One is always curious to know what locals are selling and how a shopping experience in a foreign country is different from what you have at home. In a city as large as Ho Chi Minh, there are endless opportunities for shopping ranging from local markets such as Ben Thanh to large shopping malls like Vincom Center. This guide will help you go to the right one when you visit one of Southeast Asia’s growing cities. Saigon Center & Takashimaya Multistory interior of Saigon Center with two large advertising placards showing portraits of models. Photo by Shutterstock/David Bokuchava. Takashimaya and Saigon Center are two malls in one. On one side of the building is Takashimaya, the Japanese retail brand that has stores all over Asia, and the main customer at Saigon Center. You could find yourself entering Saigon Center and exiting Takashimaya, so do not be confused. It is one of the biggest retail places you will find in Ho Chi Minh City, and has everything you expect … [Read more...] about Where to go shopping in Ho Chi Minh City: a guide to malls
Hanoi or ho chi minh which is better
South Korean enclaves make mark in Hanoi
Hanoi’s South Korean enclaves are transforming to better accommodate expats’ unique tastes Visitors to Trung-Hoa-Nhan Chinh area, as well as My Dinh and Keangnam Hanoi Landmark Tower in Hanoi now get a serious vibe of walking through a South Korean town, what with the abundance of restaurants, supermarkets, massage parlours, beauty salons, and karaoke bars sporting South Korean banners lining the streets. A TASTE OF HOME Among the 129 countries and territories investing in Vietnam so far, South Korea ranks first, followed by Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. The number of South Korean people living and working in the country rose to 150,000, former South Korean Ambassador Lee Hyuk to Vietnam told media in March 2018. Most of them live in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. In Hanoi, this immense South Korean diaspora mainly gathers around Trung Hoa-Nhan Chinh area and the My Dinh, and Keangnam (South Tu Liem district), with mid-income South Koreans opting for the former, … [Read more...] about South Korean enclaves make mark in Hanoi
Hanoi to benefit from more financial-budgetary autonomy
The Hanoitimes - Greater autonomy would allow Hanoi to eliminate institutional bottlenecks on its way toward sustainable development. Hanoi’s budget revenue increases 18.7% YTD Hanoi remains Vietnam's most appealing destination for foreign investment Hanoi lures investment in 9 hi-tech agricultural parks Hanoi targets to better its already improved business-friendliness F1 CEO impressed with construction pace of Hanoi’s race track Hanoi to support enterprises to build brands for greater competitiveness Hanoi is expected to benefit from preferential financial-budgetary mechanisms, which are being drafted up in a government decree by the Ministry of Finance. Illustrative photo. The draft version stipulates Hanoi is authorized to make advanced payment from the financial reserve fund for priority infrastructure development projects, which have not been allocated funds from the government’s mid-term investment plan. The move is … [Read more...] about Hanoi to benefit from more financial-budgetary autonomy
David Thomas: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam in my life, my career
The Hanoitimes - “I am one of the lucky ones but every day I wake up and wonder if my luck will run out. I have beautiful and normal children and now grandchildren but several of my friends in Vietnam have not been so lucky”. David Thomas, Director of Indochina Arts Partnership said: “I am one of the lucky ones but every day I wake up and wonder if my luck will run out. I have beautiful and normal children and now grandchildren but several of my friends in Vietnam have not been so lucky”. This is maybe the reason why he has spent a large of his time engaging to Viet Nam. Change outdated mind about Uncle Ho When Ho Chi Minh died on September 2, 1969, I was an American soldier stationed in Pleiku, South Viet Nam. At that time I only knew one fact about him, that he was the leader of the people we were fighting against. Therefore, we all naturally celebrated his death. That was the last time I thought seriously about him until 1987, when I returned to Vietnam for … [Read more...] about David Thomas: Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam in my life, my career
Hanoi gathers best conditions to attract quality FDI: Expert
The Hanoitimes - Hanoi with high level of infrastructure development, appropriate investment policies and support for enterprises would gain a head start in attracting FDI among others. Besides achieving significant improvements in administrative reform, Hanoi also takes the top spot nationwide in developing e-government and high technologies, which are key to attracting quality foreign direct investment (FDI), a veteran expert has said. Illustrative photo. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have the best conditions to attract quality FDI projects using Industry 4.0 technologies, such as big data, artificial intelligence (AI) or automation, according to Nguyen Mai, chairman of the Vietnam Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises (VAFIE). Many leading universities and research institutions are located in Hanoi, which are the foundation for the city to target projects with high added value using future technologies from the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Mai … [Read more...] about Hanoi gathers best conditions to attract quality FDI: Expert