The lobby of OfficeHaus in Tan Phu District, HCM City. The city's office market recovers after two years being affected by COVID-19 pandemic. — Photo courtesy of OfficeHaus After a two-year slump due to COVID-19, the HCM City office for lease market is showing positive signs with demand increasing in all segments. A CBRE report said there was good recovery in the office market with total net absorption in the first quarter of 17,000 square metres (sq.m), equivalent to 32 per cent in 2021. Relocation accounted for 55 per cent of the transactions, lease renewal for 25 per cent and expansion for 20 per cent, it said. There were transactions for large areas in some high-quality grade B buildings in both the CBD and other hubs such as Thu Thiem new urban area, District 7 and District 10, the company said. Savills said demand for office space was 16,500sq.m compared to just 1,500sq.m in the fourth quarter of 2021. It partly attributed the increase to the city’s post-pandemic … [Read more...] about HCM City office market coming out of slump: property consultancies
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HCM City helicopter tours proposed
The HCM City Department of Tourism has proposed opening helicopter tours to see the city from above. Under the department’s recommendation sent to the municipal people’s committee, the helicopter service will operate until December with flights three days per week. Passengers on a helicopter tour in HCM City On the recent Reunification Day and May Day, the department co-operated with Military Hospital 175 and the Southern Vietnam Helicopter Company to pilot five helicopter tours carrying 80 passengers. More than 200 other passengers have also booked tours with HCM City’s travel firms. Many passengers expressed their interest in helicopter trips connecting HCM City and its districts of Can Gio and Cu Chi and the neighbouring province of Long And. However, helicopter services have to give way to civil flights. So the HCM City Department of Tourism is seeking municipal consideration to allow the Southern Vietnam Helicopter Company to run frequent helicopter tours … [Read more...] about HCM City helicopter tours proposed
Ministry tells HCM City to reconsider discriminatory customs fee
The vastly different seaport fees for businesses making their declaration in HCM City and elsewhere is causing frustration to many of them. — Photo vov.vn The Ministry of Finance has called on HCM City to reconsider its collection of customs declaration fee from businesses. It said the fee is discriminatory, citing complaints by import-export companies in Dong Nai Province that they have to pay double if they make declarations locally for goods they ship through HCM City. For goods declared in HCM City, the rates ranges from VND15,000 (US$0.65) to VND500,000, exactly half the rates of declarations made elsewhere. The ministry said the disparities have significant consequences for both enterprises and the economy. It urged the city People's Committee to soon ask the People's Council to amend the fees to create a level playing field for all businesses in accordance with the laws. Since April 1, the city has been collecting port infrastructure fees. For goods imported for … [Read more...] about Ministry tells HCM City to reconsider discriminatory customs fee
HCM City: Hot demand for air conditioners
Electronic goods shops and supermarkets in HCM City are offering big promotions on air conditioners, refrigerators and fans as hot temperatures have arrived earlier than usual this year. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) - Electronic goods shops and supermarkets in HCM City are offering big promotions on air conditioners , refrigerators and fans as the hot season approaches. Shops and supermarkets in HCM usually offer discounts of only 10 or 15 percent, but as the peak hot season is near, they are now discounting fans and air conditioners by 15 to 50 percent and offering free delivery and installation, as well as a zero percent interest rate on installment payments. A survey conducted at a number of large electronics stores such as Nguyen Kim and Thien Hoa found that demand for air conditioners and fans had skyrocketed with the onset of summer. Nguyen Trong Tuan, a representative of Nguyen Kim Electronic Appliance Centre, said the sales of air conditioners, refrigerators, … [Read more...] about HCM City: Hot demand for air conditioners
HCM City strengthens food quality control
People choose food products at a Saigon Co.op supermarket in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo To strengthen food safety, HCM City’s Food Safety and Hygiene Management Board will closely monitor foods sold by retailers to ensure customers buy products with clear origin. City authorities are also encouraging consumers to buy products with clear labels on origin. The board, the city Department of Industry and Trade, and supermarkets and convenience stores have been instructed to keep strict control over food quality. Pham Khanh Phong Lan, head of the board, said food production, processing, distribution, and import-export establishments would be closely monitored. "Consumers like to buy food at traditional markets because they may be cheaper" but some products lack clear origins, she said. "Upgrading food quality in traditional markets and enhancing modern distribution systems is essential." Enterprises must comply with food safety regulations, work with the board to carry out … [Read more...] about HCM City strengthens food quality control
South Korean and Japanese streets still quiet in HCM City
Many streets home to Japanese and South Korean restaurants and shops in HCM City are still quiet although the city has fully reopened after successfully containing the Covid-19 pandemic. A Japanese restaurant in District 1 While the Bui Vien Street in HCM City's District 1 which is a popular nightlife place for foreign tourists has quickly revived after local restaurants, bars and clubs were allowed to resume operation two months ago, some areas home to Japanese and South Korean communities in District 1 and District 7 remain quiet with many closed shops and restaurants. The Japanese area runs some 300 metres on Le Thanh Tong Street in District 1. Formed in the early 2000s with the openings of just a few Japanese restaurants, the street soon became busy with hundreds of restaurants, bars and massage venues serving Japanese foods and products until it was suspended for Covid-19 pandemic prevention activities in 2021. Since then, many shops have been closed … [Read more...] about South Korean and Japanese streets still quiet in HCM City
HCM City to offer fourth COVID-19 vaccine doses next week
Ho Chi Minh City is expected to start offering fourth doses of COVID-19 vaccines to residents next week, according to Nguyen Hoai Nam, deputy director of the Municipal Department of Health. Priority will be given to more than 1.8 million people aged 50 years or older, Nam said on May 13 while meeting with voters in Districts No7 and Nha Be. The fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot will mostly be administered to elderly and high-risk populations. These booster shots will also be given to people aged 18 years or older with moderate to severe immunodeficiency or belonging to a group at high risk of exposure to COVID-19 such as healthcare workers, frontline workers, and people working in industrial parks. The city will arrange mobile vaccination venues besides hospitals and injection sites. Vaccines to be used will be the Pfizer, Moderna and AstraZeneca. Several day ago the Ministry of Health requested localities to work out a vaccination plan for the fourth doses to be … [Read more...] about HCM City to offer fourth COVID-19 vaccine doses next week
HCM City, Bình Dương discuss improvement in traffic connectivity
National Highway No. 13 in Bình Dương Province. HCM City will work with the province to improve traffic infrastructure to boost connectivity between themselves. — Photo tuoitre.vn HCM CITY — HCM City and Bình Dương Province will work jointly on infrastructure projects to improve connectivity between them. At a meeting between their leaders on May 13, Nguyễn Văn Lợi, secretary of the Bình Dương Party Committee, said the province and HCM City have been working together to contribute to the southern key economic zone. “Infrastructure for connectivity between the two regions, especially roads and ports, is important. Bình Dương would like assistance from HCM City for important traffic projects.” Bình Dương wants the clearance of the city’s Bình Triệu 1 and Bình Phước 1 bridges increased, and adjustments made to road junctions connecting the two places. Phan Văn Mãi, chairman of the city People’s Committee, agreed with Bình Dương’s proposals and said relevant departments were … [Read more...] about HCM City, Bình Dương discuss improvement in traffic connectivity
HCM City troupe prepares summer shows for kids
The 5B Small Theatre, one of HCM City’s leading private theatres, will present a series of new plays for children every weekend this summer. — Photo courtesy of the theatre HCM CITY— The 5B Small Theatre is preparing to stage a series of new shows for children this summer that will acquaint them with folk stories, fairy tales and traditional culture. The shows presented by the first and leading private drama troupe in HCM City will enact old stories and characters from Vietnamese fairy tales set in traditional culture and lifestyles. The first production, Bộ Lạc Nanh Trắng (The Village), is about bravery, self-respect, honesty and friendship. It carries messages encouraging young people to work together and fight negativity. The production uses elements from the book series of Vietnamese fairy tales, Kho Tàng Truyện Cổ Tích Việt Nam (The Treasure of Vietnamese Fairy Tales), collected and rewritten by Nguyễn Đổng Chi, one of the country’s most popular cultural researchers. … [Read more...] about HCM City troupe prepares summer shows for kids
HCM City urges private sector to invest in geriatric care
Young volunteers visit the Thị Nghè Nursing Home for seniors in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo Hồng Giang HCM CITY — The private sector has an opportunity to build geriatric care facilities that provide good care for elderly people, given rising demand for such services, HCM City officials say. According to the municipal Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the need for nursing homes for the elderly will continue rising because of the nation’s rapidly ageing population. In Việt Nam, people above 60 years old accounted for over 12 per cent of the total population in 2020; and this is expected to rise to 20 per cent by 2038. The city now has 20 nursing homes, including eight public facilities looking after 1,555 elderly people, and 12 private ones taking care of 1,138 people. Nguyễn Văn Lâm, the department’s deputy director, said at a press meeting on Thursday that encouraging private investment in geriatric care was a necessity. Private nursing homes offer better … [Read more...] about HCM City urges private sector to invest in geriatric care