Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Da Nang (VNA) - The central city of Da Nang has become an attractive destination for more and more domestic and foreign investors operating in information technology (IT) and communications thanks to tireless efforts made by the local authorities to improve the quality of human resources and infrastructure for the sector. Da Nang is one of the leading localities in the country in developing IT and software industry. Statistics from the municipal Department of Information and Communications, about 20,000 people are working in Da Nang’s IT sector, significantly contributing to promoting the development of software technology in the city. Many international training programmes with high quality have been implemented in Da Nang, meeting the demand of domestic and foreign software firms. Notably, Da Nang University has cooperated with Washington and Portland Universities of the US, Grenoble and Marseille Universities of France in training … [Read more...] about Da Nang works to make IT spearhead sector
Da nang train station
Two killed as train hits truck, derails in central Vietnam
By Le Hoang  May 24, 2018 | 10:05 am GMT+7 Around 400 train passengers, including many foreigners, were transferred to a station one kilometer away. Two people were killed and 10 others were seriously injured when a train collided with a dumper truck in the central province of Thanh Hoa after midnight on Thursday. The accident happened at a level crossing at around 0:30 a.m. when the truck tried to cross the railroad in Tinh Gia District just as the train carrying over 400 passengers traveling from Hanoi to Da Nang was approaching. Nguyen The Hung, 42, the train driver, and his unidentified assistant were killed. The 10 injured passengers were sent to hospital for treatment. The train's locomotive was severed and seven of its cars derailed, blocking the vital north-south railway. The truck was knocked off 10 meters away from the level crossing. Rescue workers were dispatched to the site at 7 a.m. Authorities said all passengers, including many foreigners, have … [Read more...] about Two killed as train hits truck, derails in central Vietnam
Da Nang, FPT cooperate to build ‘smart’ city
Local residents search public procedure online at Da Nang’s Administrative centre. (Photo: VNA) Da Nang (VNA) - The central city of Da Nang and FPT, a Vietnamese software giant, inked on April 19 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on building Da Nang as a ‘smart city’ for the 2018-20 period. The MoU will help the city develop smart solutions in traffic, agriculture, English language training, health care and tourism. The two sides also agreed to complete online service in traffic and agriculture to boost connection between the city’s administration and local residents, as well as to promote transparency in administrative procedure. As planned, FPT will invest 15 billion VND (664,000 USD) to build pilot projects with smart applications in 2018-19. Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, Ho Ky Minh, said the MoU would help Da Nang improve administrative reform and transparency for local people, businesses and tourists, and build Da Nang as … [Read more...] about Da Nang, FPT cooperate to build ‘smart’ city
Japan, Vietnam Deepening Bilateral Relationship
In 2017, the strengthening of ties between Vietnam and Japan was reflected in events such as the visit of their majesty Emperor and Empress of Japan to Vietnam, proactive visits by the government leaders of both Vietnam and Japan to each others’ countries, the cooperation from Japanese local authorities and universities, and a variety of interactions among people in both countries. Expanded economic relations led Japan to rank first among countries with foreign direct investment in Vietnam. Political and social aspects of Vietnam were stable last year. In terms of the economy, the real economic growth rate last year was recorded as high as an estimated 6.81 per cent, a great achievement after 10 years of slower growth, while prices and the exchange rate were stabilised. On the other hand, issues including stagnation of productivity, environmental pollution, inequality, disaster mitigation, and corruption were more clearly identified. Some projects achieved steady … [Read more...] about Japan, Vietnam Deepening Bilateral Relationship
Transport tickets running short for festive season
Thousands of migrant workers in Ho Chi Minh City are worried about transport ticket shortages as the biggest festival of the year approaches. Thousands of migrant workers in HCM City are worried about transport ticket shortages as the biggest festival of the year approaches. (Photo: thanhnien.vn)A survey conducted at the Eastern Region bus station shows that almost all buses with beds from HCM City to provinces in the Mekong Delta, Northern and Central regions were fully booked.Nguyen Hoang Huy, deputy director of the bus station, told the Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper that the total number of tickets during the Tet (Vietnamese New Year) Holiday registered by transport enterprises was 170,000. Only 70,000 tickets are still available.However, major transporters such as Phuong Trang, Chin Nghia or Thuan Thao are hiring or mobilising more buses from the Western Region bus station to satisfy rising demand.Tien, a worker from the northern province of Nam Dinh, told the newspaper that … [Read more...] about Transport tickets running short for festive season
Social News 5/2
Tra Vinh: 6.2 mln USD to be spent on climate adaptation A rural road project in Tra Vinh (Source: http://bdkhtravinh.vn/site/633)Nearly 143 billion VND (6.2 million USD) will be spent to help farmers in the Mekong Delta province of Tra Vinh promote production models against climate change in 2018 in the framework of the on-going project Adaptation to Climate Change in the Mekong Delta (AMD). According to the project’s provincial coordination board, over 34.2 billion VND (1.5 million USD) of the amount will be the non-refundable aid from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and over 64.7 billion VND (2.8 million USD) is sourced by IFAD loans, while the provincial budget pays more than 23 billion VND (over 1 million USD). Huynh Nghia Tho, Director of the AMD Tra Vinh, said over 97 billion VND (4.2 million USD) out of the total will be used to improve livelihoods and build small-scale infrastructure facilities in adaptation to climate change; support … [Read more...] about Social News 5/2
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 1/2
PNJ targets opening at least 40 stores this yearPhu Nhuan Jewelry (PNJ) plans to open at least 40 new stores this year and have 300 by the end of April. The 40 new stores include gold stores or stores combining gold and silver retail.It has also set a net revenue target of VND14.1 trillion ($619.6 million) for the parent company this year, up 30 per cent, with after-tax profit increasing 22 per cent to VND882 billion ($38.7 million).PNJ is in the process of preparing for upgrading and modernizing its ERP system, through which it can study customer behavior at outlets and better understand customer choice.The company also plans to use big data to develop new products aimed at more specific customer groups and at the same time use digital marketing strategies to expand market share.As noted by HSC, PNJ’s sales in FY2017 increased 28 per cent year-on-year to VND10.97 trillion ($482.1 million) thanks to most segments growing strongly. Gold bar revenue increased 20 per cent, to … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 1/2
Social News 16/1
Fire destroys thousand sq. meter wood factory in Dong NaiA huge fire suddenly occurred at a wood factory of Shing Mark Company in Bai Xep Industrial Park, Trang Bom district, Dong Nai at midnight on January 15. Because materials inside the wood factory are easily ignited, the flame quickly spread out causing the firefighters to meet difficulties in order to access the site and localize the fire. By 5am today, the blaze was extinguished.The initial information showed that there was no death in the fire; however, the flame destroyed thousand sq. meter factory and burnt wood materials inside the factory. At present, the functional agencies have investigated the cause of the fire. HCM City ensures traffic safety for TetThe Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Safety Committee has deployed various measures to ensure traffic safety and order in the city before and during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.Nguyen Ngoc Tuong, deputy chief of the committee, said, “The campaign aims to … [Read more...] about Social News 16/1
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 15/1
Leather, footwear sector targets 20 bln USD in export earningsVietnam sets a target of earning between 19.5 - 20 billion USD from leather and footwear exports in 2018, up 10 percent from 2017, heard a conference in January 12.According to the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (LEFASO), the leather and footwear industry is expected to grow 5 percent from last year, with the localisation rate reaching 55 percent. Footwear and handbags will remain Vietnam’s top four and 10 exports, respectively.Addressing the event, LEFASO Vice President Phan Thi Thanh Xuan highlighted positive signs in the world’s economy and increasing consumption demand, saying that these create both favourable conditions and challenges to Vietnam in exports and investment.In order to help Vietnamese exporters realise the target, the association will actively participate in relevant policy making while luring foreign and domestic investment in support industry, thus increasing the … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 15/1
VNR launches luxury trains on North-South route
Six new “five-star” trains began running between HCM City and Hanoi on January 11 (Source: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – The Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) has launched six new high-quality trains on the Thong Nhat (North - South) route at Sai Gon Train Station. Vu Anh Minh, chairman of VNR, said on January 10 that the new trains were five-star quality and would meet passenger demand for transport during the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday. VNR has upgraded trains and stations and offered discount tickets. The new trains are expected to meet demand for quality services and conveniences, reducing the pressure on overcrowded roads. The six trains, which have a total of 90 carriages, include alert systems, displays of the next train station, temperature, and train speed. The trains have semi-automatic doors, power sockets, big corridors, eco-safe toilets, and quality air conditioning systems. Each carriage bed has a reading lamp and USB charger. A … [Read more...] about VNR launches luxury trains on North-South route