China's withdrawal from hosting the 2023 Asian Cup could see the showpiece shift west to the Gulf, where new infrastructure and voracious demand for major events has made the region a magnet for international tournaments. Having planned to hold the Asian Cup across 10 cities in June-July next year, China dropped the 24-team tournament due to "exceptional circumstances caused by the COVID-19 pandemic", the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said over the weekend. The AFC said it would name a new host in due course but provided no detail and declined to provide immediate comment to Reuters . AFC member nations were in the dark on Monday about the next steps. "This is quite an unusual situation and so there’s no specific process that we are aware of on how things could go," a spokesperson for the Korean Football Association (KFA) told Reuters . "We just know that China has given up." The AFC has little time to appraise candidates and may not have a diverse set to choose … [Read more...] about China withdrawal could see 2023 Asian Cup heading west
Groups world cup 2022
Vietnam seeks US recognition of local Vietnamese communities as ethnic minority group
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked the Vietnamese Embassy in the U.S. to call on the U.S. government to recognize Vietnamese communities in the country as one of its ethnic minorities. PM Chinh visited the embassy in Washington, D.C. on Saturday as part of his trip to the U.S. to attend the U.S. - ASEAN Special Summit from May 11 to 17, at the invitation of U.S. President Joe Biden. The PM praised the embassy’s efforts in realizing the external policy of the Party and the state, promoting the image of the nation and people of Vietnam, and contributing to fostering the Vietnam – U.S. comprehensive partnership. The embassy should maintain its good performance in overseas Vietnamese affairs, including citizen protection, and request the U.S. government to recognize Vietnamese communities in the U.S. as an ethnic minority of the country, the Vietnam Government Portal cited the PM as saying. He also requested the embassy to take prompt actions in implementing relevant … [Read more...] about Vietnam seeks US recognition of local Vietnamese communities as ethnic minority group
Vietnam’s economic recovery gaining momentum
Vietnam continues to benefit from its broad re-opening strategy, which saw a huge crowd flocking to tourist hotspots in the country and household spending rebound. Vietnam’s economic recovery is gaining momentum despite heightened global uncertainty related to the protracted war in Ukraine, higher commodity prices, and tightening global financial conditions, according to the World Bank. Cargo handling at Dinh Vu port, Haiphong. Photo: Cong Hung In its latest report, the World Bank pointed out the robust growth of industrial production by 9.4% in April, comparable to pre-pandemic rates. Manufactures of apparel, footwear, electronics, electrical equipment, and metal products were the most dynamic sub-sectors, registering double-digit growth rates, it added. However, machinery manufacturing slowed from 26.6% year-on-year in March to only 5.1% in April. This deceleration was related to supply chain disruptions caused by lockdowns in China, which led to a … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s economic recovery gaining momentum
Cyclist Quỳnh defends cross-country gold
Vietnamese cyclist Đinh Thị Như Quỳnh celebrates her win in the women’s mountain bike cross-country Olympic category on May 16. VNA/VNS Photo Trọng Đạt Thanh Nga HÒA BÌNH — Vietnamese cyclist Đinh Thị Như Quỳnh defended her gold medal in the women’s mountain bike cross-country Olympic category on May 16. Quỳnh finished first with a time of 1:18.06 to get the victory, followed by Zainal Abidin Nur Assyira of Malaysia with a time of 1:22.14 and Malaysian Soon Natahsya clocking in at 1:23. At the SEA Games 30 held in the Philippines in 2019, Quỳnh also bagged the gold medal in the same category. Despite difficulties due to adverse weather conditions - it rained before the race began - causing some parts of the race track to sink, Quỳnh still completed her race outstandingly to leave behind her rivals at the finish line. “I am thrilled and proud of this medal. I dedicate this victory to my family and fans,” Quỳnh said. Quỳnh, 30, is a veteran cyclist of the … [Read more...] about Cyclist Quỳnh defends cross-country gold
NA leader holds talks with Lao counterpart
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and his host counterpart Saysomphone Phomvihan on May 16 held talks following an official welcome ceremony for the former. Hue is now in Laos on an official visit. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and his host counterpart Saysomphone Phomvihan on May 16 held talks. (Photo: VNA) The Lao leader spoke highly of the significance of the visit, the first by a key Vietnamese leader to Laos in the "Year of Solidarity and Friendship" between Viethnam and Laos. The year 2022 marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. This is also the highest-level delegation of a foreign National Assembly to visit Laos since the success of the 11th Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and the beginning of the 9th National Assembly term of Laos. For his part, … [Read more...] about NA leader holds talks with Lao counterpart
Vietnamese PM receives leaders of U.S. companies in New York
Meeting with CEO of Warburg Pincus Charles Kaye, PM Chinh noted that in the time ahead, it is necessary to improve the effectiveness of funding and focus on the key areas that can boost other fields. He stressed Vietnam is investing efforts in developing strategic infrastructure, including digital and transport infrastructure, digital transformation, climate change fight, the capital market, and digital transition, calling on the private equity firm to promote sources of investment into Vietnam in these areas. Clarifying the issues of Warburg Pincus’s concern like the cooperation capability of Vietnamese companies, macro-economic stability, infrastructure, and logistics, the PM affirmed that the Vietnamese Government is ready to hold dialogue with enterprises so as to field their questions and help them operate successfully in the country, which shows the mutual trust, sincerity, sense of responsibility, and win-win cooperation. He also asked enterprises, including Warburg … [Read more...] about Vietnamese PM receives leaders of U.S. companies in New York