The development of supporting industries has yet to catch up with the growth and demand of FDI enterprises, as Vietnamese enterprises are mainly micro, small and medium businesses short of capital and technology, so they cannot meet the requirements to produce components and parts of the main products, especially those which require hi-tech investment; the training of high-quality manpower for the supporting industries is still inadequate and weak; and though policies to develop the supporting industries are available, enterprises are generally let to manage by themselves. Private enterprises qualified for spearhead areas of the supporting industries have not yet been selected to develop links in the global supply chain in Vietnam. Though State-owned enterprises hold huge assets of the country, most of them are unable to build links in the global supply chain in Vietnam. … [Read more...] about Private sector development to enhance FDI efficiency
Budget deficits by country
Life and times of a Dong Ho artist
“I used to practise painting when I came home from school, so the steps to take and tips on making a complete artwork are engraved on my memory,” she said. “It has been my main source of income throughout my life and, coincidentally, I became the daughter-in-law of late artisan Nguyen Huu Sam.” … [Read more...] about Life and times of a Dong Ho artist
Portrait of an artist on a bridge
The painter went on: “I sell them at an affordable price, which still gives me a little to live off once I’ve paid for painting materials. At my prices, more people can afford to buy them, because paintings in galleries are perhaps dozens of times more expensive. Not everyone can spend thousands of dollars on a painting.” … [Read more...] about Portrait of an artist on a bridge
An overseas Vietnamese: Covid-19 infected, in lockdown and the desire to fly back home
I just want to say that the physical pain is really terrible when being infected by a kind of virus that just “as harmful as seasonal flu”, like the British had previously thought. Even with me – a very healthy person without any underlying illnesses; non-smoking; do exercise and play sports regularly- the health is till severely affected by coronavirus infection. Somehow, I felt extremely impotent. … [Read more...] about An overseas Vietnamese: Covid-19 infected, in lockdown and the desire to fly back home
Supermarket coalition expected to help cut use of plastic bags
Meanwhile, many retail and distribution businesses have offered promotions to customers who use their own shopping bags. The VinCommerce General Commercial Service JSC, the owner of VinMart and VinMart , has been among the pioneers in encouraging green shopping habits by implementing the “Three green” programme - Green VinMart, Green Customers, and Green Suppliers - to protect the environment. It has 2,200 retail points around the country, including 850 in Hanoi. Environmental experts, however, said the habit of using plastic bags continues among a large number of shoppers, especially at traditional markets./. VNA … [Read more...] about Supermarket coalition expected to help cut use of plastic bags