HCM CITY — A latte art contest, National LAGS Battle - Việt Nam Arena, will be organised on July 30 this year in HCM City by Barista School. The prestigious event, which is held in partnership with the renowned Latte Art Grading System (LAGS), will feature three levels of competition: green grading, red grading, and black grading. By adhering to international mixology qualification standards, the contest aims to provide baristas with international certification while scouting for Vietnamese talents for participation in the global tournament, The World Latte Art Grading Battle (WLAGS), held biennially. At these workshops, aspiring baristas and coffee enthusiasts will have the unique opportunity to experience the art of creating stunning latte art, compete amongst themselves, and receive evaluations from former latte art champions. These scholarships will enable young individuals to obtain international qualifications easily and provide numerous opportunities to participate in annual Latte art competitions.

HÀ NỘI — Seafood exporters will start to record improved profits in the second half of 2023 thanks to lower costs, including lower input prices and reduced transportation costs. The average price of aqua feed peaked in May 2023 at VNĐ14,900 per kg and feed companies only started reducing the price from June 2023. With the ships and containers being oversupplied, Việt Nam's seafood exports to Western countries will be more positive in 2023. In 2024, SSI expects that net income and net profit will increase sharply. However, inflation in many markets has not shown any signs of cooling down, which inhibits the recovery of their seafood consumption and import demand.

Business Vietnam grabs attention of pharmaceutical companies from RoK A delegation of pharmaceutical companies from the Republic of Korea (RoK) has visited Vietnam to seek chances for strengthening business partnerships, according to the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-Pharma Manufacturers Association (KPBMA). Business Vietravel Airlines to receive fifth aircraft Vietravel Airlines, a member of Vietravel Corporation, will receive and put into use its fifth aircraft in mid-August, and further expand its fleet to six within this year, according to the airline’s representative. Business Petrol prices see mixed changes, oil prices up The retail prices of RON 95 petrol and all oil products increased in the latest adjustment on July 11 by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance. Business Experts give recommendations to boost economic growth in new context Experts gave recommendations to restore aggregate demand and promote growth in the new context at the mid-year macro-economic roundtable in Hanoi on July 11.

HÀ NỘI — The latest Business Climate Index (BCI) report reveals a modest decline of 4.5 points in European business confidence towards the Vietnamese market, with the current score of 43.5 reflecting prevailing market conditions with many challenges. The Business Climate Index is the premier metric for gaining insight into the European business and investment community's perceptions of the Vietnamese market. This decline in exports and orders has had a major impact on European businesses and the overall business community. By taking prompt and comprehensive action, we can not only attract foreign investment but also ensure a resilient economy capable of overcoming future obstacles. By taking prompt and comprehensive action, we can not only attract foreign investment but also ensure a resilient economy capable of overcoming future obstacles.

First Vietnam Festival in France’s Larmor-Plage surprise for visitors, localsThe first Vietnam Festival held in France’s Larmor-Plage was a big surprise for visitors and locals. The above-mentioned large-scale Vietnamese cultural festival creating happy Vietnamese days in France will be held at the beginning of summer every year if possible. Hagiuda Koichi also proposed several contents in which Japan wishes to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in the future. He said cooperation between Vietnam and Kagoshima prefecture has been promoted, particularly in manufacturing, agriculture, seafood processing, tourism, and receiving Vietnamese students and apprentices. During his working visit to Vietnam, the governor is scheduled to visit the northern province of Hai Duong, sign a memorandum of understanding with the Vietnam National University of Agriculture, and hold meetings with some major Japanese businesses operating in Vietnam such as Aeon Mall and Akuruhi.

HCM CITY — HCM City plans to focus on disseminating information to create a strong transformation, aiming to raise awareness and work toward a more robust approach to cybersecurity in State agencies, businesses and people’s day-to-day activities. The municipal People’s Committee has issued an action plan for implementing a national cybersecurity strategy in response to cyberspace challenges in the city by 2025, with a vision to 2030. Under the plan, the city will pay more attention to building human resources in cybersecurity. Việt Nam aims to build a cyber security research and development centre, protect information systems in 11 important areas, and form cyber security forces at ministries, sectors and State agencies by 2025. The authority stressed that it is necessary to strengthen the protection of national sovereignty in cyberspace, digital infrastructure, digital platforms, digital data, national cyber infrastructure, information systems of Party and State agencies and important fields.

Spackman Media Group artist Son Suk-ku headlines the upcoming original Netflix crime drama series, D.P. Furthermore, Son Suk-ku achieved the top-ranking in movie star brand reputation, as recognized by the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute in January 2023. About Spackman Entertainment Group LimitedSpackman Entertainment Group Limited ("SEGL" or the "Company"), and together with its subsidiaries, (the "Group"), is one of Korea's leading entertainment production groups. Mr. Spackman is also the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the global investment firm, Spackman Group. Talent RepresentationThe Company holds an effective shareholding interest of 43.88% in Spackman Media Group Limited ("SMGL").

Entitled “Vietnam My Home”, the video features a harmonious blend of traditional and modern music with an electric melody that is perfectly complemented by traditional Vietnamese instruments. He has also created stunning visuals, showcasing authentic landscapes from the north to the south of the country. Through the video, Masew aims to promote Vietnam’s image among international audiences while also inspiring patriotism and pride in his homeland. Vietnam welcomed over 5.5 million foreign tourists in the first half of the year. The number of foreign visitors to Vietnam is predicted to see a significant increase following the extension of tourist e-visas from 30 to 90 days from August 15./.

CIEM Director Tran Thi Hong Minh said since the beginning of this year, the Government has paid attention to perfecting institutions and policies, tapping investment resources for the national economy, and improving the business environment. Illustrative image (Source: VNA)In the six months, the total social investment exceeded 1.35 quadrillion VND (57.05 billion USD), up 4.7% year-on-year. The country also attracted 13.43 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI), down 4.35%, while FDI disbursement went up 0.5%. The total export value in the reviewed period was estimated at 164.5 billion USD, down 12.1%, and import was 152.2 billion USD, down 18.2%, resulting in a trade surplus of over 12.2 billion USD. Participants at the workshop looked into factors that may cause difficulties to the national socio-economic development in the remaining months, and proposed orientations and policy solutions./.

HÀ NỘI — The stock market finished higher on Monday, backed by large-cap stocks, while foreign investors continued to withdraw money from both main bourses. The VN-Index on the Hồ Chí Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) gained for the two straight days to approach the strong resistance level of 1,150 point. The market's pillar sectors: banking and securities stocks also performed well. The banking giant's shares dipped nearly 2.2 per cent after surging nearly 4.3 per cent last Friday. On the Hà Nội Stock Exchange (HNX), the HNX-Index also opened the new week on a positive note.

The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) held in Vietnam recently wrapped up its two month-long festival and awarded France’s “Light Up With Love” performance to win this year’s firework competition. The French team was awarded a cash prize of US$20,000, while Italy, as winning the second place, took home $10,000 for being runners-up. France and Italy were the two best teams following the festival’s selection from eight teams: Vietnam, Finland, France, Canada, Australia, Italy, the UK and Poland between 3 June 3 and 24 June, according to the Vietnam News. Back in 2019, the fireworks from Finland’s team won the festival and was suspended by COVID-19 for three years. Source: https://vietnamnews.vn/life-style/1550911/france-wins-da-nang-fireworks-festival-with-stunning-light-show.html

Consumers shopping at a supermarket. (Photo: VNA)Vietnam imported more than 239,000 tonnes of meat and meat products worth 480 million USD in the first five months of this year.The number climbed by roughly 1.6% in terms of quantity but declined by 9.1% in terms of value, according to the General Department of Customs of Vietnam.In May, Vietnam imported 57,620 tonnes of meat, worth 108.8 million USD, up 9.5% in volume but down 10.2% in value year-on-year. This marked the fourth monthly growth in import volume of meat and meat products.During the period, the country imported from more than 36 markets, with the five largest suppliers being the US, India, Russia, Brazil, and Poland.In particular, meat imports from Russia have steadily soared after decreasing in 2022.The main types of imported meat and include poultry and offal, fresh chilled or frozen pork, and fresh chilled or frozen beef.Imports of chilled or frozen poultry, offal of pigs, buffaloes, and cows were on the uptrend, while pork and beef imports decreased year-on-year.In the first five months of 2023, Vietnam imported 29,610 tonnes of fresh chilled or frozen pork , worth 73.62 million USD, down 19.9% in volume and 5.7% in value.

Spackman Media Group artist Son Suk-ku headlines the upcoming original Netflix crime drama series, D.P. Furthermore, Son Suk-ku achieved the top-ranking in movie star brand reputation, as recognized by the Korea Corporate Reputation Research Institute in January 2023. About Spackman Entertainment Group LimitedSpackman Entertainment Group Limited ("SEGL" or the "Company"), and together with its subsidiaries, (the "Group"), is one of Korea's leading entertainment production groups. Mr. Spackman is also the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the global investment firm, Spackman Group. Talent RepresentationThe Company holds an effective shareholding interest of 43.88% in Spackman Media Group Limited ("SMGL").

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam imported more than 239,000 tonnes of meat and meat products worth US$480 million in the first five months of this year. In May, Việt Nam imported 57.62 thousand tonnes of meat, worth $108.8 million, up 9.5 per cent in volume but down 10.2 per cent in value year-on-year. This marked its fourth monthly growth in import volume of meat and meat products. The main types of imported meat and include poultry and offal, fresh chilled or frozen pork, and fresh chilled or frozen beef. Imports of chilled or frozen poultry, offal of pigs, buffaloes, and cows were on the uptrend, while pork and beef imports decreased year-on-year.

“Taste France 2023 brings the best quality imported French products to Vietnamese customers and foreigners living in Vietnam. Thanks to unceasing efforts in knowledge transfer and capacity building in Vietnam, Luxembourg has gained solid grounds to help Vietnam connect more effectively with the international capital market, she said. Minister Phoc affirmed that Vietnam is implementing action plans to develop green finance and has reaped certain achievements. This is a potential field in cooperation between Vietnam and Kerela in particular and India in general. "Vietnam persists in the foreign policy of independence and self-reliance to maximise national interests," the deputy FM noted.