Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said at a National Assembly meeting Monday that if Vietnam’s GDP increases by 6.7 percent this year, per capita GDP will reach $2,540, up $155, or 6.1 percent year-on-year, and 1.21 times that of 2015. However, this figure is still far away from the country’s target of $3,200-3,500 by 2020, he conceded. According to World Bank Group statistics, Vietnam's GDP per capita in 2017 is $2,343. The figure for Singapore is $57,714, Malaysia ($9,945), Thailand ($6,594), the Philippines ($2,989) and Myanmar ($1,298). Minister Dung estimated that Vietnam’s GDP would grow by 6.57 percent on average in the 2016-2018 period, meeting the National’s Assembly target of 6.5-6.7 percent growth. However, he expressed concerns about the increasing number of businesses that stopped operations in the first nine months of this year. While 96,610 new businesses opened, 73,100 closed, up 48 percent year-on-year. These figures worried … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s per capita GDP long way away from 2020 target
Far away far away
Ô Môi blossoms bitterly opened
Viet Nam News by Nguyên Chương Sunset light slanted down on the Ô Môi Creek in a dark, rosy colour, together with the loud sounds of wild birds and the nursery rhymes of the kids at play under the ô môi foliage at the entrance to the little canal stung the heart deeply. They all sang in chorus: In March ô môi trees are in bloom, fresh and rosy, Whom is Miss Miên still waiting for so long That her shoulder-length hair turns hoary? Whenever she heard that ditty, she slowly walked toward their place, eyes in tears. The youth in the rhyme was Quyết, a young soldier dispatched to the southern battlefield. * * * She knew that right then he was, from the other side of the creek, watching her with a heavy heart. Day after day, reaching home after work he hoped against hope to see her standing under the old tree, where the … [Read more...] about Ô Môi blossoms bitterly opened
Grab’s new incentives reward driver partners for far away pick ups
Ride-hailing company Grab Vietnam has launched a new incentive programme for driver partners who travel a long distance to pick up passengers. Grab Vietnam's new incentives encourage driver partners to receive more rides and offer better services to customers Grab Vietnam has officially launched the programme "Rewards for picking up passengers” in Ho Chi Minh City for driver partners who receive and complete trips in a certain time frame in certain areas. Accordingly, driver partners will get a monetary bonus for accepting far away pick-up locations, especially during peak hours. The incentive programme will encourage driver partners to get more rides quickly. Grab Vietnam will pay the bonus without affecting the fare or deducting it from driver partners’ commissions. Initially, the programme is applied to districts 1, 2, 3, 7, and Binh Thanh from 6AM to 8AM and 4PM to 7PM every day. According to Jerry Lim, country head of Grab Vietnam, the programme … [Read more...] about Grab’s new incentives reward driver partners for far away pick ups
Flowers make a difference
Viet Nam News Hải Hậu District is full of flowers. This is because people have been planting them to make their areas look nice. Along the flower-lined roads are interesting things, like pagodas, bridges and churches. Some of these are very old and historic. by Trần Mai Hưởng Our first glimpse of Hải Hậu District in the northern province of Nam Định was roadsides full of flowers. In recent years, the land along the inter-village roads in the coastal district has been planted with flowers—indicating that people have not only focused on surviving by building, fishing and raising rice, but also on beautifying their community. The total length of flower-filled roadsides in the district has reached more than 200km linking the communes of Hải Quang, Hải lộc, Hải Đông, Hải Bắc and Hải Vân. The idea was first launched by the Hải Hậu … [Read more...] about Flowers make a difference
One melody in memory of father
Viet Nam News by Lê Hoài Nam To meet Diễm, his ex-wife, Đổng went to a refreshment stall on the side of a street. A few minutes later, she turned up in a black Camry. Getting out, at first glance she seemed greatly displeased with his casual clothes. “You’ve come by bus, haven’t you?” she asked him in a contemptuous voice. “Pawned your motorbike?” she went on. Blushing with shame he replied, “I needed the money to wire a building for lighting and high-tech gadgets. I’ll get it back soon.” “Hmm, at the age of fifty, with a degree in electrical engineering, you should be ashamed of yourself for having pawned your terrible motorbike,” she mocked him. “It’s not a big deal, I’ll be sorted soon.” “Really? What did you want to see me for then? Not for money, eh?” “Certainly not! Have I ever borrowed anything from you?” … [Read more...] about One melody in memory of father
Authentic Indian far from home in Hanoi
VietNamNet Bridge – There’s something incredibly British about Indian food. It is, after all, the United Kingdom’s traditional dish. Super start: Aloo Tikki Chaat was first on the menu. At the last count, there were more than 10,000 Indian restaurants stretching the length and breadth of Britain bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars to the country’s economy. An Indian meal is as much a rite of passage for a young Brit as owning their first car, or tasting their first alcoholic drink. A night out and curry go together like poppadoms and chutney. You start off slow, maybe trying a Korma, but before too long the mild meals are nothing but a distant memory as you become more accustomed to spice. It’s tikkas and jalfrezis from now on, and before you know it, vindaloo. As a result of its ubiquity in the UK, Brits fancy themselves Indian food experts. In reality, our barometers for authenticity were honed not in Bombay but probably … [Read more...] about Authentic Indian far from home in Hanoi
Authentic Indian far from home in Hà Nội
Super start: Aloo Tikki Chaat was first on the menu. VNS Photo Việt Thanh Viet Nam News by Paul Kennedy There’s something incredibly British about Indian food. It is, after all, the United Kingdom’s traditional dish. At the last count, there were more than 10,000 Indian restaurants stretching the length and breadth of Britain bringing in hundreds of millions of dollars to the country’s economy. An Indian meal is as much a rite of passage for a young Brit as owning their first car, or tasting their first alcoholic drink. A night out and curry go together like poppadoms and chutney. You start off slow, maybe trying a Korma, but before too long the mild meals are nothing but a distant memory as you become more accustomed to spice. It’s tikkas and jalfrezis from now on, and before you know it, vindaloo. As a result of its ubiquity in the UK, Brits fancy themselves Indian food experts. In reality, our barometers for authenticity were honed not in … [Read more...] about Authentic Indian far from home in Hà Nội
Pulley system is deemed a bridge too far
In northern Điện Biên Province, in 2014, people from Sam Lang Village in Nà Hỳ Commune adopted an unusual and dangerous way to cross a swollen stream. The 100-metre trip is made by hopping into a large plastic bag and having it pulled by a strong swimmer in his shorts. Tòng Thị Minh, a kindergarten teacher from the village, filmed a scene showing teachers waiting by the side of the swift-flowing stream. They then take it in turns to climb into a bag until it covers them from head to toe. Male swimmers then haul the "baggage" through the turbulent waters. The residents, of course, try to stay calm during the trip because if the bags are torn on rocks, they face being swept away. Parents also use the bags to take their children to school. Residents dream of a suspension bridge, but construction could be costly because of the difficult terrain and muddy roads. According for Directorate for Roads of Việt Nam under Transport Ministry, this … [Read more...] about Pulley system is deemed a bridge too far
Vietnamese man with movement disorders becomes IT engineer
A Vietnamese man affected by a brain-related condition has overcome problems since his childhood to become an engineer in information technology. Nguyen Hoang Gia Bao, an alumnus of the University of Science and Technology in Da Nang City, experienced difficult times since being born in Quang Nam Province, central Vietnam. His mother passed away in a postnatal accident after giving birth to him, and his father died a few years later due to overwork. He lived with his uncle, Nguyen Bac Dau, who has acted as his father ever since. Bao was diagnosed with cerebral palsy – a collection of movement disorders caused by abnormal brain development. “Is life fair when having a child with cerebral palsy suffer from such a great loss,” said Dau, referring to the plight where Bao’s parents died. The disease consigned Bao, who is smart and loves learning, to a wheelchair and also affected his speech. He received help from many people to get education. Dau pushed him to … [Read more...] about Vietnamese man with movement disorders becomes IT engineer
Sparkling Dalat at night a different world from the day
Romantic Dalat City in the central highlands of Lam Dong boasts unique characteristics that lure visitors at night: quiet, balmy, yet vivid.When the sun sets, the wind brings cold air up through the hills and mountains while a thin mist coats the flowers and pine trees. Dalat becomes a different world at night than it is during the colourful day.Except for the streets in the city centre, many other roads quickly become quiet and deserted. The elegant villas which nestle under the pine hills also become mysterious in the dark.Although local people usually close their doors soon after the sunlight goes down, many visitors still like to wander on the quiet streets to get soak in the experience even further.Thanks to our guide from Dalat Travel Discovey, we were taken on a wonderful tour throughout the city. As a visitor from the crowded capital of Hanoi, we were overwhelmed by the crisp, fresh, cold air that Dalat offers at night.Our tour drove to Tran Phu Street to visit Con Ga Church, … [Read more...] about Sparkling Dalat at night a different world from the day