HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam's Industrial Production Index (IIP) for August increased by 2.9 per cent compared to the previous month and by 2.6 per cent compared to the same period last year. Employment increased by 0.9 per cent in August compared to the previous month but decreased by 2.9 per cent compared to the same period last year. In August, more than 14,000 new businesses were registered, a 2.3 per cent increase from July and a 17.9 per cent increase compared to August 2022. Consumer Price Index (CPI) for August 2023 increased by 0.88 per cent compared to the previous month. In August 2023, Việt Nam welcomed 1.2 million international visitors, a 17.2 per cent increase compared to the previous month, and 2.5 times higher than the same period last year.

Visitors in Vientiane, Laos. (Photo: quocte.vn)– Vietnam ranked first in Southeast Asia in terms of the growth rate in demand for foreign travel , at 170% in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2019, Google announced on August 30.The figure was measured by the level of interest and search for air tickets and accommodation of users on the Google Search This demand from the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore grew steadily every quarter from more than 50% to more than 100%.Up to 65% of the search volume by Vietnam ese people targeted destinations in the Southeast Asia n region.Outside the region, Vietnamese travellers are most interested in Australia, Japan, India and the US.Destinations in Southeast Asia are also increasingly popular with foreign visitors. In the beach category, the five most popular names are Kupang (Indonesia), Mersing (Malaysia), Bang Sak (Thailand), SantaFe (the Philippines) and Quy Nhon (Vietnam).To learn about culture, heritage and history, tourists most search for information about Bukittinggi (Indonesia), Tawau (Malaysia), Ban Saeo (Thailand), San Fernando (the Philippines), and Vinh (Vietnam).Four destinations with beautiful scenery are most loved by tourists, namely Lembang (Indonesia), Bentong (Malaysia), Na Suan (Thailand) and Ha Long (Vietnam), according to the Google Search./.

The VJBA introduces the Vietnam-Japan Business Day. (Photo: VNA)– The Vietnam Business Association in Japan (VJBA) has introduced a plan to organise the Vietnam-Japan Business Day , which is slated for November 2 and aims to promote exchange, experience sharing and connections in economy and trade between Vietnam and Japan.The plan was revealed at the VJBA congress on August 29to review its performance in the 2021-2023 tenure and introduced its executive board for the 2023-2025 term.The Vietnam-Japan Business Day expects to draw the participation of leaders of the two countries, economists, and leaders of leading Vietnamese and Japanese enterprises.VJAB Standing Vice President in the 2021-2023 tenure Le Van Ky said that over the past three years, despite the COVID-19 pandemic , the association has maintained and promoted its role in connecting the Vietnamese business community in Japan, while creating chances for enterprises of the two countries to meet and exchange, and supporting firms in processing investment procedures and joining trade and export promotion activities.VJBA newly-elected President Tong Thi Kim Giao said that in the future, the association will strengthen cooperation with the governments of the two countries and relevant agencies to build a sustainable business environment, and expand its network in Japan as well as in the world.Established in September 2013, VJBA is a non-profit organisation representing Vietnamese businesses in Japan and connecting Vietnamese and Japanese firms./.

HÀ NỘI — Cybersecurity experts have warned of the risks of personal data leaks after a surge in sharing photos on an application that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to create animated images for entertainment. From that information, it was possible to summarise your habits, schedules or movements, so people should consider if they did not want their personal information to be leaked, he added. He said people should be cautious when sharing their personal data, especially facial data as well as those of their loved ones. Việt Khôi, an information technology expert said the trend of photo editing is not new, it is essentially a form of collecting user personal data. Recently, there are many warnings of online scams, which use collected personal data to build trust with victims, he said.

- Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and First Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia Vladimir Titov co-chaired the 12th Vietnam-Russia defense and security strategy dialogue in Moscow on August 29.While in Moscow, Vu paid a courtesy visit to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and met former Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov.At the working sessions, the two sides expressed their delight at the positive developments of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership over the past time, and affirmed the importance the two countries attach to forging all-round cooperation.They agreed to make efforts to implement the bilateral cooperation, making it match the comprehensive strategic partnership as well as the time-honored friendship between the two nations, for mutual benefit.In the spirit of high mutual trust and understanding, they held in-depth discussions on regional and international issues of shared concern, saying given regional and global uncertainties, multilateral mechanisms should be carried forward to deal with common challenges.The two sides agreed to step up information exchange and maintain close coordination at international forums, particularly the United Nations, and within the ASEAN-Russia cooperation framework.Vu suggested Russia strengthen its multi-faceted cooperation with ASEAN, and make more contributions to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.On this occasion, the Vietnamese official had a working session with leaders of the City of St. Petersburg, and met Russian friends and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Russia./.

The first exchange was held in Quang Ninh province of Vietnam and Guangxi province of China in 2014. Hanoi painting exhibition marks National DaySome 80 paintings are on display at the Vietnam National Museum of Fine Arts in Hanoi in celebration of the 78th National Day anniversary. Since 2009, the three parties have successfully organised nine meetings of head of supreme audit institutions of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. As part of the visit, the two PMs and their spouses attended a Vietnam - Singapore investment promotion conference; met with outstanding students of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi; and engaged in a dialogue with prominent young leaders from both countries. The book was launched on the occasion of the 92nd founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930 - 2022).

In fact, Vietnamese products have been exported and used in many markets. From raw materials to high-quality products, Việt Nam is now one of the leading wood exporters to the US. BeeFurni is an example showing Việt Nam's strong potential in the wood products market globally. According to a labour force survey by the General Statistics Office in 2020, Việt Nam boasts a significant number of skilled craftsmen. However, to be successful on the global market, the harmonious combination of "what we have" and "what the global market needs and wants" is crucial, Amazon suggests.

HÀ NỘI - Shares extended gains on Tuesday, spurred by the growth of market heavy-weights and the oil stock group. On the Hồ Chí Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE), the VN-Index rose 0.23 per cent, to close at 1,204.43 points. Up to 281 stocks on the southern bourse ticked up, while 203 ticker symbols went down. Energy stocks also attracted cash flow with many gainers such as PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation (PVS), PetroVietnam Drilling and Well Services Corporation (PVD), and Drilling Mud Joint Stock Corporation (PVC). Investors poured over VNĐ2 trillion into the northern bourse, equivalent to a trading volume of nearly 104 million shares.

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam's rare earth mining industry will likely experience rapid growth in the near future, according to industry experts, as demand has been on the rise steadily in the last few decades. As the global economy makes a shift to greener and more environmentally friendly energy, rare earth has become a much sought-after commodity on the international market. According to several studies, China could possess up to 90 per cent of the entire world's reserve of rare earth. In December 2014, a licence was granted to the Lai Châu Rare Earth Joint Stock Company and their Japanese partner to start the extraction of rare earth ores from a site in the province, which was said to be capable of large-scale industrial operation. Last September, the province hosted a delegation of South Korean experts on rare earth mining to discuss the potential of investment.

Politics President of Thai Privy Council supports friendship with Vietnam President of the Privy Council of Thailand Surayud Chulanont received Vietnamese Ambassador Phan Chi Thanh in Bangkok on August 29, showing his high evaluation of and support for the friendship and enhanced strategic partnership between the two countries. Politics Singaporean PM concludes official visit to Vietnam Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, his spouse, and their entourage wrapped up their three-day official visit to Vietnam, made at the invitation of PM Pham Minh Chinh, on late August 29. Politics State leader welcomes new ambassadors of Ireland, Italy, RoK, Lithuania President Vo Van Thuong received the newly accredited ambassadors of Ireland, Italy, the Republic of Korea (RoK), and Lithuania who came to present their credentials in Hanoi on August 29. Politics Vietnam, China to hold 8th border defence friendship exchange in September The eighth border defence friendship exchange between Vietnam and China is scheduled to take place in Vietnam’s northern province of Lao Cai and its neighbouring Chinese province of Yunnan on September 7 - 8.

According to Ambassador Nga, two-way trade between Vietnam and Kazakhstan has been growing by about 28% on average each year. PM Lee, for his part, affirmed that Singapore always values and wishes to strengthen its strategic partnership with Vietnam. The two Governments should consider to expand the model of Vietnam - Singapore industrial parks (VSIP) in the green - clean - smart direction towards developing an industrial - urban ecosystem, NA Chairman Hue stressed. It will continue to build and develop a close and sustainable relationship between Vietnam and Singapore in which Becamex IDC Corporation and Sembcorp are founding shareholders, which have contributed to developing the Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) model across the country for more than 27 years. Congratulating Vietnam on the coming National Day (September 2), Ahmed bin Aqeel-Khateeb highlighted the two countries’ cooperation results for the last over 20 years.

HÀ NỘI — Foreign investment inflows into Việt Nam in the first eight months of this year reached nearly US$18.15 billion, up 8.2 per cent year-on-year, according to the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment revealed. Real estate came second with over $1.76 billion, down 47 per cent year-on-year or making up 9.7 per cent of the total. It was followed by science and technology with $800 million, up 29 per cent year-on-year. Accumulated to August 20, 2023, the whole country was home to 38,084 valid foreign-invested projects with a total registered capital of $453.26 billion. The accumulated realised capital of foreign investment projects topped $277.1 billion, equalling 63.3 per cent of the total valid registered investment capital.

President Vo Van Thuong (R) and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (Photo: VNA)- President Vo Van Thuong has hailed the significance of the ongoing Vietnam visit by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, saying that it creates a new driving force to lift bilateral ties to a greater height.During a reception in Hanoi on August 28 for the Singaporean leader, President Thuong said his visit takes place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of strategic partnership. Read full story - National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue met with visiting Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in Hanoi on August 28, during which he underlined the necessity for the two countries to effectively implement their partnership in green economy - digital economy established in February this year.The Vietnamese top legislator stressed that Singaporean PM Lee’s official visit holds special significance in the year when the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1973-2023). Read full story - National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue chaired a working session in Hanoi on August 28 on preparations for the ninth Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians, slated for September 14-18 in the capital city.As of August 28, 64 delegations registered for the event, with a total of 244 attendees, including 172 legislators and 72 assistants and others, according to a report presented by Chairman of the NA Committee for External Relations Vu Hai Ha. Read full story - General Director of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Vu Viet Trang and Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat signed a communication cooperation programme between the two offices for the 2023-2026 period, at a ceremony in Hanoi on August 28.Trang underlined the important role of science and technology in promoting innovation, affirming that as the national news agency, the VNA has always accompanied the ministry in implementing innovation policies. Read full story

The draft circular on standards for higher education, proposed by the Ministry of Education and Training in 2021, has gained significant attention from higher education institutions as it will set the requirements that universities must achieve. Higher education standards differ from quality assurance standards in terms of purpose, nature, content, and implementation process. In simple terms, higher education standards include specific operational parameters of a university. Higher education standards are minimum requirements that every institution must meet, while the evaluation and assurance depend on each institution's mission and goals. The indicators of higher education standards need to be monitored and published annually for students and society.

The meeting between Director General of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Vu Viet Trang and representatives from the Governments of the French-Speaking Community of Belgium (Wallonie-Bruxelles) and the Walloon Region in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Director General of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Vu Viet Trang on August 28 had a meeting with a delegation from the Governments of the French-Speaking Community of Belgium (Wallonie-Bruxelles) and the Walloon Region in Vietnam. Telling her guests about the development of the VNA, Trang said that it was officially established on September 15, 1945. The Wallonie-Bruxelles government highly values the cooperative relationship with the VNA, taking the new agency as its important partner. He said that he will subsequently inform Belgium’s King and Queen as well as Vietnamese leaders about the cooperation relation with the VNA./.