As recently as five years ago, we went to cafés or coffee shops to sit, relax and have some coffee, tea or small eats. Friends arranged to meet at coffee shops basically to catch up on what was happening in each other’s lives, exchange gossip and so on. “My sister studies with her university friends at least two times per week at the Là Việt coffee shop in District 3 [Hồ Chí Minh City]. Some argue that the new trend has “killed” the essence of going to a coffee shop for a cup of stimulating beverage and a well-deserved break. “I once sat next to a loud man at a coffee shop that was workspace-oriented.

By Thúy HằngI had a short two-day work trip to Đà Nẵng last week. I was surprised and also admired the foreign chef as he talked about Vietnamese dishes with knowledge and passion. The restaurant has a contemporary design, and is the place where guests can indulge with authentic Vietnamese food or popular Western dishes, while taking in the magnificent view of the beach through large floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Besides this, it’s the fantastic quality and freshness of seafood in Đà Nẵng that inspires him to showcase these ocean delicacies to his clients. When dusk arrives, the venue transforms into a trendy cocktail bar and South American restaurant – the first of its kind in Đà Nẵng.

Vice Chairman of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation Nguyen Lam (L) presents a gift to PSUV First Vice President Diosdado Cabello Rondon. (Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela)– A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by Vice Chairman of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation Nguyen Lam is paying a working visit to Venezuela from July 19 to 23.During the trip, the delegation made a courtesy call on First Vice President of the ruling United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Diosdado Cabello Rondon, held talks with PSUV Vice President of Mobilisation and Events Nahum Fernandez, and had a working session with Minister of Communities and Social Movements Jorge Arreaza.At the events, Lam stressed that the CPV delegation’s visit aims to enhance the friendship and cooperation between the CPV and the PSUV, thereby helping further intensify the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership in all aspects between the two countries.He appreciated the solidarity and support that the people and progressive forces of Venezuela have given to Vietnam during the struggles for national liberation and reunification in the past as well as the process of national development at present.The official expressed his hope that the two sides will increase all-level mutual visits, maintain mechanisms and agreements like the political consultation between the two foreign ministries and the Inter-Government Committee to bolster multifaceted ties, keep expanding relations in such fields as culture, education and sports, and coordinate closely and support each other at international forums.Welcoming the CPV delegation, the PSUV leaders said the visit and other delegation exchanges will help further strengthen the ties between the two ruling parties and the Venezuela -Vietnam comprehensive partnership.PSUV First Vice President Diosdado Cabello stressed that Vietnam has been and will remain an example for Venezuela and the PSUV to follow, affirming the importance his country has attached to the traditional relationship and comprehensive partnership with the Southeast Asian nation.He voiced his hope that as the two ruling parties, the PSUV and the CPV will continue increasing the exchange of mutual visits at all levels, especially high-level ones.Aside from boosting the exchange of experience in the Party building, state management and mass mobilisation , the two sides should expand connections in economy, trade and investment, especially in the fields they have strengths in and potential for such as oil and gas, agriculture, and trade, Cabello suggested.During the visit, the CPV delegation laid wreaths at the monument dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh in Caracas at a ceremony that was also joined by leaders and members of the PSUV and other parties in the ruling alliance. They also visited some PSUV agencies in the capital city and met with the Vietnamese Embassy's staff and people in Venezuela./.

HÀ NỘI – Standard Chartered Bank Vietnam, in collaboration with the Department of Climate Change and Climate Impact X (CIX), has organised a seminar on establishing a voluntary carbon credit exchange in Việt Nam. The workshop was an opportunity for participants to share views, experiences and proposals for developing the voluntary carbon market in Việt Nam. "The establishment of a voluntary carbon credit exchange is a strategic move in the direction of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. A pilot voluntary carbon exchange is recommended to supplement the compliance market. Standard Chartered Bank and CIX shared experiences in operating a voluntary carbon credit exchange in Singapore and the next steps to set one up in Việt Nam.

A recent monthly report from Việt Nam Steel Association (VSA) showed that construction steel production decreased by 9.1 per cent month-on-month to 738,196 tonnes. VSA said that weak steel demand in most regions of the world and negative sentiment had both weighed on the selling prices of finished steel. Also pressuring steel prices, Chinese producers were boosting exports by lowering prices at a rapid rate to compete, the association added. Since the beginning of the year, construction steel prices have been revised down 12 to 13 consecutive times. The General Department of Customs reported 1.13 million tonnes of iron and steel were shipped in May.

HÀ NỘI — Pre-tax profit growth of the whole banking industry will decelerate in 2023 and there will be a significant difference in the growth between small- and large-sized banks, experts forecast. Many real estate projects are still in the process of completing legal procedures or have not completed construction and handed over apartments to homebuyers as planned. The above difficulties are forecast to directly affect the stability of the real estate market and a number of related industries such as iron and steel, building materials and construction. By 2024, VCBS forecast the risk of bad debt might increase again and there would be a divergence. Specifically, the group of banks with good asset quality would record bad debt and debt restructuring at a moderate level.

Austrian Ambassador to Vietnam Hans-Peter Glanzer said Austria was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam back in 1972. Since then, relations have developed in an excellent way in various fields, be it political, economic or academic. “Vietnam is our largest trading partner in the ASEAN region and Austria is between the fifth and seventh most important export market for Vietnam in Europe,” said the Ambassador. “The visit of President Vo Van Thuong to Austria is of great importance and significance because the visit will help further strengthen our bilateral relations. For example, in the economic field, there's definitely more room for Austrian investments in Vietnam.

Việt Nam will have reasonable tactics against them,” Chung said at the press conference in Auckland, New Zealand on Friday. "I know that Việt Nam has gone through a challenging journey at the Asia qualifiers to reach the World Cup. With the same opinion, defender Crystal Dunn said that Việt Nam would give it their best try. Meanwhile, Vietnamese striker Huỳnh Như said that football always hides surprises and Việt Nam will play with the highest spirit. In fact, Việt Nam is one of the teams with the least information about it in the 2023 Women's World Cup.

Vietnam will play for the first time in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, starting with a game against the US, the two-time defending champion, the article said. The New York Times has highlighted the growth of Vietnamese women’s football in an article published recently. As of March 2023, Israel had 41 valid investment projects in Vietnam, with a total investment capitalization of US$145.5 million. Among those on display are English and Chinese versions of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s Vietnam Pictorial. A number of hotels and resorts in Thua Thien - Hue have received positive reviews and high ratings from international tourism organisations.

Vietnam News in Brief: Weekly Roundup July 21Vietnam Briefing keeps track of what’s happening in Vietnam’s business and economic news so that you don’t have to. Economic newsGDP growth forecasts lowered by ADB, AMROIn April, the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) forecast GDP growth for Vietnam of 6.8 percent. Automotive newsDomestic car sales are up, imports are downVietnam News is reporting that car sales grew by 15 percent in June, referencing data supplied by the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association (VAMA). Concerted efforts have been made recently to boost domestic car sales. Firms looking for alternative sources of information should consider subscribing to the Vietnam Briefing.

Vietnam hosts World Schools Debating Championship for the first time. (Photo: Nhandan.vn)Vietnam is the fourth country in Southeast Asia to host the WSDC. It is also the first nation to host the tournament in person after the COVID-19 pandemic with the largest number of attendees so far. The World Schools Debating Championships (WSDC) is an annual English-language debating tournament for high school-level teams. Each speaker delivers an eight-minute speech; then both teams deliver a "reply speech" lasting four minutes, with the last point being reserved for the Proposition.

NOTICE FROM VIỆT NAM NEWS EDITORIAL BOARDDear valued customers,The Editorial Board of Việt Nam News would like to extend our sincerest gratitude for your unwavering support and companionship throughout our journey. Due to the rise in printing and distribution costs, we will be reducing the number of international news pages in the printed edition by four, starting August 1, 2023. In order to ensure your continued satisfaction, we will offer each current subscriber to the printed edition a complementary e-paper account for a period of six months. This account will grant you access to the digital version of Việt Nam News. For further information, please contact:Mr. Dao Thanh TungBusiness DepartmentViệt Nam News9th floor, 79 Ly Thuong Kiet Street, Hoan Kiem District, HanoiEmail: distribution.hn@vnsmail.comMobile: 0989.091.828

An overview of the national seminar on external affairs reform (Source: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – A national seminar took place in Ho Chi Minh City on July 21, reviewing theJointly organised by theIn-depth research outcomes presented by participating experts, ambassadors, and scientists were expected to contribute theoretically and practically to shaping the country's foreign policy in the upcoming period. In his opening speech, Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu stated that the regional and global situation is forecast to continue undergoing fast, complicated and unpredictable changes. Such circumstances pose new requirements for the external affairs sector in ensuring national interests, hence reforms in the sector. Such circumstances pose new requirements for the external affairs sector in ensuring national interests, hence reforms in the sector. Evaluating and reviewing the renewal process of the diplomatic sector since 1986 in terms of thinking, orientation, and practice is significant in drawing valuable lessons for the sector to proactively adapt to global changes in the upcoming period, he noted.

HÀ NỘI – Universities offering agriculture and forestry majors have experienced a persistent decline in enrollment in recent years, raising concerns about a potential shortage of skilled staff in this critical industry. Dr Nguyễn Hưng Quang, Rector of the University of Agriculture and Forestry under Thái Nguyên University told E-magazine giaoduc.net.vn that the enrollment of traditional agriculture and forestry majors has become increasingly difficult in the past five years. Quang also said most traditional agriculture and forestry majors were taught at local universities, which were often perceived as less attractive. In recent years, some traditional agricultural majors had very few or even no students registering for them. The ministry would review the list of universities with agricultural and forestry majors, as well as the demand for these majors in business, and improve training quality accordingly.

HCM CITY — Vietjet has provided passengers with opportunities to fly all across the country, and internationally, this summer with its "Fly now, pay later” programme. Following simple steps when booking tickets on the official website www.vietjetair.com, passengers can choose the "Fly now, pay later” offer at the payment step, and complete the application for instalment loan approval with basic personal information. Successfully booked tickets will be sent to their emails, according to the company. Passengers still have opportunities to hunt for tickets of zero đồng at the golden hour from noon to 2pm every day. Vietjet added that when passengers successfully buy tickets from now until August 15, 2023, they would receive VNĐ100,000 vouchers to use for their next booking, details at https://evoucher.vietjetair.com/.