A graphic image of Vinhomes Ocean Park in Hanoi (Photo: VinhomesNguyen Quang Duc (left), Deputy General Director for Business and Marketing of Vinhomes, represents the firm to receive the award (Photo: Vinhomes)– Vinhomes JSC was honoured as one of the top 10 property developers in Vietnam at the recent BCI Asia Awards ceremony for 2020 - 2021, the 7th straight time this company has secured the prize.The annual BCI Asia Awards is one of the most prestigious of its kind in the construction sector in the region. Its Top Ten Developers Award is bestowed on the developers with great influence on the construction market of each country.To win the awards, candidates must meet such strict criteria as developing high-standard and environmentally friendly buildings and showing their community responsibility in the places their projects are located in. The awards also highly value the firms that have obtained green building certificates granted by prestigious organisations.According to award organisers, Vinhomes, an affiliate of the Vingroup conglomerate, has established itself as a pioneer in building and operating large-scale and leading residential projects in the region, helping promote the development in big cities in line with development trends in Vietnam and the world.In 2021, it made new strides when pushing ahead with the all-in-one residential area model in Vinhomes Ocean Park and Vinhomes Smart City in Hanoi, and Vinhomes Grand Park in Ho Chi Minh City./.

In Mang Den Village, Kon Plong District, Kon Tum Province, travelers can immerse themselves in cold climate, fresh air and beauty of nature on a caravan. - SGT Photos: Nhan TamOur cars reached Mang Den Village when the sun was sinking slowly behind a mountain. Kon Klor is the largest stilt house in Kon Tum Province and the Central Highlands region. This house is the largest in Kon Tum Province and, arguably, the Central Highlands. Source: SGTMang Den, an attractive eco-tourism destination in Kon Tum Mang Den is a small town surrounded by mountains and rich forest flora.

Indonesia is the world's top producer and exporter of palm oil (Photo: https://www.thesundaily.my/)- Indonesia has imposed a rule starting on January 27 for a mandatory portion of palm oil to be sold domestically at a maximum price of 9,300 rupiah (0.6465 USD) per kg for crude palm oil and 10,300 rupiah per kg for olein, according to Indonesia n Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi.The requirement comes as Indonesia - the world's top producer and exporter of palm oil, tries to contain a rise in domestic cooking oil prices that have climbed about 40 percent from a year earlier, in line with high global prices.Speaking at a virtual press conference on the same day, Lutfi said a so-called Domestic Market Obligation (DMO) will be applied to all cooking oil producers, which must sell 20 percent of their planned exports to the domestic market.With this policy, Indonesia hopes cooking oil prices will be more stable and affordable for the people while remaining profitable for sellers, distributors and producers, he added.According to Lutfi, the national cooking oil demand is estimated at 5.7 million kilolitres in 2022.Previously, the Indonesian government has imposed an export permit requirement for international palm oil shipments which could be obtained after companies declared their domestic distribution plan for six months.Also on January 27, the Indonesian Trade Ministry announced that it will impose a set of maximum retail prices for cooking oil starting from February 1./.

A MOET report showed that 92 percent of universities used results of high school finals, and 77 percent of universities consider high school reports to enroll students. As such, the enrollment methods have not changed much over the last two years. IELTS, TOEFL not the only criteriaAccording to Thuy, most schools now use different enrollment methods to select the best students. Most schools consider students’ school reports and high school final exam results as well. However, as the watchdog agency, MOET has recommended that schools, while applying new enrollment methods, need to ensure stability and avoid causing disturbances.

Age of Learning, Inc. and Galaxy Education have announced a partnership to launch ABCmouse English in Vietnam. In Vietnam, that partner is Galaxy Education, the top digital education platform in the country,” he added. “We conducted a rigorous global search to find the most effective English language learning program and one of the roads led to Age of Learning and ABCmouse English. The company is expanding globally, beginning with its English language learning program ABCmouse English. Galaxy Education is a subsidiary of Galaxy Entertainment & Education Corporation in Vietnam.

Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha (Photo: VNA)Vietnam supports contents of the global biodiversity framework and suggested the need for further research to complete its indicators, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha said at a working session in Hanoi on January 26.At the meeting, Minister Ha and Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti , head of the European Union Delegation to Vietnam , discussed the implementation of the framework and orientations for Vietnam-EU cooperation in implementing Vietnam’s commitments following the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).The minister noted that to carry out the framework, it is necessary to set up implementation measures and resources mobilisation mechanisms; boost collaboration and information exchange; and build capacity for developing or least developed countries to fulfil related requirements.Ha affirmed that Vietnam's commitments at COP26 are very important, serving the country's long-term interests in line with the orientation of the 13th National Party Congress on building a green and circular economy.Vietnam recommended the EU and its member states pay attention to cooperation with Vietnam in regard to COP26’s outcomes, the official said. Such joint work should revolve around the implementation of projects on energy and clean transport conversion, conservation, afforestation, and climate change adaptation.There is also a need to increase activities serving business capacity improvement; guiding the standards for climate change response and sustainable development of goods imported into the European market; and developing the carbon market, among others, he added.For his part, Aliberti shared the EU's views and expectations for the framework, and discussed the orientations for COP26-related cooperation between the bloc and the ministry.He also talked about a working visit to Vietnam by Executive Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans, which is scheduled for February 17-23./.

Ministries asked to use only one medical declaration app to prevent traffic jamAt Tan Son Nhat Airport, HCM City. The Ministry must follow the direction of the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam about the quick test for passengers before boarding and after disembarking. "On January 23, as many as 25 flights were delayed at Tan Son Nhat Airport airport," CAAV said. Books on Party Congress documents in seven languages launchedBooks on the 13th National Party Congress documents in seven foreign languages have been launched in Hanoi on January 24. Vietnam records 15,743 new COVID-19 infectionsA total of 15,743 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Vietnam on January 25, bringing the country’s tally to 2,171,527.

Business Hanoi supports US firms to make investment, expand operations A senior official of Hanoi has highlighted the capital city’s support for US businesses’ investment and operations while meeting with a representative from the US Embassy in Vietnam. Business First instant noodle product made from dragon fruit produced Scientists from the Centre for Experiment and Practice under the Ho Chi Minh City University of Food Industry (HUFI) have successfully researched and produced the first instant noodle product with dragon fruit ingredient in Vietnam. Business Vietnam Airlines resumes commercial flights to France National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has officially reopened direct services between France and Vietnam, with the first commercial flight after nearly two years of hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic departing from Paris on January 25, just a week before Tet (Lunar New Year) - the biggest and longest festival of Vietnam. Business Reference exchange rate up 10 VND The State Bank of Vietnam set the daily reference exchange rate for the US dollar at 23,076 VND/USD on January 26, up 10 VND from the previous day.

Digital technology has found its way into every governmental, economic and social activity, says Deputy Minister of Information and Telecommunications Nguyen Huy Dung. In Quang Ninh, the chairman of the provincial People’s Committee can check progress of public administrative services delivery from his office through a digital system.At an early stage, the national digital transformation and the journey towards a digital economy and society still have a long way to go. Many hospitals now provide digital health records, remote health services and e-payments.Do Cong Anh, Director of the Ministry of Information and Telecommunications’ Information Technology Application, emphasised that it is not only about technology and equipment but also regulatory frameworks, policies, awareness and personnel. Technology only contributes some 20 percent to an organisation’s successful digital transformation while the remaining 80 percent depends on its awareness and how its personnel translate digital plans into reality, according to Anh.By 2030, Vietnam sets to develop a e-government and digital economy which contributes around 30 percent to the GDP. The country also aims to be among the top 50 countries in e-government development and the third in ASEAN by the end of this decade./.

A Hatinh langur, an endangered primates species is released at a forest in central Vietnam. All of these efforts are to establish safe corridors for species to thrive.Community awareness-raising activities about wildlife and primates are regularly carried out in communities that live close to the species’ habitats, as well as with other key stakeholders at the national level. Besides providing conservation knowledge, WWF’s campaigns in Vietnam also encourage public changes in behaviour and engage local communities to protect their primates.Many other conservation organisations are protecting, researching, rescuing and restoring the unique primates in the region. Fauna and Flora International is working extensively in Vietnam and Myanmar to monitor and protect threatened primates in key locations.The Endangered Primate Rescue Centre in Cuc Phuong, in the northern Ninh Binh province of Vietnam, is rescuing and working on breeding threatened species to reintroduce them to the wild. Closing forests and high-risk wildlife markets, for example, will help recover wildlife populations and maintain local and global biodiversity that naturally help regulate disease, as well as help ensure sustainable use of natural resources.To support the fight against COVID-19, citizens are highly recommended not to buy, sell or consume wildlife products./.

Dr Nguyen Van Hieu (Photo: laodong.vn) Hanoi (VNA) -He authored hundreds of research works in quantum field theory and theory of solids, with many published in prestigious international journal. Dr Hieu is also the person who laid the foundation for the development of physics research in the country. He was former President of the Dr Nguyen Van Hieu , who was an academician with major contributions to Vietnam’s scientific development , passed away on January 23. He was former President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) and the founder and Rector of the University of Engineer and Technology, Vietnam National University-Hanoi. A collection of the scientist's research works has been awarded the Ho Chi Minh Prize.

A representative of young workers in HCM City presents Tet gifts to Lao and Cambodia n students (Photo: VNA)– Students of Laos and Cambodia in Ho Chi Minh City have received many gifts on the occasion of the traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) of Vietnam.The gifts were presented by young workers of the HCM City Power Corporation which also signed an agreement with the dormitory of Lao students to organise many cultural and sports exchanges between local young workers and students of Laos and Cambodia in celebration of the traditional New Year festivals of the three countries.At the event, participants learned about the Tet customs of Vietnam through playing folk games, making traditional dishes, and trying calligraphy.The activity was also meant to give spiritual support to Lao and Cambodian students who have to be far away from their families for a long time due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact.On January 23, the HCM City Confederation of Labour held several Tet celebrations for disadvantaged workers who are unable to return to their hometowns to welcome the first days of the Year of the Tiger./.

The Vietnam Pepper Association (VPA) is considering importing pepper from neighbouring countries to ensure sufficient supply for domestic processing, according to Chairman Nguyen Hai Nam. Last year, Vietnam’s pepper imports from Cambodia soared 111 percent compared to 2020, he said. Pepper output in Cambodian provinces bordering with Vietnam can reach 30,000 tonnes per year. Despite the fact that the number only accounts for one-tenth of Vietnam’s output, it can help ease the shortage in the coming time. In 2021, Vietnam exported 260,000 tonnes of pepper for some 950 million USD, down 9 percent in volume and up 44 percent in value against 2020./.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology has advanced at lightning speed over the past decade and has become the hot topic of many domestic and international seminars. But the question remains; how to boost the development of AI companies in Viet Nam? “I find in Viet Nam it is easier to collect, clean and label data than in many other countries. I wondered 'can we actually build a world-class AI research lab in Viet Nam, a developing country? “Three years later, I think we can safely say that VinAI is now an established world-class AI research lab.

Many startup businesses in Vietnam have chosen technological products and services as their development direction and have achieved impressive results so far. In 2021, Elsa was successful in its Series B funding round to attract US$15 million from Vietnam Investments Group and SIG. Among the 800 startup unicorns in the world, four come from Vietnam, namely VNG, Sky Mavis, VNLife and M_Service. Vietnamese startups can now enjoy a rich capital source from both large domestic corporations or trading boosting organizations and international investors like VSV Capital - Vietnam Silicon Valley, Mekong Capital, 500 Startups Vietnam, Vietnam Investment Group, IDG Ventures Vietnam, Nextrans. Another example is the 22-milion-dollar investment of VNG startup unicorn in Telio – a B2B e-commerce platform.