French Prime Minister Édouard Philippe strongly believes that Vietnam and his country should advance their ties in order to turn Hanoi into Paris’ partner of reference in Southeast Asia, given their current comprehensive cooperation. In an exclusive interview with Tuoi Tre News this week, the prime minister addresses a broad range of topics, from high-level exchange visits, trade, innovation, to culture, the French language, and history, on the occasion of his visit to Vietnam from November 2 to 4. PM Philippe did not forget to voice his expectation for the entry into force of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the EU, which he believed would ease flows of trade and bring benefits to both nations. The pact is waiting to be ratified in both Europe and Vietnam after having been adopted by the European Commission on October 17. One highlight of his stay in the Southeast Asian country is his visit to Dien Bien Phu, the old battlefield of the French … [Read more...] about France wants Vietnam to become partner of reference in Southeast Asia: PM Édouard Philippe
Best country in southeast asia
Vietnam FMCG sales growth second fastest in Southeast Asia
At 5.2 percent it was behind only the Philippines (8.7 percent), and the global average was only 3.4 percent. Nielsen said Vietnam’s retail landscape is undergoing a change because of rising consumer demand for frequent shopping trips for everyday needs. "We’ve been seeing solid growth in the convenience and mini-market channels across Southeast Asia for some time now, but over the past year or so that growth has really hit fever pitch," Vaughan Ryan, Nielsen’s managing director, Southeast Asia, said. Data released by Nielsen showed that Vietnamese shoppers made 4.5 trips a month to convenience stores last year, three times the number in 2010. "Consumers throughout the region are living increasingly fast-paced lives, and this lifestyle shift is driving increasing demand for on-the-go offerings," Ryan added. Local retailers are seeking to take advantage of the trend. Conglomerate Vingroup last week launched the first virtual store chain in the country, which allows … [Read more...] about Vietnam FMCG sales growth second fastest in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia GDP growth hit by trade war: report
Chart showing growth in Southeast Asia. ICEAW predicts that economic growth across the region will slow from 5.1 per cent in 2018 to 4.5 per cent in 2019 and remain unchanged in 2020. — Photo Courtesy ICEAW Viet Nam is an exception which has benefited from some trade diversion effects caused by the trade war, according to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales’ latest Economic Update: South-East Asia report. Nonetheless, ICAEW added, momentum in Viet Nam was expected to ease to 6.6 per cent in 2020 from 7 per cent in 2019, given weaker Chinese import demand and increased trade protectionism. Export-oriented economies had been the most impacted by the ongoing trade tensions, with Singapore only narrowly avoiding a technical recession in the third quarter. Economic growth across the region was expected to slow from 5.1 per cent in 2018 to 4.5 per cent in 2019 and remain unchanged in 2020 amid high risks of a re-escalation in trade tensions. Regional … [Read more...] about Southeast Asia GDP growth hit by trade war: report
Philippines hunts for possible new Islamic State ’emir’ in South East Asia
Philippine authorities were on the lookout on Monday for a Malaysian who could be the new leader of pro-Islamic State groups in Southeast Asia, security chiefs said, following the deaths of several high-profile regional extremists. The army terminated combat operations in southern Marawi two weeks ago after killing what it believed were the last remnants of a rebel alliance that held parts of the lakeside city for five months. Following the country's biggest security crisis in decades, troops have made significant gains in the week since they killed Isnilon Hapilon, a leader of the Abu Sayyaf group and anointed "emir" of Islamic State in Southeast Asia. His assumed deputy, Malaysian Mahmud Ahmad, was also believe killed, as was Omarkhayan Maute, a top operative in the alliance. "We are still looking for Amin Baco," Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said, describing the Malaysian as the likely new "successor as the emir of those terrorists". More than 1,100 people - mostly militants - … [Read more...] about Philippines hunts for possible new Islamic State ’emir’ in South East Asia
Eight Vietnam universities among Asia’s top 500
The country had seven universities in the list for 2018 and five in 2017. The annual listing is compiled by Britain's QS Quacquarelli Symonds, a global higher education company. On this year's list, Vietnam National University-Ho Chi Minh City climbed up one place from last year to 143rd on the annual ranking. Its sister institution, Vietnam National University, Hanoi branch, fell 23 places to 147th this year while Ton Duc Thang University in HCMC made a big jump from the 291-300 group last year to 207th. The Hanoi University of Science and Technology maintained last year’s ranking in the 261-270 group, while Can Tho University in the Mekong Delta dropped from the 351-400 group to the 401-450 group. Hue University and Da Nang University in central Vietnam were placed in the 451-500 group. Duy Tan University, one of 68 new universities to make its debut in this year’s ranking, is also in this group. The QS Asia 2020 rankings are based on 11 criteria: academic reputation, … [Read more...] about Eight Vietnam universities among Asia’s top 500