Vietnamese Ambassador in the US Nguyen Quoc Dung (third from the right) receives the handover of illegally-obtained cultural artefacts originating from Vietnam from the FBI. (Photo: VNA) Washington (VNA) – A number of illegally-obtained cultural artefacts originating from Vietnam have been returned to the Southeast Asian nation by the US Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI ). The transfer took place at the Vietnamese Embassy in Washington last week in the presence of representatives from the US’s Department of State and Department of Homeland Security. According to FBI, the US agency took possession of more than 7,000 artefacts illegally acquired by an American citizen during an operation from 2013 – 2014. It is the largest single discovery of cultural property in FBI history. A year before his death, the man agreed to relinquish these items and wished to return them to their rightful owners. With the help of experts, the FBI has managed to identify several … [Read more...] about FBI hands over illegally-acquired cultural artefacts to Vietnam
Hand in hand preschool buffalo
Hanoi strengthens tourism cooperation with Central Key Economic Zone
Hanoi is committed to working closely and effectively with Ho Chi Minh City and the Central Key Economic Zone in tourism. The link between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Central Key Economic Zone [comprising five localities of Thua Thien - Hue, Danang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and Binh Dinh] is very important in the tourism development of those localities and the whole country. Nguyen Hong Minh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Tourism, emphasized the need for closer connection at the preliminary conference on tourism development linkage between Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and the five localities for 2021-2025 on August 8 in Quang Ngai Province. tourism in Hanoi and six cities and provinces have had positive results in the past time. Photo: Sun Group After two years of implementation, despite difficulties due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the city along with other provinces and cities has actively exchanged information, built new orientations in local … [Read more...] about Hanoi strengthens tourism cooperation with Central Key Economic Zone
North-Central-South tourism connectivity enhanced
At the conference In November 2020, leaders of the People’s Committees of seven localities signed an agreement on tourism development cooperation. The program will focus on state management of the tourism industry, the development of tourism human resources and tourist products, and tourism promotion. According to a report, seven cities and provinces received a total number of visitors of 17.7 million and earned VND63, 000 billion (US$2.7 billion) in tourism revenue in 2021. In the first six months of this year, the business outcome of tourism activities saw positive signs thanks to tourism reopening policies. The total number of tourists was estimated at around 32.9 million, including one million international visitors while the revenue from tourism was VND87, 900 (US$3.76 billion). Standing Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Quang Ngai Province, Tran Hoang Tuan speaks at the event. Speaking at the event, Standing Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of … [Read more...] about North-Central-South tourism connectivity enhanced
Huge transport investment expected to vitalise central regions
For over a month now, relevant personnel at the Ministry of Transport is busy with the final preparations to soon hand over Khanh Hoa-Buon Ma Thuot Expressway to the people’s committees of Khanh Hoa and Dak Lak provinces. In light of Decision No.17/QD-TTg dated July 28, two out of three components under Khanh Hoa-Buon Ma Thuot Expressway will be assigned to two localities having the road passage for management. The 32km-long first component with an estimated investment value of $244.8 million will be assigned to Khanh Hoa's People’s Committee while the 48km-long third component valued at around $282 million will be assigned to Dak Lak's People’s Committee. The 37.5km second component with a value reaching $426.8 million will be managed by the Ministry of Transport (MoT) as the road section lies in both localities and features complex terrain. Building a comprehensive highway network is one of the government priorities With more than 117.8km of total length, … [Read more...] about Huge transport investment expected to vitalise central regions
Communal house built for Mang ethnic people
Speaking at the event, Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Youth Federation Central Committee Nguyen Hai Minh called on youths and local people to join the “Footsteps for the community” program to raise fund for the construction of the communal house. He emphasized that participating in the event will not only help raise public health, but also uphold and promote the communal tradition of ethnic minority groups. The sixth stage of the “Footsteps for the community” program will take place from August 6 to 28 in 63 provinces and cities across the country. The program targets to mobilize at least 1 million km of walking/running, equivalent to a donation of VND 1 billion, to support the building of a communal house for the Mang ethnic people in Nam Pi commune, Nam Nhun district. The program is a practical and significant activity for the Vietnamese youths to contribute their part to raising the material and spiritual life of ethnic minority groups in Vietnam. On the occasion, the … [Read more...] about Communal house built for Mang ethnic people
Man gets nine-month flight ban after not paying smoking fine
Duong Van Thanh, 23, flew on the VJ134 flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi on June 29. Despite being warned by a flight attendant that it was a non-smoking flight, he continued to smoke, media reports said. When the plane landed in Hanoi, airport security apprehended Thanh and handed him over to the Northern Airports Authority, which said he has to pay a fine for his offense. The fine amount has not been revealed. According to regulations, those caught smoking on a plane may be fined up to VND5 million ($213.76). After Thanh failed to pay the fine by the deadline, the authority slapped a nine-month flight ban from August 10, 2022 to May 9, 2023. This means that Thanh cannot use domestic or international carriers for domestic or international flights from Vietnam during the ban period. Last month, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) requested the compilation of a list of troublemakers who regularly violate regulations so they can be banned from flying. The directive … [Read more...] about Man gets nine-month flight ban after not paying smoking fine
Are M&As still a top trend in the pharma market?
According to an update on Global M&A Industry Trend conducted by PwC, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, and healthcare services continue to attract high levels of investor interest, and this trend will continue through the rest of the year. Ngo Thanh Hai and Nguyen Dieu Quynh from LNT & Partners There are three main reasons that M&As in pharmaceuticals could still be the future trend in Vietnam. Firstly, in the face of growing demand and rapid technological innovation, pharmaceutical companies must continuously improve and develop their research and development departments before their patents expire. Therefore, they will be ambitious to acquire smaller companies with existing conditions. Secondly, to expand the business in Vietnam, the investors will need to consider opening a manufacturing plant or acquiring a current plant from domestic companies. Under World Trade Organization commitments, foreign investors can import but cannot distribute drugs to the … [Read more...] about Are M&As still a top trend in the pharma market?
HCM City commemorates 61st anniversary of AO disaster
A get-together was held by the Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin of Ho Chi Minh City on August 8 to commemorate the 61st anniversary of the AO disaster in Vietnam. Participants at the get-together (Photo: VNA) Addressing the event, Major General Tran Ngoc Tho, chairman of the association, thanked all-level authorities, sectors, and domestic and foreign organisations and individuals for joining hands with the association in supporting AO/dioxin victims in recent years He affirmed the Party and State have determined that overcoming the consequences of toxic chemicals used by the US troops during the war in Vietnam is an urgent and long-term issue that must be settled by party committees and administrations at all levels, officials, party members and organisations. The association has mobilised social resources to care for and assist AO victims and their families. So far this year, the association has collected over 9.6 billion VND … [Read more...] about HCM City commemorates 61st anniversary of AO disaster
Vietnamese man receives 9-month flight ban for failure to pay smoking fine
A man from Hai Duong Province, northern Vietnam was given a nine-month flight ban after he failed to pay a fine for smoking on a plane in late June. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) imposed a nine-month flight ban on 23-year-old Duong Van Thanh from Nam Sach District, Hai Duong Province. The ban is effective from August 10, 2022 to May 9, 2023. Thanh previously boarded flight VJ 134 from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi on June 29. He smoked a cigarette on the airplane even though the flight attendant informed that smoking was not allowed on the flight. After the plane landed, the flight crew handed Thanh over to the airport security unit, which later transferred the case to the Northern Airports Authority. On June 30, the Northern Airports Authority imposed a fine upon the passenger for his violation. Despite reminders from relevant authorities, Thanh did not comply with the decision and failed to pay the fine before the due date. The CAAV thus decided to … [Read more...] about Vietnamese man receives 9-month flight ban for failure to pay smoking fine
Thousands of resettlement apartments abandoned in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City
Thousands of apartments and land lots for the resettlement of residents in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have been left deserted for years, causing huge waste. While many laborers are in dire need of accommodations, solutions to these abandoned resettlement apartments and the resettlement in the future to prevent similar cases are needed. Abandonment and untidiness According to the Hanoi Department of Construction, the capital city is now home to nearly 18,000 resettlement apartments. Most of them have been sold and allocated for projects. Only over 400 units remain unused. However, in reality, thousands of these apartments are presently empty. Some projects with hundreds of apartments each are complete but their wastewater treatment and fire prevention and control systems have yet to be approved. Most of these projects are now degrading and facing a shortage of facilities, such as playgrounds for children, sport facilities, and parks. More than 3,700 … [Read more...] about Thousands of resettlement apartments abandoned in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City