Rob West, 32, and Grant Bowdery, 41, from the U.K. and Marieke Dekkers, 39, from the Netherlands will begin a non-stop trail-running relay along the banks of the Red River in support of Newborns Vietnam on April 22. "We’re looking to be inspired by the innate will to live that all newborns have," Bowdery, a biology teacher and keen ultra-distance runner and cyclist, says. "We were drawn initially to the idea of three runners, 300 kilometers and 30 hours, but we felt that would be too much, especially in the second 150km, when the route gets quite hilly as we approach Lao Cai." The trio will now seek to maintain a pace of just over seven minutes per kilometer for 36 hours. "The significance of 36 hours comes from the concept of sunrise to sunset the next day, but we still think this is going to be very demanding," Bowdery says. "It’s far from a given that we will be able to complete the course in this time." Taking it in turns for one or two hours each (depending on how hot … [Read more...] about Expats to run 300km in 36 hours for newborns in Vietnam
Vietnam china border map
Trump vows to build border wall, warns Democrats against investigations
Trump vows to build border wall, warns Democrats against investigations U.S. President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., February 5, 2019 – PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - President Donald Trump vowed in his State of the Union speech on Tuesday to build a border wall that is a source of a deep partisan divide and said Democratic attempts at "ridiculous partisan investigations" could damage U.S. prosperity. Trump spoke in the chamber of the House of Representatives facing political discord over his demands that Democrats end their opposition to funding for a border wall he says is needed to stem illegal immigration and smuggled drugs. He called illegal immigration "an urgent national crisis," but stopped short of declaring a border emergency that would allow him to bypass Congress for wall funding. Instead, he urged Democrats and Republicans to find a compromise by a Feb. 15 … [Read more...] about Trump vows to build border wall, warns Democrats against investigations
ATF 2019 affirms Vietnam’s standing on regional and world stage: Minister
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) – The ASEAN Tourism Forum 2019 (ATF 2019) is taking place in Ha Long city, the northeastern province of Quang Ninh from January 14-18. Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien gave an exclusive interview to Vietnam News on the eve of the event. The following is the full text of the interview. Q: Can you tell us about the importance of the ASEAN Tourism Forum Vietnam 2019? A: Vietnam first hosted the ATF in 2009. Now it is back after 10 years, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long in the northeastern coastal province of Quang Ninh has been chosen to organise a series of activities for the event. This event plays significant political and socio-economic roles in the region as well as the world, and the host country can benefit from the event by attracting more foreign tourists. Tourism activities have become more vibrant, and business partners and investors have … [Read more...] about ATF 2019 affirms Vietnam’s standing on regional and world stage: Minister
Vietnam, China expand cooperation on border gate management
At the reception, the guest informed the host of outcomes of the previous meeting of the Vietnam-China Cooperation Committee for Management of Land Border Gates. He said that the two sides mapped out effective approaches to boost cooperation and coordination in immigration management as well as preventing and fighting smuggling and trade fraud. Both sides agreed several measures to support each other in implementing customs clearance procedures, improving the business environment of each side’ border gates, and upgrading facilities for exports activities, he added. Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh (R) and Zhang Guangzhi, Chairman of the Chinese Committee of Border Gate Management Cooperation In turn, the host highly valued the outcomes of the meeting and suggested the two sides continue expanding cooperation in border gates’ management, enhancing relationship, and building a smooth mechanism for the two sides’ commercial … [Read more...] about Vietnam, China expand cooperation on border gate management
BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF 31/10
Vietnamese food introduced in Hong Kong Visitors to the seventh Hong Kong Food Carnival, which is underway in Kwai Tsing district, Hong Kong (China), have shown interest in Vietnamese food. Products such as dried rice vermicelli, fish sauce, cashew nuts, dried longan and coffee have been introduced by Hanoi Trade Corporation (Hapro) and Hello-5 JSC. Of note, King Cashew Nut Ltd., Co. which represents Hapro in Hong Kong, has worked with the Vietnamese association in Hong Kong to open a booth featuring Vietnamese dishes at the event. Apart from Vietnam, the Southeast Asia section within the carnival also includes booths set up by Thailand and Malaysia. During the carnival, from October 27 to November 4, participating countries and territories are also putting on traditional art performances. Previously a biennially event, from this year on the Hong Kong Food Carnival will be held annually due to its increasing popularity. SCG's Q3 revenue in Vietnam up 18% … [Read more...] about BUSINESS NEWS IN BRIEF 31/10
Vietnam records 35 earthquakes from beginning of 2018
A map shows where an earthquake hit Cao Bang province on September 19. (Photo courtesy Institute of Geophysics) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has so far this year recorded 35 earthquakes measuring 2.5-4.5 on the Richter scale, according the Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Centre under the Institute of Geophysics. Most of these earthquakes occured in mountainous provinces bordering China and Laos, such as Quang Ninh Cao Bang, Son La, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Thua Thien-Hue, and Quang Nam. The latest quake, of 3.2 magnitude on the Richter scale, struck Hoa An district, northern Cao Bang province at 10pm of September 19. The tsunami warning centre is continuing to monitor this earthquake. Of the total 35 earthquakes that occurred from the beginning of 2018, 15 were reported in Bac Tra My and Nam Tra My districts, central Quang Nam province. However, these were small quakes that did not affect houses and people, the Institute of Geophysics said.-VNA … [Read more...] about Vietnam records 35 earthquakes from beginning of 2018
BUSINESS IN BRIEF 19/6
Nawaplastic still hungry for Binh Minh Plastic shares Owning a dominant stake in Binh Minh Plastic (BMP) did not quench Nawaplastic Industry Co., Ltd. (Nawaplastic)’s thirst for BMP shares. Most recently, Nawaplastic registered to buy an additional 1.17 million BMP shares to increase its holding to 44.525 million shares, equalling 54.39 per cent of the charter capital. The transaction is expected to occur between June18 and July16. The registered share volume is the remaining part of the 2.86 million shares that Nawaplastic failed to buy during previous transactions. Notably, Nawaplastic registered to buy 2.86 million BMP shares during transactions on May 14-June 12, however, the Thai investor ended up buying 1.69 million of the registered shares as BMP did not match Nawaplastic’s target price. BMP manufactures and trades civil and industrial products made of plastic and rubber. The company also designs, manufactures, and trades in plastic moulds for the casting industry; … [Read more...] about BUSINESS IN BRIEF 19/6
Peace talks ignite land buying frenzy along South Korea’s fortified border
With North Korea pledging to reduce tensions and renew ties with its southern neighbor, South Korea’s hottest property market is now along the heavily fortified border between the two countries. Demand for property in small towns and sparsely populated rural areas around the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is surging on expectations of an influx of people and investment. Kang Sung-wook, a 37-year old dentist in the South Korean border city of Paju, has bought eight separate lots of land in and around the DMZ since mid-March. Five were purchased without ever setting foot on them, using only Google Earth satellite photos and maps, as areas inside the DMZ cannot not be accessed by the public. Kang said buying interest jumped so sharply as relations between the former foes improved that he needed to move fast. “I was out looking since North Korea-U.S. summit news was announced in March, and it looked like all the good ones were gone already,” said Kang. “I realized then … [Read more...] about Peace talks ignite land buying frenzy along South Korea’s fortified border
Vietnam plans to build faster railway to China border
According to the project plans, the 391 kilometer railway linking Hai Phong city, Hanoi and Lao Cai province will have the global standard track gauge of 1,435mm instead of century-old gauge of 1,000mm common in Vietnam. The average speed for passenger trains can reach 160km per hour while the freight ones will run at about 90km per hour. Vietnam is considering building a new higher-speed rail route connecting Hanoi to the Northern border with China to boost two-way trade. Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn During a recent meeting on the planning for the new railway, which will run in parallel with the existing slow one with an average speed of 50km per hour, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Ngoc Dong said that it would play a key role in the socio-economic development of the localities it runs through, including Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Hung Yen, Hai Duong and the port city of Hai Phong. It was also expected to improve Vietnam’s international … [Read more...] about Vietnam plans to build faster railway to China border
First exhibition house on Vietnam’s sovereignty over Paracel islands
Situated on Hoang Sa road in Da Nang city’s Son Tra district, the exhibition house was inaugurated on March 28th, is 18 metres high, and was constructed on an area of nearly 1,300 square metres, using a capital of over VND43 billion.The flame – the signal of patriotism - is designed on the foundation of a national flag.Over 300 documents and exhibits are on show in the house, besides screens displaying documents on the country’s establishment of sovereignty and continuous administrative management since the Nguyen Dynasty. The documents are divided into 5 subjects throughout the history of the establishment, geographic position and Vietnam’s sovereignty over Paracel islands set in legal documents and maps which are circulated domestically and internationally.Historical witnesses who are directly on duty of protecting and meteorological measurements at Paracel islands.A letter marking the sacrifice of a Paracel martyr during the protection of national … [Read more...] about First exhibition house on Vietnam’s sovereignty over Paracel islands