It was a crucial turning point in former South Korean Ambassador to Vietnam Ha Chan Ho’s life when he switched from finance to diplomacy, and his appointment in the Southeast Asian country proved to be his greatest ambassadorship ever. The ambassador has returned to Vietnam several times since he wrapped up his three-year tenure in Vietnam in 2013. “The Vietnamese blood seems to always run in my veins, and many have mistaken me for a Vietnamese man,” Ha said. Finance to diplomacy “I was not born a diplomat and never thought of becoming an ambassador during my school years,” the veteran diplomat revealed. After graduating from university with flying colors in 1976, he landed a dream job at Korea Exchange Bank. “It was a well-paid, stable job but I was somehow not happy, until the dream of being a diplomat was lit,” he added. Back in the late 1970s, South Korea was transforming itself from a backward economy into a thriving nation which … [Read more...] about Ambassadors in Vietnam – P8: A life-changing move
Climate change
An Giang calls for WB’s support in sustainable development
At the working session (Source: VNA) An Giang (VNA) – Chairman of the An Giang province People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Binh has called for more support from the World Bank (WB) for the locality to implement climate change adaptation and sustainable development projects. During a working session on December 12 with a delegation led by Regional Director for East Asia and Pacific at the WB Benoit Bosquet, Binh said that the six projects of the locality will concentrate on sustainable livelihood for local residents, safe agriculture development, water supply and waste water treatment, and dealing with landslides along coasts and river banks. The projects will be implemented with a total investment of around 172.63 million USD, and priority will be given to the building of a waste water collection and treatment system in Tan Chau town. Binh appreciated the WB’s support for An Giang in implementing sustainable development programmes, saying that … [Read more...] about An Giang calls for WB’s support in sustainable development
Binh Thuan gives 11 project licences worth $990 million
The authorities of the central province of Binh Thuan on Sunday granted in-principle licences to 11 investment projects with total capital of VNĐ23 trillion (US$990 million). Mũi Né Beach The provincial People’s Committee also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for 14 projects to enter the province with total registered capital of $19 billion. There was huge potential for Binh Thuan’s sea economic development and local authorities must explore the resources efficiently and speed up the province’s socio-economic development, Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình said at the province’s conference to call for investment in local tourism, the processing and manufacturing industry and high-tech agriculture. The province had to keep opening the door to businesses and encourage them to do sustainable business operation, avoiding damaging the environment, Bình said. To do that, the province’s planning must be done … [Read more...] about Binh Thuan gives 11 project licences worth $990 million
Universities adjust courses to meet Industry 4.0 requirements
Students of Vietnam National University, Hanoi conduct a physical experiement. (Photo: Vietnam+) Hanoi (VNA) – The university entrance examination for 2019 will mark a new milestone in training orientations as many facilities announced new training programmes to serve the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, many of which are being introduced for the first time. Alongside, many universities have made changes in training activities to meet the requirements of the market. New academic programmes In 2019, the National Economic University (NEU) will open seven new programmes - business analysis, data science in economy and business, financial investment, finance technology, business management in smart operation, quality control and reform, and management of international hotels. All the programmes will be taught in English. The university plans to recruit just 50 students for each programme. The courses require students to have basic English skills. NEU Principal Prof. … [Read more...] about Universities adjust courses to meet Industry 4.0 requirements