Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte (C) in his first visit to Vietnam on June 16-17, 2014 (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Elsbeth Akkerman has stated that the upcoming Vietnam visit by Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will affirm the importance of bilateral partnership between the two countries in a modern context. In an interview recently granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Akkerman said the Dutch PM will be accompanied by the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management; Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality; and over 100 businesspeople from 70 Dutch firms. Since the two countries established bilateral diplomatic ties in 1973, their key cooperation areas have covered agriculture, food security, water management, and climate change. She said the Dutch government has pledged to achieve sustainable development goals, especially in climate change. According to her, the two PMs will discuss the issue during their meetings. The … [Read more...] about Dutch ambassador: PM’s Vietnam visit highlights strategic partnership
European institute for gender equality
Global gender equality certificate improves competitiveness of businesses
Ha Thu Thanh, chairwoman of Vietnam Business Coaliation for Women's Empowerment According to McKinsey Global Institute, if women would take part in the global economy on an equal footing with men, the GDP of the globe would increase by $28 trillion by 2025. It is necessary to raise awareness and change people’s mindset. Particularly in Vietnam, commitments on gender equality are strong, but result in little to no specific action, especially at companies. In the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Gender Gap Index 2018, Vietnam ranked as Asia’s sixth most gender equal country. Meanwhile, according to audit company Deloitte Global, Vietnam ranks first in Asia in terms of female leadership in businesses with 17.6 per cent of board members, higher than the world average (15 per cent), while Japan and South Korea are at the bottom of the list with the ratio of 3.5 and 4.1 per cent, respectively. However, in fact, there is scant awareness of gender equality in … [Read more...] about Global gender equality certificate improves competitiveness of businesses
Social News 10/10
High-rise buildings are indispensable trend in Hanoi: Mayor Hanoi`s landscape has changed a lot with projects in urban areas, buildings and commercial centers. Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee Nguyen Duc Chung said at the meeting with voters on October 8 that it is indispensable to build high-rise works in the capital to meet rising demand for housing. The city's population has increased by 1.4 million over the past ten years, or 140,000 per year on average, to 7.6 million. Since May 2016, Hanoi has issued regulations on the construction of high-rise buildings in the inner city. Accordingly, height and density of all works built on roads are clearly defined, Chung added. In the past years, Hanoi has also focused on the management of planning and construction, including the rearrangement of construction inspection team. The percentage of buildings granted permits increased to 98.6%. As a result, violations of construction regulations in Hanoi have been reduced significantly, … [Read more...] about Social News 10/10
A dignified man during the day, flamboyant woman at night
The audience cheers yes as Ricardo Glencasa flounces into the room in a pink, flouncy dress. Every weekend, hundreds of people flock to a bar in District 1 in Saigon and enjoy performances by Drag Queens. When the applause fades in the glimmering light, Ricardo cannot hide the delight of an artist loved by his fans. In Vietnam since 2017, Ricardo works as an English teacher. He goes to class in formal vests and pants. But as the night falls, he dons gorgeous gowns, make-up and wigs to become a drag queen, theater slang for men dressed as women. Most drag queens are homosexual men, but many women and heterosexual people also use drag to unlease their creativity. "I was bullied by my friends during childhood, and as an adult, I was discriminated against by society for my difference. This is also what my family forbid me to do. But now on stage, I am loved for my own difference," Ricardo told VnExpress. Got caught early He has not forgotten the terrifying moments he experienced … [Read more...] about A dignified man during the day, flamboyant woman at night
Social News 28/9
Exhibition showcases artworks made from used plastic bags Australian artist Bianca Hoffrichter (L) and her top made from plastic bags, thread, and chocolate wrapper – PHOTO: COURTESY OF AUSTRALIAN EMBASSY HCMC successful in processing thermal grease A representative of SHTP Labs introduces DSA thermal grease at the launch ceremony on September 25 The Research Laboratories of Saigon High-Tech Park (SHTP Labs) on September 25 announced its success in researching and manufacturing thermal grease from carbon nanotubes and graphene used for electronic devices and LED lights. SHTP Labs rolled out the DSA thermal grease at a launch ceremony on September 25, marking a milestone in putting a product processed by the park into commercial service. This is the first facility in Vietnam to research, manufacture and sell this product successfully. The thermal grease contains carbon nanotubes and graphene that can be used to produce thermal interface materials for electronic devices, chips … [Read more...] about Social News 28/9
First university in VN rated four star under QS rankings
Ton Duc Thang University The TDTU is rated the maximum five stars in the categories of teaching (based on student feedback via national surveys, further study rate, and student faculty ratio), internationalization (proportion of international students and staff), facilities, and inclusiveness (covering accessibility, scholarships and bursaries, gender equality, and low-income outreach). The ranking is valid within three years from 2018-2021. Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL) Bui Van Cuong asserted that the VGCL always creates most favorable conditions for the TDTU to become a model for the nation’s higher education. The TDTU has been listed among top 250 universities on Sustainable Development in the UI Greenmetric World University Rankings and top ten research and educational institutions in Viet Nam based on the Web of … [Read more...] about First university in VN rated four star under QS rankings
First university in VN receiving 4 stars under QS rankings
Ton Duc Thang University The TDTU is rated the maximum five stars in the categories of teaching (based on student feedback via national surveys, further study rate, and student faculty ratio), internationalization (proportion of international students and staff), facilities, and inclusiveness (covering accessibility, scholarships and bursaries, gender equality, and low-income outreach). The ranking is valid within three years from 2018-2021. Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Viet Nam General Confederation of Labor (VGCL) Bui Van Cuong asserted that the VGCL always creates most favorable conditions for the TDTU to become a model for the nation’s higher education. The TDTU has been listed among top 250 universities on Sustainable Development in the UI Greenmetric World University Rankings and top ten research and educational institutions in Viet Nam based on the Web of … [Read more...] about First university in VN receiving 4 stars under QS rankings
Government News In Brief
Vietnam-India ties enjoy substantive development: Ambassador Vietnamese Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh The comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and India is enjoying dynamic and substantive development, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh. The ambassador granted an interview to the media on the Vietnam-India ties on the occasion of the 30th Diplomatic Conference to be held from August 12-17 in Hanoi. Ambassador Thanh said there are four outstanding points in the two countries’ relationship during the past two years. First of all, the bilateral political relationship and mutual trust have been strengthened thanks to the constant exchange of high-level visits. During the visits, the two countries have signed 17 more agreements on cooperation across the fields. Second, defence-security cooperation has reached the highest level ever, with its scope covering all military forces and the content expanded beyond … [Read more...] about Government News In Brief
Rainbow flag movements make inroads in Vietnamese
The rainbow colours, a widely-recognized symbol of LGBT people, have become popular among Vietnamese and it is not uncommon to see rainbow flags pinned to shirts and on car bumpers in the country. Rainbow colours have been popular among Vietnamese. (Photo: iSEE) It showed a tolerant attitude towards the once extremely sensitive issue in Vietnam -- sexual orientation as years ago, LGBT people wishing to come out always faced prejudice and discrimination from the public and even from their families. Rainbow, not only in sky Civil organizations have played a diverse role in the LGBT movement in Vietnam, helping it achieve remarkable advances in social acceptance. The Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment (iSEE) is among the pioneers. “Toi dong y” (I agree) campaign was the first large-scale event mobilising rights for LGBT people in Vietnam,” Director of the Institute for Studies of Society, Economy and Environment (iSEE) Luong Minh Ngoc told … [Read more...] about Rainbow flag movements make inroads in Vietnamese
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