Predicts 2018 application development

A scene of “Chasing Coral” (Source: VietnamPlus) – The European Union (EU) Delegation on October 3 hosted a free screening of the movie “Chasing Coral”, aiming to raise public awareness of the severe impact of climate change. As part of the activities within the EU Climate Diplomacy Week 2019, the event was held back-to-back with a ceremony organised by the Central Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union to reward the winners of a photo competition promoting climate action, in collaboration with the French Development Agency (AFD) and the EU. Around 200 youngsters attended the movie screening, 150 of them students from universities in Hanoi. In his remarks, Giorgio Aliberti, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, said: “We chose the movie because not only it’s an interesting documentary which showcases the underwater world, but also sends a strong message on the negative impact of climate change. It is also in line with the growing … [Read more...] about EU aims to raise public awareness of climate change impact in Vietnam

Illustrative photo (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Hanoi has set a goal this year to limit the imbalance of the sex ratio at birth and keep the rate at 113 girls per 100 boys. According to the municipal Department, local family planning work is facing difficulties due to the city’s large population and area. In 2018, the capital recorded the birth of 117,784 babies, representing a rate of 15.13 births per 1,000, an annual decrease of 0.17 per thousand. Meanwhile, the sex ratio at birth was 113 boys per 100 girls. The city said this year, it will continue implementing its project on screening tests before and during pregnancy to boost population quality. Communications campaigns to raise public awareness on caring for children’s physical development via exercises and nutrition are also important. Statistics show that sex imbalances at birth in Vietnam increased from 107 boys per 100 girls in 1999 to 110.5 in 2009, 113.8 in 2013 and 112.2 at present. The imbalances are … [Read more...] about Hanoi works to reduce gender imbalance at birth

With the price of pork soaring, consumers begin to look for alternatives such as poultry, beef, and seafood (Photo: Le Toan) Since early November, the price of pork has been increasing rapidly. In some provinces, the price of live pigs has hit a record of VND80,000 ($3.45) per kilogramme, an almost 170 per cent increase in just six months. The record tally has already pushed the price of pork in wet markets across the country up to VND170,000 ($7.40) per kilogramme. The price of other foodstuff made from pork, such as Vietnamese sausages, has also hiked up to VND40,000 ($1.70) per kilogramme. In some shops and restaurants in Hanoi, the rise has led to increases of up to VND10,000 ($0.40) per dish. Last week, Duong Thu Ha, a bank officer in the centre of the capital, was surprised at the increased fee of the noodles with pork that she usually has for lunch. “They used to charge me VND35,000 ($1.50), but now a dish can be either VND10,000 more expensive or if it has the same … [Read more...] about Consumers begin to feel pork pinch

  Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Trần Văn Tùng (third from right) and representatives from Qualcomm cut the ribbon to launch Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2020. — Photo courtesy of Qualcomm HÀ NỘI — The Qualcomm Vietnam Innovation Challenge 2020 was officially launched on Thursday to support the development of Việt Nam’s rising technology eco-system. The contest will be open to innovative small- and medium-sized companies and encourage them to design new products in 5G, Internet of Things, machine learning, smart cities, wearable devices and multimedia utilising mobile platforms and technologies of Qualcomm Technologies, a subsidiary of Qualcomm Incorporated. This will offer an opportunity to help Vietnamese entrepreneurs enter new markets around the globe. The application will be open after the Lunar New Year. Ten finalists will be selected to move forward to the incubation stage which will involve … [Read more...] about Innovation challenge for SMEs launched

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) increased its growth projections for Vietnam by 0.1 percentage point, bringing its estimates to 6.9 and 6.8 percent in 2019 and 2020, respectively, according to a report released earlier this month. ADB’s new predictions were an upgrade to the numbers it had previously unveiled in the September edition of its Asian Development Outlook Supplement, attributing the 0.1 percentage point jump to unexpectedly strong outturns driven by exports. The report also noted that Vietnam’s GDP growth in the first three quarters of 2019 accelerated to seven percent, its highest rate for the period in nine years. Private consumption from Q1 to Q3 rose by 7.3 percent, while investment expanded by 7.7 percent thanks to a steadily improving business environment, continued investor confidence, and increased foreign direct investment. With unexpectedly strong growth momentum in Q3 likely to carry into Q4 and on to 2020, ADB adjusted its growth forecast for … [Read more...] about ADB lifts Vietnam’s 2019 growth forecast to 6.9 percent