The sixth Regional Meeting of Smoke-free Cities in the Asia Pacific Region “Reshaping Tourism through Smoke-free Environment” has discussed how to promote smoke-free tourist environment, enhancing cooperation network and sharing experiences in carrying out the campaign. Standing Deputy Health Minister Professor Nguyen Viet Tien said that Vietnamese Ministry of Health and the Vietnam Fund for the Prevention of Tobacco Harms have built smoke-free tourist city in Hoi An city since 2009, and expanded to some other cities like Ha Long, Hue, Hai Phong, and Nha Trang. He added that in these cities, people at restaurants, hotels, tourist sites, offices, schools and hospitals are not allowed to smoke. Building a smoke-free tourism environment helps not only to create green and beautiful tourism images in foreign visitors’ eyes but also protect people’s health. According to Professor Tien, smoke harm prevention task is the top priority of the health sector in Vietnam and … [Read more...] about Vietnam develops smoke-free tourism cities
Vietnam development
Vietnam develops air routes to key markets
Vietnam’s key markets are the US, Russia, Germany, France, the UK, China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and India. Vietnam has no direct air routes to India or the US. Major international airports like Noi Bai, Da Nang, Nha Trang and Tan Son Nhat have been asked to expand their capacity and Cat Bi, Phu Bai, Can Tho and Phu Quoc need to upgrade their infrastructure.By 2020 Vietnam plans to open new air routes to Russia, the UK, and the Czech Republic. Vietnam Airlines and Air France signed a comprehensive cooperative joint venture agreement which took effect last November. Duong Tri Thanh, General Director of Vietnam Airlines says "The joint venture agreement is the most advanced and highest level of cooperation in aviation reflecting our commitment to increase benefits for customers. Vietnam Airlines and Air France have strengthened investment in the international markets, especially in France and Europe.”Vietnam Airlines has opened a … [Read more...] about Vietnam develops air routes to key markets
Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area promotes investment
Do Nhat Hoang, Director of the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, said Vietnam has so far invested US$3.6 billion in 113 projects in the area, including $1.6 billion in 48 projects in Cambodia and nearly $2 billion in 65 projects in Laos, mostly in agriculture and rubber production. Hoang asked relevant ministries and agencies in the three countries to refine legal regulations on business and investment, as also procedures regarding taxation, customs and labor, and prioritize transport infrastructure investment. Vietnam has so far invested US$2 billion in 65 projects in Laos, mostly Huynh Anh Minh, Vice Chairman of the Binh Phuoc People’s Committee, said that the Vietnamese provinces in the Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam (CLV) Development Triangle Area have received great attention from local businesses. So far, 37 Vietnamese enterprises have invested in projects worth over $1 billion in these provinces, with Binh Phuoc, attracting $148 … [Read more...] about Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area promotes investment
Japan pledges more money for Vietnam’s development in 2011
>> Japan helps Vietnam develop space industry >> PM meets Japanese parliament’s ODA official The Japanese government will provide JPY58.180 billion (USD703 million) for three major projects in Vietnam. The signing ceremony for the loan (Photo: baocongthuong.vn) This makes up part of the totall USD1.76 billion that Japan, the biggest bilateral donor to Vietnam, pledged to offer Vietnam in 2011 at the Consultative Group (CG) Meeting in Hanoi held in Hanoi last December.Under the agreement, signed in Hanoi, JPY29.852 billion (USD360.72 million), will be spent for Nghi Son thermoelectric plant in Thanh Hoa Province, JPY24.828 billion (USD300 million) go to to Nhat Tan Bridge in Hanoi and the rest will be devoted to a poverty reduction programme.According to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan considers Vietnam one of its most important partners in its development … [Read more...] about Japan pledges more money for Vietnam’s development in 2011
EU to help Vietnam develop tourism
Kenneth Atkinson, managing director of Grant Thornton Vietnam stated that the European Union plans to grant 11 million euros (USD 15 million) to help Vietnam develop its tourism sector. He said the EU will focus on issues like exemption of visas to Vietnam. Several Asian countries like Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore have exempted visas for international visitors and hence made it more convenient for a large number of visitors from the European Union. Visa exemption will help Vietnam attract more visitors as well. The five-year program aims to train tourism administration staff in environmentally and socially responsible tourism as well as policies, planning and management of tourism. Over 5,000 tourism sector workers from disadvantaged areas will be trained. According to a Grant Thornton survey, visitors from Europe hold 30 percent of the foreign tourist traffic in Vietnam, while Asian countries bring in 21 percent and the remaining come in from America and other countries. … [Read more...] about EU to help Vietnam develop tourism
FAO helps Vietnam develop green trading
FAO helps Vietnam develop green tradingBy Tu Phong – The Saigon Times DailyHCMC – The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has pledged a grant worth US$420,650 for Vietnam to develop green trading and increase rural people’s income, the Ministry of Agriculture said.Under the program, Phu Tho and Nghe An provinces will develop sericulture, grow rattan and bamboo to serve handicraft production.The grant will be also spent on collecting data about gender statistics and the income of handicraft makers in several selected provinces nationwide. The ministry has appointed the Northern Agriculture and Forestry Science Institute and the Institute of Policy and Strategy for Agricultural and Rural Development as project executing agencies. Previously, FAO has allocated US$500,000 for Vietnam to finance a study on shrimp disease outbreaks that have hit hard the Mekong Delta over the past two years and is projected to expand further to the central and northern … [Read more...] about FAO helps Vietnam develop green trading
Vietnam Development Forum focuses on productivity improvement
Vietnam Development Forum focuses on productivity improvementTu Giang HANOI - The Vietnam Development Forum (VDF) themed “Increasing Productivity - Leverage for Sustainable Development” was opened in Hanoi on December 13, with many experts pointing out that economic growth has been hampered by low productivity. Jointly held by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the World Bank, and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), VDF focuses on solutions for productivity improvement and industrial development in the context of the fourth industrial revolution, private sector development and promotion of integration. Vietnam has achieved significant achievements this year, with economic growth estimated at 6.7%. All 13 socio-economic targets assigned by the National Assembly have been met. However, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said Vietnam’s economic development has mainly depended on foreign investment, cheap labor and natural resources. … [Read more...] about Vietnam Development Forum focuses on productivity improvement
Vietnam Development Forum seeks ways to increase productivity
Domestic and foreign experts analyzed obstacles to increasing productivity in Vietnam and proposed specific solutions to enhance output, one measure of sustainable development and escaping the middle-income trap.Forum participants will discuss productivity growth, global trends and challenges for Vietnam, and ways to liberate productivity for Vietnam’s sustainable development. … [Read more...] about Vietnam Development Forum seeks ways to increase productivity
Vietnam Development Forum 2017: Leveraging productivity growth for sustainable development
Describing productivity improvement as crucial to Vietnam’s sustainable growth and economy, Dung hoped that development partners, firms and experts at home and abroad will suggest effective solutions to the government to enhance output.In his speech, World Bank Country Director in Vietnam Ousmane Dione said, he would like to congratulate the government on several important achievements of 2017. Vietnam has witnessed another year of robust growth and macroeconomic stability, marked low single-digit inflation, a relatively stable exchange rate, and a strengthening external position. In addition, he also very encouraged by progress in several areas of strategic reforms — business and administrative environment, banking sector, public investment as well as fiscal and debt management. In particular, he would like to congratulate the government for achieving an improvement of 14 ranks in the WBG Doing Business 2018 ranking. Reform implementation must keep this positive momentum, … [Read more...] about Vietnam Development Forum 2017: Leveraging productivity growth for sustainable development
Vietnam Development Forum seeks to increase productivity
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) At the event (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The VietnamDevelopment Forum, themed “Leveraging productivity growth for sustainabledevelopment”, was held in Hanoi on December 13. In his opening speech, Minister of Planningand Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said Vietnam achieved and surpassed 13socio-economic development goals set by the National Assembly this year. Grossdomestic product is estimated at 6.7 percent this year. Describing productivity improvement ascrucial to Vietnam’s sustainable growth and economy, Dung hoped thatdevelopment partners, firms and experts at home and abroad will suggesteffective solutions to the government to enhance output. World Bank Country Director in Vietnam OusmaneDione said improved productivity is significant to turning Vietnam into amiddle-income country till 2035. He lauded Vietnam’s growth over the pastfive years, adding that there remains room for the … [Read more...] about Vietnam Development Forum seeks to increase productivity