Deputy head of the Ha Noi Urban Planning and Development Association Dao Ngoc Nghiem speaks to Tien Phong (Vanguard) newspaper about a suitable architectural symbol for Ha Noi. Ha Noi has a long history of development with many ups and downs. Thang Long, the former name of Ha Noi, was chosen as Viet Nam's capital city in the 10th century and remained so until the Nguyen Dynasty in the 18th century. The Nguyen Kings moved the capital to Hue but Ha Noi was always considered to be a key part of Viet Nam. The French colony even wanted to make Ha Noi the capital of Indochina. During the American war, the city sustained heavy damage having already lost many cultural and religious constructions built under French rule. Ha Noi will celebrate its 1,000th anniversary this year, and as one of the most heavily populated capitals in the world, why does it not have an architectural icon? Ha Noi's area and population are quite large compared with other capitals. However, it must be mentioned that … [Read more...]
Opportunities for Vietnam to Develop Sustainable Cities
Opportunities for Vietnam to Develop Sustainable Cities With the most rapid urbanisation in Southeast Asia, Vietnam is facing numerous challenges arising from population explosion and rapid-developing cities. How to accelerate economic growth and ensure social balance is the major topic of a recent conference entitled “Sustainable Cities - Challenges and opportunities for Vietnam” held on July 10, 2012 in Hanoi by the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), the Ministry of Construction and Siemens Vietnam Company. Our planet is expected to have 550 cities with more than 1 million residents in each city by 2050. These cities will be the growth driving forces in the future and the rise of cities will bring development opportunities, jobs and prosperity for the society. Vietnam has many good preconditions and conditions for formation and development of sustainable cities. These pluses include its favourable geographical position, young population with abundant … [Read more...]
Vietnam Internet Forum discusses smart cities and social media
Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Pereric Hogberg speaking at the eventThe forum, organized for the first time in the capital, is a significant event marking 20 years since the introduction of Internet in Vietnam. The two-day event, co-hosted by the Embassy of Sweden in Vietnam and the Ministry of Information and Communications, seeks to provide a platform for exchanging views on how the Internet can foster development in ways that are sustainable and inclusive. In his speech at the opening ceremony, Swedish Ambassador to Vietnam Pereric Hogberg said the Internet has developed in ways we had never imagined and made a huge impact in Vietnam, Sweden and around the world. It has undeniably sparked innovation and entrepreneurship, created new forms of economic activity, and offered a renewed opportunity for citizens to be heard on a wide range of issues, and for governments to be more open, transparent and accountable. The growth of Internet in Vietnam during the last 20 years has … [Read more...]
ASEAN looks towards environmentally sustainable cities
The first East Asia Summit Environment Ministers Meeting, the 11th Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment, the 7th ASEAN+3 Environment Ministerial Meeting, and the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transboundary Haze Pollution, were hosted by Vietnam’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. The participating ministers acknowledged the efforts made by ASEAN member countries in preventing and controlling forest fires. They pledged to maintain preventive measures and proposed that international and regional partners support ASEAN’s initiatives to cope with forest fires. The ministers agreed to give priority to “environmentally sustainable cities” in environmental cooperation in the East Asian region, in order to address the challenges posed by rapidly growing urbanisation and other issues relating to climate change, energy and the environment. They shared experiences in urban planning, urban greenery, sewage treatment, water supplies, waste … [Read more...]
Sustainable Growth and Development
Sustainable Growth and Development Many countries worldwide have calculated and announced green GDP, in addition to standard GDP calculations, including China, Japan and Indonesia. With high economic growth rates in recent years, it’s high time for Vietnam to calculate and publicise its green GDP to assess the sustainability of its economy. Impressive growth rates Vietnam’s economy has attained impressive growth in 2007, with GDP up 8.48 per cent against 2006, ranking among the highest national economic growth rates in the region. According to an assessment by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), China’s economy grew 11.2 per cent in 2007, Vietnam’s 8.3 per cent, Singapore’s 7.5 per cent, the Philippines’ 6.6 per cent, Indonesia’s 6.2 per cent, Malaysia’s 5.6 per cent and Thailand’s 4 per cent. In 2007, the country reported total investment of VND461.9 trillion for social development, accounting for 40.4 per cent of GDP … [Read more...]
City gives priority to sustainable development and social welfare
Le Thanh Hai, Politburo Member and Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee, spoke to Vietnam News Agency about the city's achievements and its targets for 2015. Last year, HCM City attained several important achievements in various areas. Can you talk about the socio-economic achievements of the past year? Last year, HCM City passed several resolutions and conclusions of the Central Party Committee and the Politburo, National Assembly and the Government to control inflation, stabilise the macro-economy, maintain suitable economic growth and ensure social welfare. Thanks to the union of the city's party committee, administration and the people, who were dynamic and creative in overcoming difficulties, the city achieved several important results in various fields. In 2014, the city's GDP growth rate was 9.6 per cent. The economic growth rate was a positive one, as the GDP of each successive quarter was higher than the previous one. With a significant economic growth rate, the State … [Read more...]
Action plan on sustainable growth introduced
The plan aims to maintain economic growth; enforce social advancement and equality; protect the environment; effectively use natural resources; actively respond to climate change; support people to explore their untapped potential and enjoy development achievements; build a society of peace, prosperity, equality, civilization, and sustainability. Development goals The action plan set 17 Viet Nam’s sustainable development goals including (1) no poverty; (2) zero hunger; (3) good health and well-being; (4) quality education; (5) gender equality; (6) clean water and sanitation; (7) affordable and clean energy; (8) decent work and economic growth; (9) industry, innovation, and infrastructure; (10) reduced inequalities; (11) sustainable cities and communities; (12) responsible consumption and production; (13) climate action; (14) life below water; (15) life on land; (16) peace, justice, and strong instructions; (17) partnerships for the goals. Viet Nam set 115 specific goals in line … [Read more...]
Hosting Asian Games presents pros and cons
Next week: A four-day public holiday (National Liberation Day – April 30 and May Day) is upon us, and many people have already planned their trips to get away from the crowded, noisy cities and escape to faraway places with sun, sand and wind. According to tourism companies, two weeks before the holiday most domestic tours were full, and the cost of tours had increased by 30 per cent, while the prices of aeroplane and train tickets had doubled. Not to mention that, during the holiday, the cost of services at tourist destinations are expected to escalate to a neck-cutting level. As for anyone wishing to travel by themselves, it is difficult for them to book hotels because many hotel owners are refusing to take bookings before the peak of the holiday when they can charge much more. Tourists should also be prepared for overcrowded transportation and public spaces. Tell us your experiences if you have ever been on vacation during Viet Nam's public holidays. Have you enjoyed them or … [Read more...]
Deputy PM answers questions on economic growth and restructuring
VietNamNet Bridge – Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has declared that economic restructuring, especially of State groups and the banking system, has led to positive results for Viet Nam. Speaking at the 13th National Assembly's (NA) Q&A session on Friday, Phuc also pledged that critical measures would continue to be implemented to enhance the country's global standing. However, his view was not shared by all, with Nguyen Ba Thuyen of Lam Dong Province and Tran Du Lich of HCM City among several NA deputies to suggest that restructuring is taking place more slowly than expected. Phuc though defended the progress that had been made, citing the issuance of a government decree preventing ineffective public investment; the critical reform of nine commercial banks with better liquidation capability; and the equitisation of 16 top enterprises as examples of recent reform achievements. He stated that speedy reform was not realistic, as many factors beyond the Government's … [Read more...]
When women mean business, society thrives
Empowering female entrepreneurs is a no-brainer in the most important areas - employment generation and sustainable development; the evidence is that they are more responsible stewards, writes Thu Van.The sad, shocking sight of large amounts of dragonfruit being fed to cattle or left to rot on roadsides in many places smote her heart.Le Nguyen was also haunted by the fate of farmers in the southern province of Binh Thuan, a principal producer of dragon fruit in Viet Nam, as prices fell and they suffered huge losses in 2014 and 2015.She thought about ways to redeem the situation and ensure it would not be repeated. She came up with the idea of establishing a co-operative to buy dragonfruit at a stable and reasonable price from local farmers, and to make wine with it as an added value product.“I wanted to do this so that farmers wouldn’t have to sell their crops to traders at any price, or throw the fruit away, and of course I wanted to make a profitable product,” … [Read more...]