When introducing a familiar idea of ‘AuP – automatic parking search engine’, student Nguyen Phuong Linh of the University of Finance – Marketing did not expect much except the wish to pursue her own interest to help the city where she was learning and living. Her idea did not much impress the organizing board. What is more, there are many similar solutions on the market like Pakme, iParking, Park.vn. Therefore, when AuP was chosen as the winner of the whole contest, many people were left speechless. However, to Phuong Linh, the result was her deserved achievement after a lot of effort. Phuong Linh shared that “AuP has addressed the weaknesses of existing software on the market, which are unreasonable parking fee in many parking lots or irrational user ecosystems. Thanks to the advice of many experts, I have remake the development plan of AuP by integrating the process of charging parking fee into user accounts and increase the revenue for parking lots … [Read more...] about Final round of ‘Young startups for our dear city’ launched
Young state park
Coach Park Hang Seo: Vietnam’s football potential yet to be fully tapped
Vietnam’s football potential has yet to be fully tapped and the freshly-concluded 2018 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Championship where Vietnam claimed the silver medal is just a beginning, said U23 Vietnam’s head coach Park Hang Seo. Coach Park Hang SeoSpeaking at a press conference held by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) in Hanoi on January 29, Park said following the AFC U23 Championship, the squad’s coaching panel and the VFF will prepare for other tournaments such as Asian Games (ASIAD), ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) and 2019 AFC Championship. He used the occasion to thank the Party, State and relevant units for their support, as well as football lovers for their sentiments towards the squad. Asked about factors leading to the team’s success, the coach said apart from physical strength and tactics, solidarity, discipline and high determination contributed to the result, stressing that the players competed with the … [Read more...] about Coach Park Hang Seo: Vietnam’s football potential yet to be fully tapped
Vietnamese premier congratulates players on AFC U23 epic
Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has sent a letter to the national under-23 football team to congratulate them on their win over Iraq in the quarterfinals of the 2018 AFC U23 Championship in China. The victory over the Iraqis at Changshu Stadium on Saturday night earned Vietnam a ticket to the semifinals of the championship, where the team will face Qatar on January 23. Vietnam took the lead for two times before drawing 3-3 against Iraq after 120 minutes in the thrilling game. They continued to beat the Iraqis 5-3 in a tense penalty shootout. In his congratulatory letter, Prime Minister Phuc shared the joy with the Vietnamese U23 team as well as football fans across the Southeast Asian country. “With the will and courage of the Vietnamese people and under the leadership of coach Park Hang-seo, our team achieved victory over the Iraqi players,” the head of government stated. This is the first time the Vietnamese have made it to the last-four round at the … [Read more...] about Vietnamese premier congratulates players on AFC U23 epic
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
Mitsubishi Motors to invest $250 million in second factory in Vietnam
This was announced by Kozo Shiraji, Mitsubishi Motors' executive vice president, at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue on January 15.According to Shiraji, Vietnam is considered an important production hub as well as a potential consumption market for Mitsubishi Motors due to the young and increasingly skilled human resources.The second assembly facility has a designed capacity of 30,000-50,000 vehicles per year. The group plans to build the facility in an industrial park or economic zone which is near large-scale seaports having the capacity to transport large volumes of goods to both domestic and overseas destinations.Along with the second automobile assembly facility, Mitsubishi Motors signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the representative of the Vietnamese government under which they plan to explore the best way to promote the use of electric vehicles (EVs) in the country.Accordingly, Mitsubishi Motors will work with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) … [Read more...] about Mitsubishi Motors to invest $250 million in second factory in Vietnam
Social News 15/1
Small-scale coffee farmer gets helping handLò Thị Phong from Chiềng Chung Commune in Mai Sơn District in the mountain province of Sơn La, has cultivated coffee for more than 10 years on 5,000 square metres of land, but she still finds life difficult.A decade seems long enough to improve farmining practices by trial-and-error, however, according to the middle-aged Thái woman, “even now, we still cannot keep proper financial accounts”.During discussions hosted by CARE International last week, stakeholders in the mountain coffee industry touched on deeper obstacles facing the industry.CARE has worked in Việt Nam since 1989, concentrating on supporting rights and sustainable development among vulnerable groups, particularly remote ethnic communities, poor women and girls and people vulnerable to climate change.Nguyễn Vĩnh Đức, deputy director of the Sơn La branch of the Minh Tiến Coffee Export Joint Stock … [Read more...] about Social News 15/1
Mitsubishi Motors to build second plant in Vietnam
Vietnam welcomes Mitsubishi Motors’ plan to build its second plant in the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue while receiving the group’s Executive Vice President Kozo Shiraji in Hanoi on January 15. Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and Mitsubishi Motors Executive Vice President Kozo Shiraji (Source: VPG) At the reception, Hue highlighted cooperation in auto and support industries as a priority in Vietnam – Japan ties. Mitsubishi Motors’ expansion in Vietnam will contribute to the country’s industrialisation strategy within the framework of the Vietnam – Japan cooperation toward 2020, he said.Investing in Vietnam, the group will capitalise on local workforce and enjoy tariff incentives, Hue added, saying that if Vietnam raises its rate of locally made products to 40 percent, its exports to other ASEAN member states will enjoy zero tariff.Vietnam will create favorable conditions for Mitsubishi Motors to carry out its … [Read more...] about Mitsubishi Motors to build second plant in Vietnam
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
Out from the shadows
Two large black banners bearing the words “H&M Xin Chao” (Hello H&M) stand at the main gate of Vincom Mega Mall Royal City in Hanoi, catching the attention of passers-by despite the opening ceremony for the Swedish fashion brand’s outlet taking place last month. More than 2,000 people, mostly young, lined up at the time to receive promotional items and buy products. The image was similar to the launch of H&M’s outlet in Ho Chi Minh City in September, revealing the interest Vietnamese people have in the fashion brand. H&M was founded in Sweden in 1947 and is listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm. The H&M Group has more than 4,300 stores in 66 countries and territories, including franchises.“H&M considers Vietnam a potential market and this is the best time to make it the 68th market of the global H&M family,” said Mr. Fredrik Famm, H&M Managing Director of Southeast Asia. From Ericsson to H&MA decade or so … [Read more...] about Out from the shadows
Saigon sanitary workers fear gloomy Tet holiday over wage, bonus cuts
Workers of various public service companies across Ho Chi Minh City are looking to the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday with grief as their salaries have been slashed, while no bonuses are likely to be given.While Tet, Vietnam’s biggest public holiday, is only four weeks away, many sanitary workers have been dismissed or voluntarily quit their jobs as their employers failed to provide them with sufficient wages or cash bonuses.The director of a public service company said that nearly 60 workers have left over the last 12 months and the firm is struggling to find suitable replacement despite putting huge effort in recruitment.Le Van Luong, a seasoned sanitary worker, was fired by the Public Service Company of District 12 late last year, after 18 years working in the field.Luong’s company had to lay off half of its workforce since July 2017 as it received much fewer contracts.“The company still owes me nearly a year worth of social insurance and other allowances of … [Read more...] about Saigon sanitary workers fear gloomy Tet holiday over wage, bonus cuts