According to experts, the estimated $3 billion spent by Vietnamese people to purchase US residential property could have been transferred largely through illegitimate ways. The “Profile of International Activity in US Residential Real Estate” report by the US National Association of Realtors (NAR) showed that between April 2016 and March 2017, Vietnamese people spent up to $3 billion buying residential property in the US. Currently, money for buying real estate cannot be transferred through normal banking channels, which begs the question: how did these Vietnamese buyers transfer money abroad to buy real estate? According to Vietnam’s Law on Foreign Exchange Management of 2005 (amended in 2013), Vietnamese people can only transfer money overseas under prescribed circumstances, such as carrying a maximum of $5,000 or equivalent when going through border checkpoints. Additionally, … [Read more...]

GoBear Vietnam is to launch unsecured loan awareness page on website gobear.com/vn/campaign/vaytienmat. GoBear is Asia’s first and only metasearch engine in insurance and banking products The new awareness page from GoBear Vietnam provides users with a tool to quickly search for unsecured loan offers from professional finance companies in Vietnam, with simple procedures and rapid disbursement time. This tool is designed mainly to help unbanked users, who account for 70 per cent of Vietnam’s population, to save time and efforts when searching for unsecured loan offers that best fit their needs. On this occasion, Tran Nhat Khanh, GoBear Vietnam country director, said: “Unsecured loan is a feasible financial product for most Vietnamese users, especially those who are unbanked or being cash salaried. They cannot … [Read more...]

Several streets in Ho Chi Minh City’s District 8 have become severely degraded, posing a threat to commuter safety during the rainy season. Multiple roads in District 8 are now distorted with countless bumps and potholes posing immense challenges for local residents. According to the observation of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper reporters on Ta Quang Buu Street, dozens of potholes of various sizes can be spotted along a 200 meter section of the road. Following a downpour, these holes become filled with water. Aside from muddy water splashing in all directions whenever a motorbike runs over them, commuters can potentially stumble and fall if they do not pay enough attention. Some people have resorted to pushing their motorbikes through the degraded street as an extra precaution. While these ‘ponds’ pose obstacles for travelers, rainwater often flows from the street into homes … [Read more...]

Nguyen Quoc Ky, CEO of local tour organizer Vietravel, believes Vietnam’s current visa-free travel policy is insufficient and should be expanded to more countries. He explained his view in this piece sent to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. Vietnam’s international tourist arrivals have been growing steadily in recent years, averaging 11 percent growth per year. In 2016 alone, Vietnam received more than 10 million foreign visitors. This growth is positive only when considered in the context of Vietnam, but when compared to South Korea or Japan for instance, our growth is much slower. Where’s the bottleneck? Giving gifts to those who don’t really want it Many tourists complain that the visa rigmarole is one of the biggest drivers of not visiting a country. At present, Vietnam exempts visa for 22 countries and territories. However, many of these are countries that many Vietnamese have not … [Read more...]

Vietnam’s hotel segment continues to attract a great deal of capital to serve the booming tourism sector. General manager of Pullman Saigon Central Tony Chisholm said that Accor Hotels has plans to increase its current footprint of 26 hotels to 40-45 hotels by the end of 2019, half of which will be situated in resort locations. “We are changing our strategy to attract middle-income Vietnamese into our hotels. With rising disposable incomes, Vietnamese are increasingly choosing upscale hotels to experience international service and quality. Local tourists are now our third-ranking market segment, something we never thought would be possible 10 years ago,” Chisholm said. Tao Quang Nghe, chairman of Odyssea Hospitality, said that there is a growing trend among domestic guests to stay at upscale local and international hotels. For example, Muong Thanh Group has attracted many Vietnamese … [Read more...]

Mr. Liem required the Department of Transport to work with the city’s Steering Committee on Natural Resources Prevention, Search and Rescue, agencies and districts to survey areas highly prone to landslide and propose solutions to protect residents’ lives and properties. Before August 15, they should conduct surveys at 40 landslide spots, address problems while implementing counter landslide projects and put forward solutions to speed up their progress. In addition, Mr. Liem wanted them to suggest a scientific study plan to ensure the city’s proactivity in coping with landslide in following phases. The Department of Transport should work with its Inland Waterway Management Division to review the progress, capital, implementation mechanism and site clearance of 22 projects which the agency is investor. They should estimate reasons for behind schedule projects and report solutions to speed them up. At least three projects should be done … [Read more...]

Mr. Liem required the Department of Transport to work with the city’s Steering Committee on Natural Resources Prevention, Search and Rescue, agencies and districts to survey areas highly prone to landslide and propose solutions to protect residents’ lives and properties. Before August 15, they should conduct surveys at 40 landslide spots, address problems while implementing counter landslide projects and put forward solutions to speed up their progress. In addition, Mr. Liem wanted them to suggest a scientific study plan to ensure the city’s proactivity in coping with landslide in following phases. The Department of Transport should work with its Inland Waterway Management Division to review the progress, capital, implementation mechanism and site clearance of 22 projects which the agency is investor. They should estimate reasons for behind schedule projects and report solutions to speed them up. At least three projects should be done … [Read more...]

General manager of Pullman Saigon Central Tony Chisholm said that Accor Hotels has plans to increase its current footprint of 26 hotels to 40-45 hotels by the end of 2019, half of which will be situated in resort locations. “We are changing our strategy to attract middle-income Vietnamese into our hotels. With rising disposable incomes, Vietnamese are increasingly choosing upscale hotels to experience international service and quality. Local tourists are now our third-ranking market segment, something we never thought would be possible 10 years ago,” Chisholm said. Tao Quang Nghe, chairman of Odyssea Hospitality, said that there is a growing trend among domestic guests to stay at upscale local and international hotels. For example, Muong Thanh Group has attracted many Vietnamese guests to their premium hotels. In addition, Vietnam is striving to turn the … [Read more...]

A tropical depression in the East Vietnam Sea has developed into Storm Sonca and is heading toward north-central Vietnam. Typhoon Sonca was centered 150 kilometers southeast of China’s Hainan Island as of 4:00 am on Monday, according to the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting. The storm is expected to produce winds of 60 to 75km per hour and squalls of up to 100km an hour, traveling northwestward at a velocity of five kilometers per hour. In the next 24 to 48 hours, the typhoon is forecast to make landfall in provinces from Thanh Hoa to Quang Binh in north-central Vietnam before weakening into a tropical low. The weather system should remain in the region until Wednesday morning, packing winds of 40 to 60km per hour. Hoang Duc Cuong, director of the National Center for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting, said that they would be monitoring the storm closely this week. Under … [Read more...]

VietNamNet Bridge – Hue City has long allured travelers with its poetic Huong River, juicy street food, proud imperial city and untouched Lang Co Beach. Yet without Lap An Lagoon, a trip there is incomplete. A must see: Without Lap An Lagoon on their list, travellers miss a great part of the charming city of Hue. — Photos: Hong Van/VNS My friend and I traveled to Da Nang City in late June, and included Lap An Lagoon on our check list of things to do. We didn’t expect it would be such a highlight of the trip. We rented a motorbike and drove north from Da Nang. The route leading to the lagoon is easy to find and the road is not crowded. The route running through the Hai Van Tunnel is only about 30km. Yet I would recommend driving along the Hai Van Pass, which makes the route about 10km longer, We left the hotel at 7am, having … [Read more...]

NDO – The 46th meeting of ASEAN National Tourism Organisations (NTOs) opened in the northern province of Vinh Phuc on July 24, gathering over 100 delegates, leaders and officials from ASEAN tourism authorities, the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN Tourism Association. Speaking at the opening, head of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), Nguyen Van Tuan, affirmed that ASEAN holds great potential for tourism development. In 2016, the region recorded a record high of 113 million visitors, an increase of 7% compared to 2015. In 2016 Vietnam welcomed 10 million international visitors, an increase of 26%; in the first six months of 2017, the country has received 6.2 million arrivals, up 30% - an unprecedented growth in the number of international visitors to Vietnam. The ASEAN cooperation is especially important for tourism in Vietnam. Over the past few years, the ASEAN tourism markets have contributed approximately 15% of the total number of international … [Read more...]

As Vietnam boosts its industrial capacity and modernises, a critical need for new digital technology presents itself. Industry 4.0 will have a significant positive impact on local firms, and they can expect comprehensive, ongoing support from Siemens. Thanh Dat reports. As Industry 4.0 sweeps the globe, firms who do not embrace the new paradigm will fall behind Martin Hoppe, first counselor of Economic Co-operation and Development at the German Embassy in Vietnam, was pleased with the Siemens solutions showcased at the “Digital enterprise – on the way to Industry 4.0” conference in Hanoi last week. “I am happy that Siemens has presented us with their ideas of what Industry 4.0 can do. Trust me, I am very curious myself,” Hoppe said. The event was organised by Vietnam’s Ministry … [Read more...]

NDO - A Nhan Dan Online selection of notable events that made headlines over the past week. 1. Party General Secretary pays State visit to Cambodia Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and a delegation of high-ranking Vietnamese officials paid a State visit to Cambodia from July 20-22 at the invitation of Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni. During his stay in Cambodia, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong held talks with Cambodian King Nodorom Sihamoni, meetings with Vice President of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and President of the Senate of Cambodia Samdech Say Chhum, Honorary President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and President of the National Assembly Heng Samrin, and Cambodia’s Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen. He also attended an inauguration ceremony of the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Monument in Preah Sihanouk province. 2. Laos Vice President visits Vietnam General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) … [Read more...]

Nguyen Duc Chung, the chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, has dialed down a municipal ban on motorbikes that was set to take effect in Vietnam's capital by 2030, ruling out a blanket ban on the most popular mode of transport .  “The city will not ban but rather limit motorbikes in certain core areas of the downtown districts,” Chung said at a meeting with constituents on Monday. He said the city would increase the number of public buses from 1,000 to 1,500, and expand its metro system in the coming years to encourage public transportation. Chung made the statement after many members of the public questioned the feasibility and fairness of the motorbike ban, which the municipal legislature approved on July 4. Officials initially hailed the proposed ban as a breakthrough that would block motorbikes from downtown districts and other areas with adequate public transportation starting in 2030. The plan, which was nominally aimed at … [Read more...]

Hue City has long allured travelers with its poetic Huong River, juicy street food, proud imperial city and untouched Lang Co Beach. Yet without Lap An Lagoon, a trip there is incomplete. A must see: Without Lap An Lagoon on their list, travellers miss a great part of the charming city of Hue. - Photos: Hong Van/VNS My friend and I traveled to Da Nang City in late June, and included Lap An Lagoon on our check list of things to do. We didn’t expect it would be such a highlight of the trip. We rented a motorbike and drove north from Da Nang. The route leading to the lagoon is easy to find and the road is not crowded. The route running through the Hai Van Tunnel is only about 30km. Yet I would recommend driving along the Hai Van Pass, which makes the route about 10km longer. We left the hotel at 7am, having breakfasted on mi Quang (a signature noodle dish of Quang Nam Province), filling up on petrol … [Read more...]

The only Vietnamese member of a multinational team of adventure-seekers who went on a sled trip across the Scandinavian Arctic in April has recalled the experience and shared it with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper. Hoang Le Giang, 28, made local headlines late last year when he registered for the Fjällräven Polar voting contest, a competition that would award the winner an adventure to the Arctic. Giang came out on top in the contest thanks to the tremendous support from his fellow countrymen, as well as his impressive résumé as an experienced trekker with seven climbs in the Himalayas under his belt, having traveled to 30 different countries. Winning the contest gave Giang the once-in-a-lifetime chance to join 27 other adventurers from 15 different countries on a 300-kilometer sled trip across the Scandinavian Arctic, which lasted from April 3 to 8. A view in the Scandinavian Arctic. … [Read more...]

That is nearly a 50% increase over the number of Chinese outbound tourists for 2016, the report noted, adding that Hong Kong, Thailand, the Republic of Korea and Japan are the most-visited destinations. Vietnam was the 10th most visited country by Chinese tourists for 2016 after a policy change by the Chinese government loosened the requirements to allow increasing numbers to visit its southern neighbour. Other factors driving the spike in the Chinese tourist numbers included eased travel restrictions, a greater desire for experiencing diverse cultures and activities as well as a change in employment policies where workers are getting extra holiday time each year. The numbers of tourists crossing the China-Vietnam border in the first half of 2017 have continued to mount—increasing by 42% year-on-year to an estimated 4.66 million, according to the Xinhua News … [Read more...]

NDO/VNA – On July 23 more than 100 youngsters from Ho Chi Minh City travelled to Laos to undertake voluntary activities until August 5. The volunteers, who had been involved in the “Green Summer” and “Red Holiday” campaigns in the city, will tour Lao provinces of Attapeu, Champasak and Xiangkhouang, to do good deeds. They will support the building of two Vietnam-Laos youth friendship houses, coordinate with health workers to provide medical check-ups and treatment for poor people, transfer agricultural techniques, and present gifts to needy students. The youngsters are also expected to help with building playgrounds for children, guiding locals to use electricity economically and safely, improving the power system, and visiting contributors to the Vietnamese revolutionary cause in Laos. They will participate in a wide range of culture, sport and art activities with local youths and residents to study the … [Read more...]

The system was centered 150 kilometers southeast of Hainan Island, China at 7 a.m. this morning. Wind power near the center of the system reached level 7 moving 50-60 kilometers an hour. In the next 24 hours, the tropical depression is expected to move west at 5 kilometers an hour and might intensify into a typhoon tomorrow. The eye of the storm will locate south of the island. Wind power will increase to level 8 travelling 60-75 kilometers an hour. The typhoon will move west northwest at the same speed to locate 340 kilometers east southeast off the coast from Ha Tinh to Nam Dinh provinces on Tuesday. Under influence of the intensifying system, the northern, middle and southern parts of the East Sea comprising the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands have been rough and choppy. The water off provinces from Binh Thuan to Ca Mau, Ca Mau to Kien Giang and the Gulf of Tonkin have seen shower and thunderstorms. Another typhoon named Roke has … [Read more...]

BEIJING: Chelsea forward Pedro was taken to hospital with a possible concussion after colliding with Arsenal's goalkeeper during the Blues' 3-0 preseason win over their London rivals in Beijing on Saturday (Jul 22). Chelsea's Michy Batshuayi (23) scores against Arsenal during their football match in Beijing's National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, on Jul 22, 2017. (Photo: AFP/Greg Baker) The 29-year-old Spaniard was left reeling on the ground with a bloodied face inside the first half hour of the game after Colombian keeper David Ospina flew into him while clearing a long-ball with two fists. After receiving medical attention on the pitch for several minutes, Pedro got up and walked off with blood in his nose, lips and right ear. "For sure (he) should be okay but I think he had a concussion," Chelsea manager … [Read more...]