If Vietnam successfully controls the export of the products which have the input materials reliant on foreign sources, restructures the industries and markets, it will be able to reduce the trade deficit with China, according to Dr Dinh Van Thanh, Director of the Trade Research Institute under the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Many experts say that Vietnam’s export growth is unsustainable. What do you think about it? Our high priority goal in recent years is to increase exports as much as possible, using export as the driving force for the growth and the job generation. Vietnam strives to have the growth rate in 2001-2010 double the GDP growth rate. In reality, the GDP growth rate was 8 percent, and the export growth rate was nearly 19 percent. As such, the export growth rate target was attainable. However, another target - which is also a very important goal – balancing the trade by 2010, was not reachable. Meanwhile, the trade deficit has been increasing … [Read more...]

Vietnam should target a lower economic growth rate of 6.5 percent instead of the 7 percent detailed in the five-year socio-economic development plan (2011-2015). The warning was made by ambassadors and representatives from international organizations at a seminar held by the Ministry of Planning and Investment in Hanoi on October 4. Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Cao Viet Sinh said that the main goals of the draft socio-economic development plan are to give priority to curbing inflation, stabilizing macro-economy and maintaining a reasonable rate of economic growth. Especially, there are two economic scenarios. In the first scenario, it is forecast that the economic growth rate for 2012 will stand at 6.5 percent. In the second scenario, economic growth is expected to reach 6.5 percent by 2012. However, between 2013 and 2015, the rate will increase to 7 percent when the world’s economic difficulties should have subsided and with Vietnam’s inflation … [Read more...]

With its rich culinary heritage and an exciting street food scene, Hanoi is a wonderful city for many delicious dishes. They say that the way to man’s heart is through his stomach; cook him a good meal and he’s putty in your hands. I’d argue that somewhat similarly, residents of Hanoi are happiest at mealtimes, and many visitors fall in love with the city because of its incredible food. It’s a place that gets to you through the stomach! For foreign guests and residents, if you want to understand Hanoi and its people, I’d argue that you have to understand the cuisine and enjoy discovering new foods. If you love food, you will love Hanoi; understand how people eat, and you’ll understand their nature. Vietnamese people love to share a meal. Solitude is equated to loneliness. Anyone dining alone will be told “an mot minh dau tuc”, literally, you’ll hurt yourself by eating alone. But for the solo diners amongst you, fear not, … [Read more...]

President Sang's visit makes the headlines in India This is the second time a Vietnamese State President sets foot in India again, 12 years after former President Tran Duc Luong’s visit to the country in 1999. The Vietnam-India traditional relationship, fostered by late President Ho Chi Minh and late Prime Minister Shri Jawaharlal Nehru, has continued to grow and flourish through generations of leaders, especially since the two countries established a strategic partnership in July, 2007. Vietnam and India not only have cooperation mechanisms but also share many points of view on regional and international issues. With mutual trust in politics, the two countries have expanded cooperation in security and defence with six dialogues conducted so far. Prospects for bilateral economic, trade, investment, cultural, and education are also promising with two-way trade reaching US$2.7 billion in 2010 and US$1.8 billion in the first six months of 2011. Both sides are expected to increase … [Read more...]

(VEN) - Vietnamese people will have the chance to vote for Ha Long Bay as a new World Wonder through a TV programme to be broadcast live on October 29.The live programme will be concurrently aired on Vietnam Television's Channel 1 (VTV1) linking four places: Ha Long Bay in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh, the capital city of Hanoi, the former imperial city of Hue in the central region and Ho Chi Minh City. Famous figures, including pop stars, will vote for the bay and deliver messages calling on audiences to take part in the vote.    Ha Long Bay has been twice recognised as a World Natural Heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). The programme will help promote the image of the World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay and Vietnam as well, said Nguyen Van Tinh, head of the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MoCST) at a press briefing in Hanoi on October 19. According to MoCST … [Read more...]

Vietnamese celebrities are increasingly taking part in charity activities, generously giving of their time and money for good causes. Miss Vietnam Ngoc Han (L) is teaching children in Hanoi in a drawing class Last year many of them undertook campaigns to help flood victims, underprivileged children, and poor people. The reigning Miss Vietnam, Ngoc Han, singers Ho Ngoc Ha and Dam Vinh Hung, and actor Chi Bao have become the most notable philanthropists among the stars. Han has been involved with many programs to help the needy, including several of her own. She accompanied rescue teams to many flood-hit areas in the central region last year, and donated 2,000 notebooks and 1,200 pens to students in Dong Hoi town in Quang Binh province. She donated the cash prize of VND10 million (US$480) she got for winning the beauty title to a charity fund based in Cam Pha town in the northern province of Quang Ninh. Also, she joined employees of the Hanoi … [Read more...]

You know who you are – you guys are everywhere. Sadly I’m a savory kind of guy. So when my partner suggested we head off for an afternoon of chocolaty treats, I wasn’t too eager. “What about lunch?” I ask sheepishly. “That is lunch” she replies. Meeting our friends outside the stately lake-side lodgings, we pass doll-like newly-weds posing in front of a vintage model Citroen, and go through the big French doors. It’s like stepping into the roaring twenties novel ‘The Great Gatsby’ with its airy atmosphere and colonial era décor. Entering the buffet room, to the left are shelves stacked with sweet delights, and on the right tropical fruits and tiered mini-sandwiches that look like glazed tartlets. Just like the chocolate fountain tempting us nearby, my friends are overflowing with sugary joy. Me? Not so much. I’d be all over a burger or Bun Cha buffet. But two hours of bonbons and brownies, and I’ll go into a … [Read more...]

Talking about Hung Yen province, 60km from Hanoi, many Vietnamese people think of Hien street, which is widely known with a famous saying “One should first visit Thang Long and then Hien street.” The name “Nhan Long” (cage-longan) comes from the farming practice of covering the fruit with small bamboo-woven baskets to protect them from the birds. After more than 1 hour driving from Hanoi we arrived at Hien street along which both Asian and European-style houses have coexisted for generations in harmony with longan trees. Sitting in the car, we all felt very excited and decided to get out of the car to pick some fruit hanging just overhead and within reach. The longan trees are grown everywhere by local residents, in school yards, in public areas and along the small dirt road leading to our college campus. Now at the peak season, farmers are busy sorting out the best longan fruit for sale. The remaining, often crack-skinned, will be processed into … [Read more...]

Many travel experts keep saying that along the central coastline, the next big thing is Phu Yen – a seaside town blessed with beautiful scenery and an untouched shore. When you arrive at Phu Yen, you’re to concur. You will also soon discover that Sao Viet Resort & Spa is the next big thing in the local resort scene. This four-star upscale accommodation is located on Thom Hill (Pineapple Hill), which offers unbelievable sea views. Guests will find 83 beautifully decorated rooms and villas spread over 45 acres of the mountain. From a distance Sao Viet appears like an Alpine village in summertime, complete with clear blue skies and verdant surroundings. All the bedrooms are artfully furnished ancient Vietnamese style architecture and more modern, penthouse-styled apartments. All have smooth silk cushions and matching bedspread, as well as private balconies overlooking either the lush garden or the inviting seawater. The resort has a 800sqm swimming pool with … [Read more...]

Cao Bang: A Present From Nature By My Son Cao Bang has been blessed with many rivers, lakes, waterfalls and primeval forests, which make for imposing and romantic scenery suitable for those who love exploring nature and relaxing Cao Bang Municipality of Cao Bang Province is a meeting point for the Bang, Soc and Hien rivers. The town has an ancient bastion constructed with ashlar masonry, which has an underground trench able to shelter 100 people, and various relics. Pac Bo Cave lies in a rugged limestone mountain next to the border of Vietnam and China, and is called “watershed” in the local language, as hundreds of streams fan out in the beginning of the rainy season.Vacationers who flock there can stay with ethnic minorities as a homestay tourism service and bathe in the cool and clear water of Pac Bo Stream, which flows and rubs the body as a form of massage therapy. The treatment will take fatigue away. Getting to Cao Bang, tourists should at least spend a whole day to … [Read more...]