Hundreds of divers flock to the Han River and the Gulf of Da Nang in the eponymous city every day in search of a species of hard-shell clam gaining popularity on city restaurant menus. ‘Chip chip,’ a Vietnamese onomatopoeia for the chirping sounds of birds, is what local Vietnamese call these black-and-white hard-shell clams native to the Han River and the Gulf of Da Nang. Featured in a variety of Vietnamese dishes that go particularly well with cold beer, chip chips have earned their place in the stomachs of local residents and food-loving tourists, resulting in a boom in the ‘chip chip’ diving trade. As these clams normally hide themselves under muddy riverbeds, divers must submerge themselves by up to eight meters and use gloved hands in search of their prey. Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters hitched a ride on one merchant’s motorboat to witness first-hand the growing business happening day and night on the Han River. Under the scorching heat of the mid-July sun, … [Read more...] about Clam hunting in central Vietnam
Central maine power company
Phat Dat’s strategy to successfully acquire new real estate projects
In 2020, chairman Nguyen Van Dat appointed you as CEO of Phat Dat. Taking on this new responsibility, how did you feel back then? Throughout Phat Dat's 16-year history, the chairman and founder exerted his influence on every decision. In such a context, I found myself in a favourable situation thanks to the inherited strategic orientations from the chairman and the determined management team. Besides this, Phat Dat has embarked on an ambitious plan for 2019-2023 to restructure its investment portfolio, targeting billions USD in market cap and exceeding 50 per cent in compound growth rate. Growing up inside the organisation, I am enthusiastic about Phat Dat's development. My new task, which capitalises on the past achievements and simultaneously accompanies the chairman to write Phat Dat's further development, is really challenging. When I received the appointment decision, many thoughts crossed my mind. I immediately told myself that I must live well, grow strongly, and see … [Read more...] about Phat Dat’s strategy to successfully acquire new real estate projects
More British investors look at Vietnam to cash in on free trade agreements
Electric motorbikes manufactured by Vinfast. Many UK businesses are looking into electric mobility industry in Vietnamwhich is expected to grow by double digits in the next few years. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Many British investors are seeking investment opportunities in Vietnam in the hope of cashing in on free trade agreements ( FTA s) that Vietnam has signed with the UK and other economies worldwide. The UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), which officially took effect in May 2021, was one of the first trade deals inked by the UK after it left the European Union by the end of 2020, which reflected the importance of Vietnam in the UK’s trade policy. Bilateral trade and investment between the two economies have grown significantly with a growth rate of 17% last year. Data of the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment showed as of October 20, 2021, the UK had 439 valid projects amounting to nearly 4 billion USD in registered … [Read more...] about More British investors look at Vietnam to cash in on free trade agreements
☀️ Morning digest on August 18
Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a list of selected news summaries last night by the Vietnam News Agency. - Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has called for work to be accelerated to perfect the Party and political systems, socio-economic management, and the fight against corruption and negative behaviours. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA) Chairing the 22nd meeting of the central steering committee for corruption and behaviour prevention and control in Hanoi on August 17, Trong also requested the submission of regulations regarding power control to the Politburo for approval towards fighting corruption in inspection, supervision, Party discipline enforcement, audit, investigation, prosecution, trial and enforcement of judgments, law-building, use and management of public finances and assets, and press and media activities. Read full story - President Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said that Vietnam wants to cooperate with Israel in … [Read more...] about ☀️ Morning digest on August 18
Honda Vietnam surprised by introduction of ‘Honda’ electric motorcycles in Ho Chi Minh City
A launch ceremony for Honda-branded electric motorcycles took place in Ho Chi Minh City for two days this week without the knowledge of the Vietnamese unit of the Japanese automobile and motorcycle manufacturer, Honda Vietnam Company. The event, featuring the opportunity to test-drive what organizers claimed to be “genuine Honda electric motorcycles,” was held at the Culture Center on Cach Mang Thang Tam Street in District 3 on December 18 and 19. The introduction of these electric motorcycles caught the public’s attention and received shares on Facebook by people excited that the prominent Japanese automobile and motorcycle manufacturer, Honda Motor Company, was behind the show. The vehicles exhibited at the show were mainly small-size electric motorcycles advertised as having several modern features such as high-durability U-shaped motorcycle chassis, bodies made of new ABS plastic, and high water resistance. Their electric motorcycles only weighed about 82 kilograms and … [Read more...] about Honda Vietnam surprised by introduction of ‘Honda’ electric motorcycles in Ho Chi Minh City
Banks should tighten assessment control of their corporate bonds investments: experts
Illustrative image (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - Banks must tighten their assessment control of corporate bond investment s to avoid excessive risk and the misuse of funds raised by firms, experts said. In early April, the Banking Supervision Agency, under the State Bank of Vietnam ( SBV ) conducted an inspection of corporate bond investment activities at seven banks, while the Ministry of Finance inspected one bank. According to the SBV, by the end of 2021, there are 41 credit institutions holding 274 trillion VND (11.7 billion USD) of corporate bonds, of which more than 75% of them are held by ten major banks - Techcombank, MBBank, VP Bank , TPBank, BIDV, Vietcombank, VietinBank, HDBank, ABBank and SeABank. At some banks, the value of corporate bonds exceeds 10% of total assets. Although the inspection results were not published, a SBV senior leader said in an interview with Vietnam Investment Review that a number of credit institutions failed to accurately … [Read more...] about Banks should tighten assessment control of their corporate bonds investments: experts
Luxury sneakers may be a step too far for cash-strapped Gen Z
SHANGHAI/PARIS -- From $300 bucket hats to $900 sneakers and $700 t-shirts, the high-flying luxury sector is fretting over the appetite among financially stretched Gen Z consumers for such "aspirational" purchases. Executives are troubled in particular by a hit to young Chinese shoppers, not only because mainland China has been a major driver of the industry's growth in recent years, but also because high end consumers in the world's second-largest economy are a decade younger than the global average of 38. Young adults around the world have been "a very strong factor of luxury growth over the past decade," said Gregory Boutte, chief client and digital officer at Gucci-owner Kering. Data this week showed China's economy slowed unexpectedly, prompting a central bank rate cut, while macroeconomic trends are disproportionately impacting the extra funds that those born between 1996 and 2012 might use to enter the world of luxury. Whereas in North America and Europe, inflation and … [Read more...] about Luxury sneakers may be a step too far for cash-strapped Gen Z
PetroVietnam proposes 19-billion-USD petrochemical complex, oil storage project
A view of Nghi Son Petrochemical and Refinery Plant (Photo: baodautu.vn ) Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petro vietnam ) has proposed the Government invest in a petrochemical and refinery complex and national oil storage in Long Son oil and gas industrial park in Long Son commune, Vung Tau city in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, with a total investment of nearly 19 billion USD in two phases. The complex comprises two parts – a petrochemical and refinery plant project and a project to build a national storage for crude oil and petrol products. In the first phase, the petrochemical and refinery plant will have a capacity of processing 12-13 million tonnes of crude oil per year, along with 0.66 million tonnes of condensate, LPG and Ethane. The output of the plant will be 7-9 million tonnes of petroleum and 2-3 million tonnes of petrochemicals each year. In the second phase, the plant will receive additional investments to increase its output by 3-5 … [Read more...] about PetroVietnam proposes 19-billion-USD petrochemical complex, oil storage project
Quang Ninh revives OCOP product promotion to boost post-pandemic recovery
A store selling OCOP products in Quang Ninh. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The northern province of Quang Ninh now has more than 500 products developed by 189 companies, cooperatives and production facilities under the “ One Commune , One Product ” (OCOP) programme, local data shows. Of the total, 267 have been rated from three to five stars. Most of OCOP products win preference by customers and have gained a strong foothold in the market, with many now available in foreign countries. The COVID-19 pandemic has seriously disrupted production and supply chains, taking a heavy toll on the health of many OCOP producers, said Hoang Duc Kha, Deputy Director of the Industry and Trade Promotion and Development Centre under the provincial Department of Industry and Trade. He said Quang Ninh will selectively organise and attend trade promotion events in order to stimulate domestic demand post-pandemic and boost sales of OCOP products, reviving local enterprises. Kha highlighted … [Read more...] about Quang Ninh revives OCOP product promotion to boost post-pandemic recovery