The Hanoitimes - From expansive caves to towering waterfalls, the countries of Southeast Asia truly demonstrate the power of Mother Nature. Vietnam among world’s friendliest countries Vietnam welcomes 1.5 million foreign visitors in January Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Phong Nha Cave, Son Doong Cave, the Sand Dunes of Mui Ne, Thac Ba Waterfalls have been named among 25 natural wonders in Southeast Asia you have to experience to believe, according to Fodors, a publisher of English language travel and tourism information and the first relatively professional producer of travel guidebooks. Ha Long Bay With around 2,000 islets sprawling across an indescribable landscape of almost 600 square miles, there’s no wonder Ha Long Bay was named one of the New Seven Natural Wonders of the World. Located in the northern coastal region of Vietnam, there are several junk-boats that offer daily and multi-day sails in Ha Long Bay with included excursions such as kayaking, cave … [Read more...] about Vietnam destinations among Southeast Asia’s natural wonders
Countries of southeast asia
Bronze drums of Southeast Asia discussed
Following his particular passion for bronze drums, French researcher Jacques de Guerny has travelled to many Southeast Asian countries, including China, Vietnam, and Indonesia. He recently held a seminar in Hanoi, sharing his knowledge and research on the history of bronze drums over the last 2,500 years. Jacques de Guerny said he is aware that he is at a disadvantage to other professional archaeologists, cultural experts and historians who entered the field at a much younger age. However, he still manages to astound his peers with his deep understanding of the role of the bronze drum in the lives of various cultures throughout Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. Jacques de Guerny’s book, “Bronze Drums of Southeast Asia”, was published in 2017. His previous work Buddhapada”, published in 2012, “examining the footprints of the Buddha and their symbolism over time.-VNA … [Read more...] about Bronze drums of Southeast Asia discussed
Navigating the murky waters of Southeast Asia’s offshore market
It has taken three years since 2014's fall in oil prices and protracted down cycle that saw the exit of oil majors from Southeast Asia and subsequent collapse of the value chain that left the oil & gas sector in disarray, for the region to finally begin seeing a notable uptick in new offshore project sanctioning. Underpinned by unprecedented levels of consumption, the Brent barrel continues to trade at around $70-75 and has prompted a swift recovery in the U.S. shale industry. However, longer cycle markets such as offshore haven't quite felt the impact of higher commodity prices, with jack-up and deepwater floating rig counts remaining in the doldrums with global utilisation currently at 62 percent and 54 percent respectively. In Asia, soaring demand for gas from China as part of the government's mandate to curb pollution and healthy economic growth across the region, has seen a well-documented shift towards offshore gas production. Over the past 12 months, improved oil & gas … [Read more...] about Navigating the murky waters of Southeast Asia’s offshore market
VN is Southeast Asia’s new industrial powerhouse
Viet Nam is Southeast Asia’s new industrial powerhouse. — Photo CafeLand.vn In the last 20 years Viet Nam has switched from being an agricultural economy to one of the brightest manufacturing hotspots in South East Asia, according to the latest report from Jones Lang LaSalle. “Viet Nam is establishing itself as the industrial powerhouse of Southeast Asia,” Stephen Wyatt, Việt Nam country head of the US property services company, said. “We expect the industrial market will enter a new phase and move up the value chain in the future, moving away from labour intensive to capital intensive.” In 1986 there was 335 hectares of land dedicated to industrial parks, and now the figure is 80,000ha. The report said: “This phenomenal growth can be attributed to Viet Nam establishing itself as an export-driven economy, dedicated industrial and economic zones, numerous free trade agreements, strong economic growth and a young, plentiful, low-cost … [Read more...] about VN is Southeast Asia’s new industrial powerhouse
Mobile payment firms struggle to dethrone cash in Southeast Asia
Bui Mai Phuong is an avid online shopper, ordering anything from clothing to personal-care products from her smartphone. But she prefers to pay with cash. She is among hundreds of millions of people whom firms such as Softbank Group-backed Grab and China’s Tencent want to win over as they try to tap into Southeast Asia’s burgeoning internet sector. More than 70 percent of the region’s 600 million-plus people do not use banks - higher than the global average of about 30 percent - and e-commerce is projected to hit $88 billion by 2025. But convincing consumers like Phuong, who lives in Hanoi, could be tricky. “I have never tried using mobile payments because I don’t know how to use it and it seems a bit complicated to use,” said Phuong, 36, a manager at a construction material supplier in Vietnam. Mobile payments are ubiquitous in China; a consumer can spend a day without using cash at all in Beijing or Shanghai, and even some beggars accept mobile … [Read more...] about Mobile payment firms struggle to dethrone cash in Southeast Asia