Vietnamese Grandmaster Le Quang Liem . (Photo:sggp.org.vn) Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese Grandmaster Le Quang Liem has been back on the International Chess Federation (FIDE) standard chess ranking after two-year absence as he had not competed in this category internationally since 2020. Liem ranked 23rd with an Elo rating of 2,722, according the latest FIDE ranking released last week. The ranking was topped by Norwegian Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen with 2,864. Two other Vietnamese grandmasters Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son and his spouse Pham Le Thao Nguyen were also named in the ranking. Son, a standard chess champion at SEA Games 31, was placed 111th with Elo of 2,645 while Nguyen was in the 2,583th position with 2,369. Last month, Liem claimed the second place at the standard chess category of an international chess tournament in Czech Republic’s Prague. He will be in Switzerland for the Biel Chess Festival 2022 from July 10 – 25./. VNA … [Read more...] about GM Liem back on FIDE standard chess ranking
2021 sea games
Hanoi among Top 10 cities in Southeast Asia
Three major cities of Vietnam are distinguished with the annual prestigious awards of Travel & Leisure. The United States-based magazine Travel & Leisure has recently unveiled its 2022 Asia’s Best Awards with suggestions about the best travel destinations around the world. Accordingly, Hanoi, Danang, and Ho Chi Minh City are among the Top Ten “Best Cities in Southeast Asia” Hanoi- the thousand-year-old charming city President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi. Photo: Cao Anh Tuan Ranked fifth on the list of Travel & Leisure , the charming capital city of Vietnam- Hanoi is a must-see travel destination for foreign travelers to the country. The fact is that the city is very peaceful and very welcoming to foreigners. It has a low crime rate, great tropical weather, and is easy to balance work life and fun, according to Bill Noland, an Aussie digital nomad in Hanoi. “It takes me around VND10 million or $428 for a convenient accommodation … [Read more...] about Hanoi among Top 10 cities in Southeast Asia
European businesses positive about Vietnam’s prospects for green growth
The Business Climate Index is the leading indicator of the European business and investment community in Vietnam. European businesses in Vietnam expressed their positiveness about Vietnam’s prospects for green growth, according to the latest Business Climate Index (BCI) released by the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) and YouGov Vietnam. CEOs of European businesses gather an event in Ho Chi Minh City last April. Photo: EuroCham According to the BCI, nearly 80% of participants said their assessment of Vietnam’s green development potential improved from the first quarter of this year. About 44% of the respondents have good and excellent outlook regarding the potential for Vietnam’s green and sustainable development. Regarding the link between green growth and foreign-direct investment (FDI), nearly 90% of the respondents believed Vietnam should accelerate green sector development to attract more foreign investment. EuroCham Chairman Alain … [Read more...] about European businesses positive about Vietnam’s prospects for green growth
15th plenary conference of HCMC Party Committee to open on July 5
At the HCMC Party Committee's 13 th meeting (photo:SGGP) Tomorrow, the one-day conference will concentrate on the discussion and assessment of reports relating to implementation results of the socio-economic plan and the Party building work in the first six months of 2022, solutions that will be carried out in the second half of the year. According to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, in the first six months of the year, Ho Chi Minh City's socio-economy continued to recover strongly with V-shaped growth and it has been maintained stably. HCMC continues to well control the Covid-19 pandemic situation, consolidate the conducted health strategy, and associate the health strategy with other strategic activities and plans. Many cultural, literary and artistic activities brought pervasiveness, especially programs to celebrate public holidays. As for the diplomatic task, political security and social order and safety have continued to be maintained. In the first six months … [Read more...] about 15th plenary conference of HCMC Party Committee to open on July 5
Binh Phuoc posts nearly USD 700 million in H1 trade surplus
The administration said thanks to proactive moves to ensure material supply for manufacturing and diversify export markets, local businesses have maintained the strong recovery trend and enjoyed good exports growth. They exported over USD 1.95 billion worth of goods in H1, rising 23.26% from a year earlier and equivalent to 50.74% of this year’s target. Meanwhile, the import turnover stood at USD 1.26 billion. The People’s Committee noted though there remain difficulties in export markets and goods flows, thanks to the experience gained during the long social distancing period in 2021, businesses have gradually ensured material supply and kept supply chains uninterrupted, thus fulfilling export orders. Meanwhile, the index of industrial production increased 22% year on year in the six months, helping Binh Phuoc achieve a growth rate of 6.91% to rank second the southeastern region and 35th in Vietnam. In particular, the processing - manufacturing industry expanded by 23.4% and … [Read more...] about Binh Phuoc posts nearly USD 700 million in H1 trade surplus
☀ Morning digest on July 4
Hanoi, (VNA) - The following is a list of selected news summaries over the weekend by the Vietnam News Agency. – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered faster administration of the third and fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccine as part of measures against the unpredictable pandemic situation, especially when the sub-variant BA.5 has appeared in Vietnam and raised the risk of a new wave of coronavirus infections. According to the Government Office, to enhance pandemic control and create favourable conditions for socio-economic recovery and development, the Government leader has assigned Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam to continue directing the Ministry of Health, other ministries and sectors, and 63 provincial-level localities to drastically carry out anti-pandemic measures, especially accelerating COVID-19 vaccination. Read full story - National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue's visits to Hungary and the UK from June 26-30 concluded successfully, thus greatly promoting the … [Read more...] about ☀ Morning digest on July 4
Vietnam minister proposes making middle school free next year
Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son has proposed that education fees be waived for all public middle schools across the country. The education minister put forward the proposal during an online conference with central- and local-level leaders on Monday morning. Son expects that his proposal will benefit students from grade sixth to ninth starting the 2022-23 school year, which is set to begin in less than two months. He requested the education ministry’s sub-units to work with the Ministry of Finance on evaluating the impacts of the proposed tuition exemption and calculating the state budget needed for this plan. Such tuition exemption is not a new proposition of the Ministry of Education and Training. In 2016, the government assigned the ministry to coordinate with the finance ministry in drawing up a similar scheme with a specific timeline while prioritizing investments for kindergarten and elementary education. Vietnam has made elementary … [Read more...] about Vietnam minister proposes making middle school free next year
Lemongrass farmers benefitting from rising prices
Farmers transport lemongrass in Tan Phu Dong district. — Photo baotintuc.vn Lemongrass farmers in Tien Giang Province’s Tan Phu Dong District have gained huge profits thanks to a surge in crop prices. From the beginning of 2022, Tan Phu Dong farmers have seeded 2,000ha of lemongrass and harvested 11,250 tons of lemongrass, leading to profits of over VND50 million (US$2,150) for each hectare of lemongrass. Director of the Tan Phu Dong District’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nguyen Van Hai, said the district consists of a cluster of islands adjacent to the East Sea with harsh natural conditions, frequent drought and saltwater intrusion. Pham Van Binh in Phu Dong commune said that lemongrass is suitable for saline soil. He also said that growing lemongrass helped him escape poverty and build a sustainable business. Since the beginning of the year, the increase in lemongrass prices have helped farmers earn good income to overcome the effects of COVID-19 … [Read more...] about Lemongrass farmers benefitting from rising prices
HCM City to issue traceability codes for products
Scanning QR Traceable Code. — Photo baochinhphu.vn HCM City plans to issue a list of goods with traceability codes with a goal to have at least 50 per cent of businesses in multiple sectors, such as vegetables, livestock, food and medicine, be able to exchange data with the traceability code system in Viet Nam and the world. Nguyen Thi Kim Hue, deputy director of HCM City Department of Science and Technology, said that traceability is a matter that consumers have great concerns for besides a product’s standards and quality. By establishing traceability, businesses can better monitor the production and distribution of products. This will help with the competitiveness of the product and the businesses domestically and internationally. The city has also issued a plan to implement and manage goods traceability for the 2021-2025 period. — VNS … [Read more...] about HCM City to issue traceability codes for products
Tien Giang’s export turnover up 18.5% in H1
According to Acting Director of the provincial Department of Industry and Trade Dang Van Tuan, foreign-invested enterprises accounted for 80% of the province’s total export turnover. The province has so far attracted 326 projects with a total registered investment capital of VND 82.4 trillion (USD 3.5 billion), including 129 foreign-invested ones worth a combined USD 2.73 billion. Tuan attributed the export growth to attractive investment policies and timely assistance to enterprises along with the diversification of export markets. Local businesses have been also encouraged to expand exports to countries that are part of free trade agreements which Vietnam is a member of, he said, adding that the province will continue to strengthen trade promotion and facilitate the export of key agricultural products with competitive advantages such as rice, processed seafood and specialty fruits. Tuan also said that the province has set the target of an average export growth rate of 7-8% … [Read more...] about Tien Giang’s export turnover up 18.5% in H1