Quang Binh to spend VND5 billion on new air serviceDao Loan A scenic view of the Trang An Eco-tourism Complex in Quang Binh Province - PHOTO: KHIET THANH HCMC – The government of Quang Binh Province has decided to offer VND5 billion in financial support for Vietnam’s low-cost carrier Jetstar Pacific Airlines in a bid to maintain the operation of a new air service to the province. The service connecting Dong Hoi, the capital city of Quang Binh, and Cat Bi International Airport in Thanh Hoa Province was launched on April 29. The route with three weekly flights has a flying time of one hour. Earlier, a tourism leader of the province told the Daily that the service has had an average seat occupancy rate of 60-65% since its launch. The local government has teamed up with Jetstar Pacific to launch its first international service linking its capital city and Chiang Mai, the largest city in northern Thailand, since August 11. The province … [Read more...] about Quang Binh to spend VND5 billion on new air service
HCMC
Convenient stores run for market share in HCM City
Businesses in HCMC have been rushing to open convenient stores, which now total 1,050 with the growth rate of 100 percent for the last three consecutive years, according to reports by the Department of Industry and Trade. Consumers purchase food at a convenient store in HCMC After owning over 100 Co.op Food stores mainly selling food, foodstuff, fresh and processed food and other essential commodities; Saigon Union of Trading Cooperatives (Saigon Co.op) has launched new model Co.op Smile specializing in groceries, cosmetics, garment items and food. The union is expected to develop about 200-300 Co.op Smile stores this year. Saigon Trading Group (Satra) now has 140 Satrafoods in HCMC and some provinces and cities. Vingroup has entered the field with 1,500 VinMart+ stores nationwide, quintuple the number at the end of 2015. Late born brand name MWG of Mobile World Company has had nearly 100 selling spots mostly … [Read more...] about Convenient stores run for market share in HCM City
‘Little Seoul’ in Saigon
Those with an insatiable desire to gain a deeper understanding on Korean culture and gastronomy but unable to afford a trip to the northeast Asian country should drop by the Sky Garden area in Phu My Hung urban area in HCMC’s District 7, which is often dubbed as “Little Seoul” in the heart of the city. A buslting sight at the Sky Garden area in Phu My Hung urban area in HCMC’s District 7 is captured in this photo Unlike the crazy and noisy atmosphere of other quarters for foreign communities in town like the backpackers’ area surrounded by Pham Ngu Lao, Bui Vien and De Tham streets in District 1, the Sky Garden which encompasses Pham Thai Buong, Pham Van Nghi and Nguyen Duc Canh streets in District 7 may give tourists a feeling of being lost in the quarter characterized by skyscrapers, high-end shopping malls along with a tranquil ambience and a modern and civilized … [Read more...] about ‘Little Seoul’ in Saigon
Ministries’ role faint in market orientation for businesses
Talking about the issue, Commercial Councilor Dao Tran Nhan, head of Vietnam Trade Office in Washington D.C, said that three months ago, the office advised food and beverage companies to reexamine their business codes before exporting to the US to suit FDA’s regulations. According to the recommendation, since 2017 FDA has changed verification method to grant new business codes and stipulated that after being chosen, representatives of Vietnamese production establishments in the US must send the administration a letter or document confirming that they agree to be the representatives. If FDA does not receive the letter or the document, representatives’ registration to the administration will be considered to be incomplete and business codes will be destroyed. Previously, the Vietnam Trade Office in the US continued advising Vietnamese businesses to re-register production establishments and representatives in the US with FDA in September 2012, September 2014 … [Read more...] about Ministries’ role faint in market orientation for businesses
Eyebrows raised after Chinese power plant contractor nominated to build Vietnam’s mega-airport
Questions are being asked about the expertise of a Chinese contractor that has been put forward to build what would be the largest airport in Vietnam. The Hanoi Export-Import Company, or Geleximco, has asked the government for permission to team up with Sunshine Kaidi New Energy Group Co., Ltd., a construction and engineering firm based in Wuhan, to build Long Thanh International Airport. The proposal has not received an official reply from the government because it has not even started the process of selecting investors and contractors for the multi-billion-dollar airport. But in Vietnam, where Chinese investors and builders are notorious for delayed, unsafe and costly projects, the proposal has already been met with public skepticism. The Chinese fim was established just 25 years ago, and virtually has no prior experience with airports. Bloomberg said the company “constructs power plants and offers electrical construction general contracting services”, … [Read more...] about Eyebrows raised after Chinese power plant contractor nominated to build Vietnam’s mega-airport
Travel expo comes back to HCM City
The International Travel Expo HCM City returns for the 13th time as the most established annual international travel trade event in the Mekong sub-region from September 7 to 9 at the Saigon Exhibition & Convention Centre. Themed “Your Gateway to Tourism in Asia,” the ITE HCMC is being held during the 50th Anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), said Ngô Hoài Chung, deputy director general of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. The number of international tourist arrivals to Vietnam rose year-on-year 35.1 per cent this month to reach more than 1.2 million. In the first eight months of this year, more than 8.47 million foreign tourists visited Viet Nam, a year-on-year increase of 29.7 per cent, Chung said. “This was serious growth. However, it is a tough task to achieve the target of receiving 13 million foreign tourist arrivals this … [Read more...] about Travel expo comes back to HCM City
New circular delays modern slaughterhouses
Some slaughterhouses in Cu Chi district is still just a construction ground (Photo: tuoitre.vn) HCM City (VNS/VNA) - A new circular issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has postponed the opening of modern slaughterhouses and delayed the closing of old facilities. In late August, contractors finished levelling ground for a 15 million USD slaughterhouse of An Ha LLC in Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City. However, Nguyen Thi Hong Tham, director of the An Ha Company, is worried that the construction of some important departments will be delayed while other facilities will need to be changed to adapt to standards regulated by the new circular. The company will have to adjust its design plan or move some departments to avoid violating the circular. “We have to move the factory away and upgrade animal shelters to fit regulations,” Tham … [Read more...] about New circular delays modern slaughterhouses
City Party Chief visits Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City
Mr. Horst Geicke, chairman of Deutsches Haus HCMC Co.Ltd, said that the 25 storey high class office building has won many awards in creativeness and energy saving. The 40,000 square meter building comprises high class offices, retail area, exhibition area, event &conference area and restaurants. The work will become a connection point for Germany and other European companies in Vietnam and the ASEAN region. According to Mr. Andreas Siegel, German Consul General to HCMC, Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City stands for the long good relationship between the Federal Republic of Germany and Vietnam. It will be a gathering place of German agencies in HCMC. Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan said that after being built, Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City would significantly contribute in boosting operations by the German Consulate General in HCMC to be more efficient, connecting German businesses and those from other countries especially Europe to HCMC. He appreciated the … [Read more...] about City Party Chief visits Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon police bust sex work ring aimed at foreigners
Police in Ho Chi Minh City have arrested two women for arranging sex services for men, chiefly foreigners, at hotels around the city. Nguyen Thuy Hang, 34, told police that she had been charging clients VND800,000 ($35) per session. Out of that she gave her partner Phan Nhu Phung VND300,000, before splitting the rest with the sex workers. Police have been tracking the ring for months and have identified around ten sex workers all aged under 25, local media reported. Officers raided a hotel on Pham Ngu Lao Street in District 1 on Monday and caught two members of the ring with clients. The girls are believed to have been working around the clock, mainly serving foreigners, and were transported to different hotels by two motorbike taxi drivers Hang had hired. Around 3,000 people are believed to be sex workers in Saigon, according to official data. The city has also seen an increase in male sex workers and the involvement of foreigners in the racket, as well as the … [Read more...] about Saigon police bust sex work ring aimed at foreigners
Over 700 businesses to attend Int’l Travel Expo HCM City
The ITE HCMC, which is a leading tourism event in the Mekong sub-region, is held annually by the HCM City People’s Committee and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. It is viewed as an opportunity for Vietnamese and foreign firms to introduce their tourism products and services. This year, with the theme “Your Gateway to Tourism in Asia”, there will be more than 300 booths, a rise of 15 percent compared to last year’s figure. A highlight of the event will be a programme designed especially for international buyers and the media, with the expected attendance of nearly 300 buyers and 40 reporters and bloggers from the UK, France, the Netherlands, Germany, India, New Zealand and Thailand, said Bui Ta Hoang Vu, Director of the HCM City Department of Tourism, at a press conference on August 30. An array of networking events will … [Read more...] about Over 700 businesses to attend Int’l Travel Expo HCM City