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
Odds world cup 2022
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
Remarks by PM Pham Minh Chinh at CSIS in Washington D.C.
The following is the full text of the speech. “SINCERITY, TRUST AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR A BETTER WORLD” Dear Dr. John Hamre, President and CEO of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Ladies and gentlemen, I am very happy to visit the Center for Strategic and International Studies for the first time today, though this is far from the first time I hear of the CSIS, a top American think tank in the field of foreign strategies and policies and international issues. Seventy-seven years ago, President Ho Chi Minh, the national hero of Vietnam and great man of culture, prefaced the Declaration of Independence establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam with this untarnishable fact, “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of happiness.” This was the spirit enshrined within the 1776 Declaration of Independence of the United States of America; it … [Read more...] about Remarks by PM Pham Minh Chinh at CSIS in Washington D.C.
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
Vietnamese, Cambodian defense ministers hold talks
At the talks, the Vietnamese defense minister expressed his delight at meeting with Tea Banh, Cambodian Deputy PM, Defense Minister and co-chairing the first aforementioned exchange. General Giang emphasized the special significance of the first Vietnam-Cambodia Border Defense Friendship Exchange since the first time the two defense ministries hold a border defense friendship exchange at the defense minister level. More significantly, the exchange is held in this year which is selected to be the Vietnam - Cambodia and Cambodia - Vietnam Friendship Year and marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (June 24, 1967 - 2022), and the 45th anniversary of Cambodian PM Hun Sen’s “Journey to the fall of the Pol Pot genocidal regime” (June 20, 1977 - 2022). The Vietnamese defense chief expressed his emotion when receiving sincere, warm and friendly welcome of the local people and the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense during the activities … [Read more...] about Vietnamese, Cambodian defense ministers hold talks
First Vietnamese woman reaches summit of Mount Everest
Nhã during her trip to conquer Vinson Massif, Antarctica in January 2022. — Photo courtesy of Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã NEPAL — Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã, also known as Céline Nha Nguyen, has become the first Vietnamese woman to conquer the summit of Mount Everest, according to Nepal-based mountaineering company Seven Summit Treks. Thaneswar Guragai, manager of Seven Summit Treks, confirmed that Nhã had summited Everest at around 3.30 am local time this morning. A representative from the company congratulated her and highlighted that she is the first Vietnamese woman to reach the summit of Everest, noting that this is a historic achievement for the Vietnamese climbing community. Nhã (fourth from the left) and the Everest conquering team. — Photo courtesy of Seven Summit Treks Nhã, a lawyer from Hồ Chí Minh City, aspires to conquer the 'Seven Summits' - the seven highest mountains in the world. In January this year, she successfully conquered Vinson Massif , which … [Read more...] about First Vietnamese woman reaches summit of Mount Everest