illustrative image (Source: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – Promoting investment in green growth was the focus of a forum on sustainable finance in Ho Chi Minh City on May 28. Participants at the event, who included experts from management agencies like the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the State Bank and the State Securities Commissions, commercials banks and international and domestic investment funds, discussed measures to push the implementation of green growth strategy targets. They also looked for ways to mobilise investment capital for climate change adaptation projects as Vietnam is facing increasing challenges from climate change. The International Financial Corporation (IFC) forecasted that from now until 2030, investment in climate-related projects in Vietnam could amount to 753 billion USD, including 59 billion USD in renewable energy and 80 billion USD in green works. Experts said that investment flow and funding from the private economic sector has a crucial role … [Read more...] about Forum seeks to promote investment in green growth