Most open minded cities

Editor’s note: Jordy Comes Alive, from the U.S., has lived in Ho Chi Minh City for three years and become a big fan of local food after spending time wandering around local alleys and markets to discover the culinary scene. His piece has been titled, subtitled, and edited by Tuoi Tre News . I’ve noticed people can get a little jumpy when you talk about eating frogs. Not me though, I always leap at the opportunity. When it comes to eating frog, I’m mainly familiar with it being batter-fried like chicken. Truth be told and I know this sounds strange to some but I honestly prefer fried frog over fried chicken on any given day. Enjoying fried frog is the same kind of eating sensation as with fried chicken, only the meat has a cleaner taste (sans the flavor of fowl), and the white frog flesh is juicy with a buttery finish. 'Water chicken,' as funny as the term is, croaks partially true. I started thinking maybe it’s time I paddle my way to other ponds to broaden my … [Read more...] about ‘Ech’ an unFROGgettable experience in Ho Chi Minh City

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (centre) and other delegates cut the ribbon to open the Tan Thuan CMC Data Centre on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo The Tan Thuan CMC Data Centre, considered the most modern and safest data centre and cloud computing infrastructure facility in Viet Nam, officially opened on Monday. With investment of VND1.5 trillion (US$64 million) from the CMC technology group, the centre covers 13,000 sq.m at Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone in District 7, HCM City. It was designed by B-Barcelona of Singapore and meets strict international standards for a modern data centre. Addressing the opening ceremony, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc repeated the goal of developing HCM City into a high-quality service, modern technology, and advanced cultural hub that can take the lead in developing the digital economy and society. To that end, the direct engagement of strong, visionary and enthusiastic tech companies like CMC was highly important, he said, calling on businesses to … [Read more...] about Leading data centre opens in Viet Nam

Illustrative image. (Photo: SGGP) In mid-August, preparation activities for the new school year contributed to an increase in the consumer price index (CPI) in the third quarter, helping to keep a strong and stable growth in the service and retail sales sectors of Ho Chi Minh City. The policy of not increasing hospital fees and tuitions until the end of 2022, even becoming a pioneer in supporting and implementing the proposal of the Ministry of Education and Training in exempting and reducing tuitions, is an important orientation. On the one hand, the city strives to achieve the key goal of stabilizing the CPI. On the other hand, it strengthens the price stabilization of goods for the new school year and essential items of the food and foodstuff group as a practical move to share the burden with people and parents. The total retail sales of consumer goods and services in the city in July increased by 1.4 percent compared to the previous month and 139.8 percent compared to the … [Read more...] about HCMC with upward, downward trends

The city is keen to avoid any Covid-19 impacts that could derail its plan for socio-economic recovery for this year. The Hanoi People's Committee has urged local agencies to remain vigilant against the Covid-19 pandemic and accelerate the disbursement of public funds, seen as a key task for socio-economic recovery for the rest of the year. Electronics production at Rhythm Precision Vietnam, Soc Son District, Hanoi. Photo: Pham Hung Among the key tasks, the city would focus on the Covid-19 vaccine roll-out by providing boosters for eligible people, including the completion of vaccination for children aged 5-12 before September 2022, noted the municipal People’s Committee in a directive. The city’s authorities reiterated public investment is a key task for economic development and considered pubic fund disbursement a key criterion to evaluate the performance of each agency, department, and unit by year-end, especially leaders and senior officials. “Efforts … [Read more...] about Hanoi boosts socio-economic growth, but remains vigilant against Covid-19

When Vu Ngoc Minh Ha and her husband leave home in Tay Ho District at 7 a.m. for work, they take their samoyed dog named Xe Dap (Bicycle) with them and drop him off at a doggy day care on nearby Dang Thai Mai Street. They pick him up on their way home in the evening. For the past three years Ha, 27, has been entrusting Xe Dap to the center from Monday to Friday every week. "We don't want to leave our dog at home alone because we are afraid he will be lonely without anyone to play with or destroy furniture," she says. While the monthly fee is high enough at VND4 million, the couple pay extra for him to be fed extra meals and given spa treatments and other services. They typically spend VND10-12 million (US$427-512.89) on the animal each month. Bicycle (white with a red scarf) plays with other dogs at a dog day care on Dang Thai Mai Street in Hanoi's Tay Ho district in early 2022. Photo courtesy of Ha Day care services for pets work similarly to children’s … [Read more...] about Hanoians happy to spend big bucks on pet day care

Nguyen Thi Anh Hoa, Director of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, speaks at the press brief This year's fair with the theme ‘Standing Together, Going Up’ - Growing Forward Together, will take place from September 8 to 10 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 7. According to the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism, the tourism sector will take full advantage of the golden time of tourism recovery, in addition to participation in international tourism fairs in other countries, Vietnam’s tourism will be introduced at big fairs and forums. ITE HCMC is one of the two largest annual international travel fairs in Vietnam and an important annual tourism fair in the lower Mekong region, playing a role as a bridge between domestic businesses and businesses. buyers as well as international visitors. Currently, 150 international participants from 18 countries and regions namely the US, Australia, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, … [Read more...] about HCMC International Tourism Fair expected to attract 22,000 visitors

The center will provide logistics and e-commerce services in the capital city and the northern region of Vietnam. A transportation and logistics center and a cross belt automatic sorting system were launched by Vietnam Post on August 15 in Me Linh District, on the outskirts of Hanoi. Vietnam Post's cross belt automatic sorting system. Photo: Vietnam Post The 28,000 m2 center is expected to facilitate goods circulation as well as international mail and postal shipment exchange for 21 northern provinces and cities. This is an important infrastructure in providing logistics and e-commerce services in the Northern region and Hanoi, meeting the needs of Vietnam Post, the Vietnamese postal service provider, and the diverse requirements of customers in the context of the growing e-commerce scene. The cross belt automatic sorting system at the center ha s a capacity of more than 24,000 packages per hour. With the application of artificial intelligence, the … [Read more...] about Hanoi has new transportation and logistics center

Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a list of selected news summaries last night by the Vietnam News Agency . - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested Qatar step up investment cooperation with Vietnam in infrastructure development, oil, renewable energy, green technology and digital transformation while hosting visiting Qatari Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani on August 15. Qatari Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani pays a courtesy call to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 15. (Photo: VNA) PM Chinh highly spoke of the progress the two countries have made in their multifaceted partnership and active mutual support at multilateral forums. Congratulating Qatar on the signing of the instrument of accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) of ASEAN, the PM said Vietnam backs a close, effective and comprehensive cooperation between ASEAN and Qatar. Read full story - … [Read more...] about ☀️ Morning digest August 16

Techcombank managers share information about Techcombank Aspire, a financial brand targeting the Why Not? Generation at a ceremony in HCM City on August 15. — VNS Photo Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Techcombank) has launched Techcombank Aspire, the first financial brand dedicated to the ‘Why Not?’ Generation of customers. According to Techcombank, the Why Not? Generation is a young population that believes in the future, is ambitious and often asks the question now appended to its name to overcome self-limitations and the pressure of family expectations to assert itself in the way it wants. Darren Buckley, head of retail banking at Techcombank, said: “We always strive to pioneer a simple, intuitive banking experience with features that help customers actively manage and grow their assets easily and seamlessly. Techcombank Aspire is tailored to meet the needs of users at all stages. We do not advise young people 'doing this way you will save more money'; … [Read more...] about Techcombank Aspire targeting Why Not? Generation launched

The Military Medical Relay Race event was opened at the complex training ground of S. M. Kirov Military Academy in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Apart from participating contingents, the ceremony saw the presence of delegates from the Government of Russia, Saint Petersburg, and the Russian Department of Military Medicine. The organization of the Military Medical Relay Race event aims to improve military medical forces’ skills in terms of treatment, giving first aid, and transporting injured people. Just eight out of fifteen contingents from countries and territories will compete in all contents of this year’s event. They are from Russia, Belarus, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zimbabwe, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Myanmar. The same day, at Brest Fortress in Brest city, Belarus, the “Confident Reception” event was kick-started. As envisaged, the competition will take place from August 16-24. The awarding and closing ceremony will be on August 28. This year, the Signal Contingent of the … [Read more...] about Army Games 2022: “Military Medical Relay Race” and “Confident Reception” events start